Research foraging ability for pest control or pasturing

Choose breeds with strong foraging instincts if you want ducks to control slugs, snails, and insects or plan to pasture them. Indian Runners are the premier foraging breed — they actively patrol and can clear a garden of slugs within days. Khaki Campbells and Welsh Harlequins are also excellent foragers that cover ground efficiently. Heavier breeds like Pekins and Rouens are less active and tend to stay closer to food and water sources.

Why It Works

Ducks are more effective pest controllers than chickens because they eat slugs, snails, and many insects that chickens ignore. Their broad, flat bills are adapted for scooping prey from soil and shallow water. A small flock of active foraging ducks can significantly reduce slug populations in a garden or orchard without the soil damage that chickens cause from scratching. Ducks forage with a side-to-side dabbling motion rather than scratching.

Tips

• Best foragers: Indian Runner, Khaki Campbell, Welsh Harlequin
• Moderate foragers: Silver Appleyard, Saxony, Muscovy
• Least active foragers: Pekin, Rouen, Call duck
• Active foragers need more securely fenced areas — Runners can cover surprising distances
• Supervise ducks in vegetable gardens since they will eat tender seedlings and leafy greens along with the pests