Are we expounding the virtues of ducks now? Let's see where to begin... ducks, being waterfowl, are nearly waterproof and far hardier in cold/wet climates than some of their poultry cousins.
Multiple breeds have been started from the indian runner lines to be excellent egg layer. A line of khaki campbells (my avatar is a KC) was reported to lay on average over 320 eggs a year. Ducks are supposed to lay for 3-4 years. Duck eggs are widely known as one of the best baking eggs (more protein in whites equals fluffier baked goods).
They love slugs and snails, and any grubs and beetles I dig up while in the garden.
Now in fair warning, ducks are far messier than chickens. They need more water and bowls of water so their heads can be fully submerged. The dabbler ducks will turn an area around a water bowl or pool into a mud pit in no time. Their water will also be the color of dirt after 5 minutes. No pond needed though, mine seem to do fine with a $10 kiddie pool, but that is also an extra chore of having to dump it and fill it every other day in the summer. Of course you can use that to your advantage if you have a garden down hill from the pool...
