Duck Q & A: Quack and Answer

Duck has found its popularity all over the world with China and France being some of the most popular locations for finding duck on the menu. However, ducks' popularity in the U.S. is starting to grow and more people are asking questions about it. Is it healthy for you? What can I make with it? What farming practices are used? Is duck red meat?

Those are just a few questions we hear about duck and that is why we are here to help you!

What kind of ducks do we raise?

To know what to ask questions about, it is important to know what the product is first. Here at Maple Leaf Farms, we raise the White Pekin duck breed. Our White Pekin ducks originate from the Long Island Pekin ducks brought over to the U.S. from China in the 1800s. The two other common breeds of meat ducks are Muscovy or Moulard (Foie Gras). We do not produce or raise these ducks, as we believe it goes against the core principles of animal well-being in our Trident Stewardship Program.

Is duck healthy?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether duck is even healthy. The White Pekin duck is a healthy and nutritious alternative to other meats since it is lower in fat and calories compared to other meats. Duck fat is rich in monounsaturated fats (similar to olive oil) and very low in saturated fat. Since the fat is mainly in the skin, it can be easily rendered off or removed prior to cooking. A skinless duck breast is only 110 calories per 4 oz. serving and 2 g of fat total, making it lower in calories and fat than chicken breast. Duck also contains more essential nutrients like iron and selenium per serving than most other meats and poultry.

Why is duck considered a red meat?

While duck is poultry, it is very different from chicken and turkey because it's a red meat. This means that a well-prepared duck breast eats more like steak than chicken and is slightly pink in the center when properly cooked. Other red meats are higher in saturated fat and less lean than duck, making duck a great red healthy red meat alternative as well a great poultry alternative if you are looking to change things up in the kitchen.

Do you have a Halal option?

Yes. Our certified Halal Whole Duck is the perfect option to embrace your culinary creativity or create a delicious special meal. Cook whole, cut up for breast & legs, or even roast the carcass for duck stock. Our Halal Whole Duck is produced following the principles and values of the Muslim community and is certified by Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO).

Can I freeze fresh duck products?

Yes. According to USDA, consumers need to use fresh poultry products within 1-2 days of the ‘sell by’ or ‘best if used by’ date. You can freeze fresh duck products before the sell by date and the products will be good for up to 2 years.

How long will thawed duck last in the refrigerator?

Most of our fresh duck products will last up to 14 days in the refrigerator, as long as the packaging hasn't been compromised. If there is a hole in the packaging or you have opened the package and chose not to use it that day, the product will last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Our frozen products thawed will last about a week in the fridge when thawed.

Are the ducks we raise free range?

We do not raise our ducks in a free range or open water environment because they are at a high risk for predators. Our ducks are raised in a cage free, free-to-roam environment for their health and safety. They are raised in climate-controlled barns with windows that have access to the outside air. We also want to ensure they eat a healthy diet & drink clean water whenever possible, as ducks will forage anything they find outside on the ground (leading to greater risk of disease and harm to the ducks). Ducks are also much more likely to catch diseases outside, especially in large bodies of water. Indiana winters are brutal, and we do not want the ducks exposed to the extreme weather conditions that Indiana brings. Included in these barns are games and toys for the ducks to provide them mental stimulation and a fun environment because healthy ducks start at the farm. We want to protect our ducks from all of the environmental threats to ensure they are as happy and as healthy as they can be.

Are our ducks given antibiotics or hormones?

NO! Unless under the advice of our licensed veterinarians to treat sick ducks, our ducks are never given antibiotics. Due to the humane beliefs we hold outlined in our Trident Stewardship Program, we want to ensure our ducks are as happy and healthy as possible and the use of antibiotics for growth purposes goes against our values and beliefs. We never have, and we never will give our ducks hormones. Hormones are illegal to give to poultry in the United States. We do not use hormones or any other steroid growth proposants to produce our ducks or duck feed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has banned the use of hormones in raising poultry (chickens, turkeys, duck, and other fowl) since the 1950s. If ducks are given antibiotics for illness, we adhere to a withdrawal period before processing.

As the popularity of duck increases, we wanted to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. As you start to use duck in more of your recipes and it becomes a common protein in your kitchen, your list of questions may grow. In that case, we also provide a list of Expert Tips and Instructional Videos for more help with cooking and preparing duck as well as showing our Farm-to-Fork process as we believe you should always know where your food is coming from. We place much value on having access to updated information on farming practices and new improvements that continue to be made. We want to continue to share knowledge and tasty recipes that have been created with you in mind!