【Objective】Effects of small swarm breeding on protecting waterfowl cultivar resources were explored to provide references for studying new cultivar protection methods of breed conservation organizations. 【Method】Small swarm breeding technology was used as breed conservation method. The production traits of five laying ducks （Jinding Duck， Shan shelduck， Jingjiang shelduck， Guangxismall shelduck， Youxian Duck） conserved in National Gene Bank of Waterfowl Resources （Jiangsu） were detected for two generations. 【Result】The results showed that the difference was not significant （P>0.05，the same below） in the same waterfowl species between the two generations. Growth speed remained almost the same. No obvious differences were observed in body type indicators （body slope length， breast depth， breast width， fossil bone length， pelvis width， shank length， half-diving depth）. Regarding breeding traits， the total performance of resources protection under small swarm breeding was superior with no evident differences among the two generations. The production traits of cultivars were well maintained. 【Conclusion】It was concluded that the small swarm breeding was practicable for waterfowl protection.