Have you found yourself wondering about ducks? Maybe you are considering adding a duck to your homestead and want to know how long they live? Are you curious and want to know more? No matter what the reason is that brought you here, I have the answers for you!
Finding out how long ducks live can be tricky, especially if you have little to no experience with ducks. You head online to find out more and gain a second opinion, but are met with pages and pages of confusing and contradicting information.
Frustrated and overwhelmed, you wonder if you will ever know how long ducks live.
Well, no more! Today, I am here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out how long ducks live and everything you need to know about them.
I will walk you through the different types of ducks and their lifespan along with factors that impact their lifespan. Get ready to become a duck expert today!
How Long Do Ducks Live?
Let’s dive straight into it! How long ducks live depends on the breed of duck!
On average, a duck has a lifespan of five to ten years, but this varies dramatically depending on the duck.
To help you see how long different ducks live for, I have broken down the average lifespans depending on breed for you to check out below.
Let’s check out the different breeds and how long they live for now!
Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)
Let’s start with the Mallard duck! In the wild, Mallards can live anywhere from five to ten years. However, if they are well cared for in a homestead environment, Mallards can live for up to thirty years!
That’s quite a difference in their lifespan, but remember, this all depends on how well they are cared for.
Khaki Campbell Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
Khaki campbell ducks are long livers! They have been reported to live for up to fifteen years. Although they can live for this time, we typically see them live for eight to ten years.
Indian Runner Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
Domesticated Indian runner ducks can live up to twelve years of age. Their average sits between eight to twelve years. In the wild, their lifespans are much shorter. An Indian runner duck has an average lifespan of 1 to 2 years in the wild. That’s quite a contrast to their lifespan when they are domesticated!
Call Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
Call ducks tend to have an average lifespan of seven to ten years. Just like other duck breeds, there are reports that they live longer, but on average, a call duck will live for 7 to 10 years.
Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
Pekin, or white ducks, usually have a lifespan of five to ten years. In some cases, we do see Pekin ducks that live for twenty years, but anywhere between five to ten years seems to be the norm.
It’s worth noting that some people refer to Pekin ducks as yellow ducks too. When they are young ducklings they have a yellow coloring that fades to white as they age. Yellow ducks will have the same lifespan as white ducks, as they are the same breed.
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
You may have noticed that the scientific name for most of these ducks is Anas platyrhynchos domesticus.
Anas is the family name for ducks.
Anas platyrhynchos is the scientific name for the Mallard duck.
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus is the name given to mallard type ducks that have been bred for domestication purposes. They all look slightly different but are descended from Mallards.
What Impacts The Lifespan Of A Duck?
There are a few factors that will impact the lifespans that I outlined earlier.
Let’s take a quick look at these now, so you can see the areas you need to pay close attention to when caring for your duck.
It’s worth noting that these factors apply to ducks living on a homestead.
Now, the environment might vary from homestead to homestead, but these are common areas that can increase your ducks’ lifespan.
Nutrition
Knowing what to feed your duck at different points in its life can help to boost their lifespan.
For ducklings, they should be fed duck starter, a product designed to feed your baby ducks and provide them with the nutrients they need! They should be fed this for the first few weeks of their life, before transitioning to grower.
You will also want to provide your ducks with plenty of greens and protein as they grow. These help to boost their energy levels and provide them with the vitamins they need. You will also want to feed them grit which aids in their digestion.
If you are unsure, seek advice from your local vetinarian.
Wellbeing
As a duck owner, it is your responsibility to care for their wellbeing. Not only does that include food and shelter, but quality of life.
Make sure your duck can access other ducks, allowing them to socialize. They also need plenty of room to roam, so don’t coop them up in small spaces.
If your ducks are kept in a coop, move it often to provide them with fresh grass and a change of scenery. This does wonders to their health and happiness!
You will also want to ensure your duck has regular check ups and any supplements you need to combat diseases are regularly purchased and administered.
Shelter
Finally, you need to ensure that your duck has access to appropriate shelter and housing.
Ducks tend to huddle together when they sleep, so you will want a duck house that has plenty of space for them (I recommend 12 – 18 square feet for four to six ducks). You will want to ensure that the duck housing is well protected against any predators and clean for your ducks to stay in.
Make sure any waste is cleared away regularly and that that house is cleaned to prevent any diseases. It’s also worth ensuring any openings or not in the direction of the wind to keep your ducks warm and dry in bad weather.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, everything you need to know about the lifespan of ducks!
Ducks generally live for five to ten years, but this lifespan varies depending on the breed and whether they are domesticated or living in the wild.
Make sure you are providing the correct care for your duck to ensure the best quality of life!
FAQ
Ducks have the potential to live up to 20 years in ideal conditions, but the average lifespan of a domesticated duck is typically 8 to 12 years.
It is extremely rare for ducks to live up to 30 years. The average lifespan of a domesticated duck is 8 to 12 years, while wild ducks generally have shorter lifespans due to environmental factors such as predators and diseases.
The longest lifespan of a duck on record is 28 years and 3 months, held by a domesticated mallard named Methuselah. Methuselah was kept as a pet in the United Kingdom and was documented by the Guinness World Records as the oldest duck in the world. Please note, this is the oldest duck on record.
Muscovy ducks typically have a lifespan of 8 to 12 years, which is similar to the average lifespan of most domesticated ducks. However, in ideal conditions and with proper care, Muscovy ducks have the potential to live up to 20 years.
Pekin ducks, also known as Long Island ducks, typically have a lifespan of 8 to 12 years, which is similar to the average lifespan of most domesticated ducks. However, in ideal conditions and with proper care, Pekin ducks have the potential to live up to 20 years.
Typically, pet ducks out live wild ducks due to various factors, including diet, genetics, living conditions, and access to veterinary care. On average a pet duck can live 12-15 years but it has been recorded for some ducks to live as much as 28 years.
