Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson encourages men to marry underage girls in video

The reality star recommends finding a girl who can cook a good meal

Phil Roberston with his wife Kay, whom he married when she was 16 (Getty Images)

Reality TV star Phil Robertson has sparked another outcry after encouraging men to marry 15-year-old girls in an online video.

The Duck Dynasty star was suspended from US network A&E’s number one show earlier this month, after he likened homosexuality to bestiality and claimed that Southern blacks were "happy" pre-civil rights in an interview with GQ.

His suspension was lifted last week after 200,000 fans petitioned for his return but now, footage from 2009 has appeared on YouTube showing Robertson speaking in favour of wedding under-age girls.

"You got to marry these girls when they are about 15 or 16. They’ll pick your ducks," the 67-year-old professional hunter says.

"Make sure that she can cook a meal. You need to eat some meals that she cooks, check that out," he continues. "Make sure she carries her Bible. That’ll save you a lot of trouble down the road. And if she picks your ducks, now, that’s a woman.

"They got to where they’re getting hard to find, mainly because these boys are waiting until they get to be about 20-years-old before they marry’em. Look, you wait until they get to be 20-years-old, they only picking that’s going to take place is your pocket."

Robertson married his wife Kay when she was 16 and he 20 - not uncommon thirty years ago. In the video he adds: "You need to check with mom and dad about that of course."

"Look, you wait until they get to be 20, the only picking that’s going to take place is your pocket," he says.

A&E network representatives have yet to comment on the video.

Despite Robertson’s controversial remarks, he has won support from the likes of Republican politician Sarah Palin and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, both of whom admire his commitment to Christian teaching.

New episodes of Duck Dynasty featuring Robertson are due to air in the US on 15 January. The show regularly attracts more than 10 million viewers.