Waterfowl: ducks and geese
Practical, characterful, and easier to keep than you'd think. We breed a small, seasonal range of backyard ducks and geese alongside our chickens.
Ducks and geese bring something chickens can't: natural pest control, low-maintenance grazing, and genuine character. We breed a small, seasonal range of backyard quality waterfowl on our farm, including Pekin and Muscovy ducks and Emden and Toulouse geese. None of them need a dam; a tub or trough with fresh water is enough. Availability is limited and seasonal, so join our waitlist to find out when ducklings or goslings are ready.
Chickens are the heart of what we do, but they're not the whole flock. A handful of times a year, we breed a small range of backyard quality ducks and geese too, for anyone after a bit more variety, some genuine pest control, or a breed with real personality.
We currently breed Pekin and Muscovy ducks, and Emden and Toulouse geese, in small numbers and on a seasonal basis. If chickens are your main game but you're curious about adding waterfowl to the mix, here's what to know.
Pekin ducks
Origin: Developed in China, popularised in the West as the American Pekin.
Temperament: Calm, friendly, easygoing.
Best for: First-time duck keepers, mixed flocks with chickens.
Pekin ducks are the classic large white duck most people picture when they think of backyard ducks. Calm and fast-growing, they're a genuine dual-purpose bird, reliable layers and a solid meat bird too.
They're active foragers, easy to care for, and settle in well alongside chickens, which makes them a reasonable first duck for someone new to keeping waterfowl.
Muscovy ducks
Origin: South and Central America; a distinct species from other domestic ducks.
Temperament: Quiet, independent, strong broody instincts.
Best for: Low-noise properties, natural pest control, hands-off keepers.
Muscovy ducks don't quack. Instead, they make a quiet hissing sound, which makes them a genuinely good option for a suburban or noise-conscious property.
They're a large, muscular breed known for excellent meat qualities and a strong instinct to forage independently and raise their own ducklings with minimal help. Muscovies are also useful for pest control around the garden, and like Pekins, they don't need a dam, just a tub or trough deep enough to dunk their heads in.
Emden (Embden) geese
Origin: Germany, developed for size and meat production.
Temperament: Confident, alert, can be assertive.
Best for: Guarding other poultry, open paddocks, experienced keepers.
Emden geese are large, striking white birds known for fast growth and impressive size. They make effective guardians for other poultry and do a good job of natural weed control in open paddocks.
They can be more assertive than other waterfowl, including toward other geese, so they're best kept in their own pair or small group rather than mixed with a gentler breed like the Toulouse. They need plenty of space to roam.
Toulouse geese
Origin: Toulouse, France; developed as a heavier, slower-growing breed.
Temperament: Gentle, calm, friendly.
Best for: Smaller farms, mixed flocks, keepers after a docile goose.
Toulouse geese are a heavier, slower-moving breed with a genuinely gentle temperament, which makes them a better fit than an Emden for a smaller property or a mixed flock.
They're reliable grazers, good for keeping pasture tidy, and can be kept as much for their calm company as for eggs or meat. They do well in pairs and are relatively low-maintenance, provided they have clean water, shelter, and a secure paddock.
Why choose waterfowl?
Natural foragers
Ducks and geese forage for slugs, snails, and insects, cutting down the need for chemical control.
Low maintenance
Generally tough and disease-resistant, with minimal intervention needed once settled.
GENUINELY PRODUCTIVE
More than one kind of return, even from a small backyard flock.
REAL PERSONALITY
From waddling Pekins to honking Toulouse, waterfowl bring a different kind of company to the yard.
Ready to buy backyard quality waterfowl poultry in Australia?
We breed backyard quality Pekin and Muscovy ducks, and Emden and Toulouse geese, in small numbers and on a seasonal basis rather than year-round. Waterfowl are a smaller part of what we do compared to our chickens, so availability is genuinely limited.
Join our waitlist to be notified when birds from any of these breeds are ready, and let us know which breed you're after. Got a question before then? We're always happy to talk ducks and geese as well as chooks. Get in touch and we'll help you work out whether waterfowl are the right fit for your property.
Join Our Backyard Waitlist →Frequently asked questions
Do you need a dam to keep ducks or geese?
No. This is the question we get asked most, and the answer tends to surprise people. A simple tub, trough, or kiddie pool with fresh water is enough, as long as it's deep enough for them to dunk their heads in, which matters for preening and eye health.
What they do need is dry shelter, secure fencing, especially overnight, and appropriate feed and bedding. Get those basics right and waterfowl are genuinely low-maintenance.
Do Muscovy ducks quack?
No. Muscovies make a quiet hissing sound instead, which makes them a good option for noise-conscious or suburban properties.
Can ducks and geese live with chickens?
Ducks generally mix well with chickens. Geese can be kept alongside chickens too, though their size and confidence means they're often better in their own group, particularly Emden geese.
Are geese good guard animals?
Geese, particularly Emden geese, are naturally alert and can be effective at alerting you to visitors or predators, though they're not a substitute for secure fencing.
What's the difference between Emden and Toulouse geese?
Emden geese are more assertive and better suited to guarding, while Toulouse geese are calmer and a better fit for a mixed flock or smaller property.
How many eggs do Pekin ducks lay?
Pekins are among the better-laying duck breeds, though egg numbers vary depending on the line and conditions. They're kept as much for meat as for eggs.
Where can I buy ducks and geese in Australia?
Join our waitlist to be notified when Pekin or Muscovy ducks, or Emden or Toulouse geese are ready. Availability is seasonal and limited, so we recommend joining even if you're not in a rush.
Do you deliver waterfowl Australia-wide?
We don't deliver birds ourselves. Local pickup is available from our designated pickup point in Bargo, NSW. For biosecurity reasons, the farm itself isn't open to visitors. For keepers further away, we meet your chosen transport company to get birds safely on their way, anywhere in Australia.
Do you sell fertile eggs?
No, we don't sell eggs of any kind, fertile or otherwise. We sell ducklings, goslings, and well-started birds only.
Join Our Backyard Poultry Waitlist
Tell us which breed you're after and we'll be in touch as soon as ducklings or goslings are ready.