Khaki Campbell Duck

The Khaki Campbell is one of the best laying ducks in the world, developed in England in the early twentieth century specifically for egg production. As the name suggests, the classic bird is a warm khaki-brown colour, the drake carrying a darker bronze-green head while the duck is a more uniform khaki throughout. They are a medium-sized, streamlined utility duck with an active, alert carriage and a hardy constitution that suits the Northern Irish climate well.

This is the breed to choose for anyone who keeps ducks chiefly for eggs, as a good Khaki Campbell is a remarkably consistent and prolific layer that will often out-produce many laying hens over the course of a year. They are energetic foragers that do much of their own feeding given range, and they are generally hardy and undemanding to keep. They tend to be flighty and busy by nature rather than lap-tame, so they suit a working flock where reliable egg numbers matter most.