Duck Feed Cost Calculator

Duck feed basics

The single fact that surprises people coming to ducks from chickens: ducks eat significantly more than chickens of similar size. A Pekin at 9 lbs eats about 8.5 oz of feed per day. A Plymouth Rock at 7.5 lbs eats roughly 4 oz. That is not a small gap.

The reason is metabolic. Ducks run higher metabolic rates and use feed less efficiently than chickens, so more of what they eat goes to keeping the bird running rather than into eggs or growth. The flip side is that good layers like the Khaki Campbell convert that feed into a lot of eggs, so the cost per egg stays reasonable even though the bird eats more.

One rule overrides everything else: do not use chicken layer feed. The calcium level is formulated for laying hens and damages duck kidneys over time. This applies even to laying ducks, which get their extra calcium from a free-choice supplement instead.

A note on who built this. I am a software developer, not a commercial waterfowl producer. I built this because the existing online estimates for duck feed cost are vague and usually borrowed from chicken figures that do not transfer. The intake numbers here are calibrated against waterfowl feeding guidance. If you weigh your own feed and your numbers differ, the contact page is at the top of the site.

What feed to use for ducks

• Waterfowl pellets are ideal because they are formulated specifically for ducks.
• All-flock crumble or pellets at 16-18% protein are widely available and acceptable in most situations.
• Unmedicated chick starter is the right choice for ducklings. Never use medicated starter, because medication doses calibrated for chicks can harm ducklings.
• A separate free-choice calcium supplement for laying females, offered on the side rather than mixed into the main feed.

Foraging and feed reduction

Ducks are excellent foragers. On good pasture they eat slugs, insects, weeds, and fallen fruit, and a flock of four ducks on good pasture can reduce commercial feed needs by 30 to 35 percent. Ducks are particularly good at slug control, which makes them a favorite among gardeners who are tired of losing seedlings overnight.

The catch is seasonal. The foraging reduction largely disappears in winter when pasture quality drops, so budget for full commercial feed during the cold months even if your summer feed bill is low.

Cost comparison (ducks vs chickens)

• 4 Khaki Campbell ducks: roughly $20 to $25 per month in feed.
• 6 standard hens: roughly $20 to $25 per month in feed.
• Similar monthly cost, but each Khaki Campbell can lay around 300 eggs per year, more than most chickens.

So while ducks eat more per bird, a small flock of good layers lands at about the same total feed bill as a slightly larger flock of hens while producing a comparable or larger number of eggs.