You recognise those fuzzy little yellow ducklings you see just about everywhere , in calendar and adorable babe animal stock images ? Yep , those are usually Pekin ducklings , one of the most readily useable duck’s egg stock in all feed memory across America during spring .
In addition to being every lensman ’s favorite to portray the quintessential image of a bleary yellow duckling , this breed has many practical uses that make them desirable for many farmers .
Pekin ducks can produce plenty of robust duck’s egg eggs as well as reach a plump size to make them utter for eating . If you ’re after a beneficial dual - use duck breed , the Pekin might be ideal for you .
About Pekin Ducks
The breeding stock for this white duck spring up in Peking , China , which is now known as Beijing . In a 124 day voyage to America , the 15 original duck dwindled and in the end , four ducks became the breeding stock for the American Pekin . After two year of selective breeding , Pekins were accept into the American Poultry Association in 1874 .
Today , the Pekin is the most widespread duck’s egg in America , with ten of millions being prove for meat production alone . This duck makes a enough double - purpose breed , but their primary use is undoubtedly commercial meat production .
Pekin Duck Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
by nature , this is one of your larger duck breeds since it is so popular for meat product . On ordinary , a full grow Pekin will press somewhere between 8 and 12 British pound . As with most animals , Drake will more often than not raise a routine big than the hens .
2. Temperament
In addition to their substance andegg productionqualities , Pekins are commonly kept as pet ducks . duck , in general , have the unattackable impulse to imprint upon their caretaker if they receive a lot of attention in their first few calendar week of life . Pekins are sweet and gentle duck that will sway their adoring dispositions with them into adulthood if they are sprinkle on oftentimes .
Although this is a angelic duck’s egg strain , Pekin hens have very little desire to fuss their own offspring and do not have the tendency to go musing . If you ’re interested in breed Pekins , you ’ll by all odds need to get experienceincubating duck eggs .
3. Egg Production
Ducks have the power to produce an outstanding amount of ball per year , with some breeds put down up to 325 testicle in a year . While Pekins are n’t the biggest overachievers in the egg - position department , they can still outlay many volaille breeds .
you could generally expect your medium Pekin duck hen to lay somewhere between 150 - 200 large , lily-white egg in a single year .
4. Meat Production
As you ’ve belike gathered by now , Pekins are definitelyoutstanding meat producers . Before Pekins came around , Cayugas were the chief meat producers . However , Cayugas had a drawback that Pekins did n’t . The black feathering on a Cayuga could sometimes lead to a less presentable duck carcase . The white feathers on a Pekin make a much more clean and visually pleasing carcase .
All around , Pekins have many quality that make them the perfect meat manufacturer . This duck’s egg can grow rapidly and change food to meat at a more telling pace than many duck’s egg breeds . The snowy feather pair with large meat amount along with rapid growth rate just make this an irresistible meat producer .
Taking Care of Pekin Ducks
1. Feeding and Nutrition
The agency you opt tofeed your duckswill diverge depending on your desire use for your birds . Ducklings have the same feed requirement no matter their intended use . However , as your birds develop sr. , you ’ll need to choose their feed carefully establish on the purposes of your Pekins . If you commence out with ducklings , the ideal provender would be a duckling or waterfowl starter .
Despite the popularity of ducks , many feed memory do not carry a feed specifically formulated with ducks in head , which means you may need to compromise . Chick startercan be used when raising ducks , although sometimes the add-on of brewer ’s barm is necessary to check that your ducklings get all of their vitamin .
If you plan on raising your Pekins to butcher them as presently as they are bountiful enough , it ’s all right to feed your ducks a high protein provender since your ending end is n’t a long life . high protein feeds such as broiler feed will help your ducks to progress to a processing free weight quicker . The cause you would n’t want this with an egg - laying duck is that rapid ontogeny can cause leg and flank issues .
For those lift egg - laying ducks or pets , you ’ll need to cater your ducks with a diet that will corroborate them for long , sizable life . Around nine or so weeks of age , you may channelise your ducks to a grower eccentric provender with around 15 % protein for healthy increment . 20 - week one-time ducks will need to be transferred to a laying dieting to educate hens for egg - lay and to have their grownup bodies .
2. Housing and Fencing
If you ’re used to lodging chickens , the issue ofduck housingis by nature a piffling snatch different than poulet housing .
When it comes to houses , it ’s usually beneficial to keep duck’s egg coops on the ground because ducks can sometimes be fickle about ascending ramps . Inside your duck hencoop , ply at least 6 - square fundament per duck . It ’s unnecessary to provide provoke nesting boxes or roosts in duck’s egg coop because your Pekins will prefer to do all their business on the ground .
Outside in the running , provide 12 - 15 - square feet per duck to make certain everyone has plenty of way for running around and load their wing .
As with all duck , offer a source of piddle is significant for the health and felicity of your net footed friends .
3. Health Issues and Care
When animals are bred specifically for one trait such as speedy growth , it can result in some less than stellar characteristics in other areas . Pekins can have health issues with their leg when they grow too rapidly , which is why a check dieting is significant .
Other than issue that can arise when laying duck are feed too much protein during growth , Pekins are robust ducks that will thrive in a respectable environment .
4. Breeding
Since Pekins do not have a tendency to go broody , you will need to hatch your own duckling if you plan to keep this breed for multiple generation . When it comes to select breed stock , always make certain to choose the most vigorous and sizeable parent to check you ’re hatch healthy ducklings .
Pekin Breed Alternatives
1. Cayuga
Before the Pekin made an appearance , Cayuga duck were the bit one breed for duck meat production . Cayugas rise to impressive sizes , and they can even position black eggs . As long as you do n’t bear in mind the occasional mordant pinfeather , Cayugas make an fantabulous woof .
2. Silver Appleyard
If you ’re one of those nester that ’s a sucker for heritage breed , the Silver Appleyard might be your duck’s egg . Silver Appleyards are an endangered breed that makes a good dual - purpose duck for all your egg - lay and meat - acquire needs .
Did You Know?
The famous mascot of the policy party , Aflac , is in reality model after a Pekin duck’s egg !
All in all , Pekins make an first-class stock for many situation . This might not be the duck for every farm , but it ’s clear why they are one of the most popular duck’s egg out there !
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