Stardew Valley is a multifaceted game where farming isn’t just limited to crops; you can also raise animals on your farm. While chickens and cows often receive much attention, ducks are another fantastic option for those who are seeking diversity in their livestock portfolio. One of the unique attributes of ducks is their dual product offerings—duck eggs and duck feathers. However, there’s a fair amount of confusion around these items. This article will dispel the myths and shed light on the mechanics of duck feather and egg drops, how luck factors into it, and how valuable these items truly are in the game.
Duck Basics: Eggs and Feathers
When you buy a new duck, it will start laying eggs in just five days. The frequency of duck egg drops is every two days, providing you with a consistent source of income and ingredients for crafting or cooking. Duck feathers, on the other hand, are considered the duck’s premium product.
A Tale of Two Products
While you may assume that your duck would produce both an egg and a feather at the same time, that’s not the case. It’s either an egg or a feather, not both. This mechanic is similar to how rabbits in Stardew Valley produce wool and rabbit’s feet.
The Rarity and Value of Duck Feathers
Duck feathers may be a premium product, but their market value doesn’t quite match up to other rare items like rabbit’s foot. The price for a duck feather is less than half of that for a rabbit’s foot. Also, when it comes to gifting, only Elliott and Leo love them, Harvey likes them, and for most others, it’s a neutral item. Unlike other items, they can’t be used to craft special objects or set up scenes.
Gifting and Utility
If gifting isn’t your primary concern, then you don’t need to hoard duck feathers. One for the community center and another for selling would suffice. As for duck eggs, you generally need only three: one for the community center, one for selling, and one for crafting into mayonnaise.
Culinary Uses
It’s worth noting that duck eggs serve the same function as chicken eggs in cooking recipes. So if you’re concerned about utility, ducks aren’t a high-demand item.
The Role of Luck and Mood in Feather Drop Rates
Now, let’s delve into how luck and mood influence the drop rates of duck feathers. The approximate formula for duck feather drop rates is:
(Friendship+Mood Modifier)/4750 + Daily Luck + Luck Buff * 0.01
This is quite similar to the formula for rabbit’s foot drops.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Five-star friendship: Adds 21.05% to the drop rate
- Each heart: Contributes 4.21% to the drop rate
- Mood at 255: Adds a mood modifier of 382.5, increasing the drop rate by 8.05%
If you maintain a maximum mood and a five-star friendship with your duck, you can expect a 10% or higher drop rate for duck feathers. Daily luck can further influence this percentage by anywhere from -10% to +12.5%.
Luck Buffs
When it comes to luck boosts, ducks are not as favored as rabbits. While equipping two luck rings can add 2% to the drop rate for a rabbit’s foot, the same doesn’t apply for duck feathers.
Maximized Drop Rates
With all these factors combined, the maximum drop rate for duck feathers could go up to 43.61%. Without luck rings, the late-game average drop rate could be around 31.61%. This is still higher than the drop rate for rabbit’s feet and given that ducks produce every two days, your yield would approximately be double.
Comparing Ducks and Rabbits: Who Wins?
When it comes to gifting items to Elliott and Leo, ducks are more effective than rabbits due to the higher drop rate and more frequent production. However, considering the overall utility and value of the items, rabbits still have the upper hand.
Conclusion
Ducks in Stardew Valley are an intriguing addition to your farm. Though their products—duck feathers and eggs—might not be the most valuable or universally loved, understanding the mechanics of their drops can maximize their utility. With this guide, you can make an informed decision on whether these web-footed creatures deserve a spot on your Stardew Valley farm.
