Magpies: The Perfect Ducks

My journey with Magpie Ducks began in the summer of 2021 when I moved to a small farm in Wichita Falls, Texas. I decided to embark on a duck-keeping adventure, delving into extensive research on various breeds and seeking the perfect fit for our farm. It was during this exploration that I stumbled upon the invaluable resource of The Livestock Conservancy, where I learned about Magpie ducks for the first time.

I was immediately drawn to these enchanting ducks because of their striking plumage and egg-laying abilities. Determined to introduce them to our farm, I eagerly searched for an opportunity to acquire them. I was beginning to become discouraged after looking for over six months. Finally, in December of that year, what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance arrived when I had the chance to purchase "retired" breeders from a hatchery, which I purchased sight unseen. Four days before Christmas of 2021, my excitement reached its peak as I lined up at the post office that morning to pick up my first Magpie ducks that had been shipped from the other side of Texas. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the markings on the drake, and while the female's markings could use some work, I already knew that these ducks would give me ducklings that were fairly well-marked.

The following spring brought the much-anticipated reward of getting eggs for the first time. In March, our Magpie Ducks commenced their egg-laying season, and I was finally able to use the styrofoam incubator that my husband had bought for me for Christmas. Our first hatchling was confirmation of my predictions that the pairings within my original flock of four would produce desirably marked ducklings.

As our farm flourished, so did our Magpie ducks. At its peak, our adult flock boasted nearly 30 individuals, including a small unrelated flock of blue Magpie ducks and their first and second generation offspring. Careful selections were made in order to ensure we were breeding to maintain and enhance the breed's qualities, so we presently have two flocks (one utility line and one exhibition line) and a promising group of grow-outs. Obtaining NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) and TAHC (Texas Animal Health Commission) certification in early 2023 opened new doors for our farm. With these certifications in place, we were able to offer hatching eggs for sale, helping fellow enthusiasts embark on their own Magpie duck journey.

When considering keeping any breed of poultry or waterfowl, the first thing that is usually considered is the quantity of eggs that a single bird may be able to produce over the course of one year. That being said, one of the standout qualities of Magpie Ducks is their exceptional egg-laying capabilities. These diligent layers have earned a reputation for their consistent and abundant production of eggs. Each laying season, we can anticipate the arrival of 220-280 eggs depending on the age of the bird that is laying them.

As for their meat, Magpie Ducks provide a delectable option for those interested in raising ducks for culinary purposes. The succulent meat of Magpie Ducks is highly regarded for its flavor and tenderness, making it a sought-after choice among discerning chefs and culinary enthusiasts. The white feathers allow the breast to be plucked cleanly and easily. It is a light breed of duck, however, so for those wanting more robustly sized cuts of meat, a heavier breed might be a better choice.

In addition to their usage for raising meat or eggs, Magpie ducks possess an ability to control snails and other pests in orchards. As pets, if hand raised as ducklings and handled daily, they can have a calm and friendly temperament, however, I won't hype them up as being the best of all duck breeds in terms of friendliness. In my opinion, any duck, regardless of breed, has an attitude and temperament more influenced by nurture rather than nature. Lastly, because of their lighter weight, I have found my Magpies to have better feed conversion rates than my heavier breeds of ducks.