Description
🐤 Breed Origins
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Developed in England in the late 1800s by Adele Campbell.
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Created by crossing Indian Runner ducks, Rouens, and Mallards to make a duck with superior egg production and decent meat qualities.
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The “Khaki” part came later when she bred for a buff-colored plumage that resembled British army uniforms.
🎨 Appearance
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Color:
Soft, uniform khaki-brown plumage all over. Drakes may have a slightly darker head or slight greenish tint. -
Size:
Medium-sized ducks:-
Hens: ~4–4.5 lbs (1.8–2 kg)
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Drakes: ~4.5–5.5 lbs (2–2.5 kg)
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Shape:
Sleek and upright, but not as vertical as Indian Runners.
🥚 Egg Laying
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Top-tier layers:
Khaki Campbells can lay 250–340+ eggs per year — sometimes even more than chickens. -
Egg color:
Usually white to light greenish. -
Egg size:
Medium to large. -
Early maturity:
Start laying at around 5–6 months of age. -
Broodiness:
Rarely go broody. If you want to hatch ducklings, you’ll likely need an incubator or surrogate mom.
🌿 Temperament & Behavior
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Active and alert:
These ducks love to forage and explore. They’re very energetic, so they thrive in free-range or pasture setups. -
A bit skittish:
Not aggressive, but not super cuddly either. They don’t love being handled unless raised from ducklings with regular interaction. -
Good foragers:
Great at finding their own food if given the chance — slugs, bugs, weeds, etc.
✅ Pros
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Incredible egg layers
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Great feed efficiency
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Good size for small farms
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Hardy and adaptable
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Excellent foragers
⚠️ Cons
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Can be nervous or flighty
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Rarely broody — not ideal for natural hatching
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Need protection from predators due to active nature
🏡 Ideal For:
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Backyard flocks focused on egg production
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Homesteaders who want a self-sustaining flock
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Gardeners who need pest control and fertilization
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Those who want a productive, low-fuss duck
Summary
Khaki Campbells are absolute egg-laying machines with a no-nonsense work ethic and a graceful, khaki-toned look. While they might not sit in your lap, they’ll happily patrol your yard for pests and give you fresh eggs nearly year-round.