Why We Raise Black Swedish Ducks

A quieter, quackier, and highly entertaining addition to the homestead

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We didn’t start with ducks. Like many new homesteaders, we thought we’d raise chickens—but as time went on, we realized chickens weren’t the right fit for us. Between the predators, the noise, and the behavior we saw with our young kids around, it just didn’t feel like the right match for our homestead.

So we took a step back—and looked into ducks. That’s when we discovered the Black Swedish breed, and we were instantly drawn to their calm nature, natural foraging ability, and striking appearance. Almost a year later, we’re completely smitten. They’ve proven to be the perfect fit for our family and land, and they’ve taught us a lot more than we expected along the way.

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Chickens vs. Ducks: Why We Made the Switch

Every homestead is different, and what works beautifully for one family might not for another. For us, chickens just didn’t mesh with our lifestyle or space. Ducks offered us something that fit much better.

Here are a few of the key differences we’ve found:

Ducks require access to water for bathing and grooming, but we’ve found this to be an easy trade-off for their low-maintenance, gentle nature.

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Why We Chose Black Swedish Ducks

Black Swedish ducks are a lesser-known, dual-purpose heritage breed that are currently listed as threatened by the Livestock Conservancy. By raising them, we’re not only getting eggs and companionship—we’re helping preserve a breed with deep agricultural roots.

They’re calm, beautiful, and surprisingly personable. Their markings are unique (some even have heart-shaped white patches on their chests), and they’re fantastic foragers. They help keep our yard clear of slugs, beetles, and other pests—and we’ve seen a noticeable drop in tick activity since adding them to our homestead.

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The Personalities: Big, Bold, and Hilarious

While they’re generally quiet and gentle, they are absolutely full of personality. Each one is a little different, and together they’ve become a highlight of our daily life. They’re especially vocal when they want snacks—more than once, we’ve found them at our front door, quacking at us like they’re placing an order.

They follow us around the yard, wag their tails, waddle through puddles, and sometimes sleep in the strangest (but safest) places. They’re not just functional animals—they’re fun.

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Looking Ahead: A Hopeful Spring

We recently found a clutch of eggs tucked safely in the straw, and we’re hoping one of our girls will go broody this spring. We’d love to see a few ducklings hatch and grow up in the yard—it would be the first generation born here on our land.

Whether or not we end up with ducklings this year, our Black Swedish crew has already earned a permanent place in our homestead life.

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Are Ducks Right for You?

Ducks aren’t for everyone, but they’ve been a perfect fit for us. They’re hardy, low-maintenance, and endlessly entertaining. If you’ve been feeling like chickens might not be the best match for your space, ducks—especially heritage breeds like the Black Swedish—are absolutely worth considering.

And if you already raise ducks, we’d love to hear your stories. Drop a comment or reach out—we could talk duck antics all day.