Difference between chickens and ducks

[UncleHoot]

My neighbor had 3 Pekin ducks that he didn't want. They're about 12 weeks old, and I'm planning to process them this weekend.

I know how everything works with chickens. Can I assume that ducks are pretty similar internally? Are there any differences that I should be warned about?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[DanIndiana]

I've just heard alot of duck people talk about the waxing being quite a pain, and that makes ducks take alot longer

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

I would appreciate some pics and a description of your experience with the ducks. They grow so much faster than CX even it's tempting to hatch them for meat.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Butchering is similar to chickens. Scald water has to be a bit hotter and scalding takes longer. A bit of dish soap in the water helps.

Ducks are waterproof, so The challenge is to get the hot water down to the skin.

Duck wax helps a lot if you butcher at a time that the duck has pin feathers. If there are no pin feathers, you won't need the wax.