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Pekin Ducks
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Names
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Pékin Américain in
France. Pechino Tedesca in Italy. The similar
Pechino Americana is our Commercial X Aylesbury.
Also known as "Long Island duckling" in
reference to the first 9 ducks imported to Long
Island in 1873
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Country Of Origin;.
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........ China as in other vertically designed
waterfowl !
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Carriage;
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Similar to the Campbell ducks but a
substantially more well built duck ie useful for
the table if needed
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Purpose;...
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.......Eggs..Meat....a good utility
duck. These ducks are ready for butchering at 6
to 8 weeks of age and produce more meat that is
desirable for eating than other breeds of duck.
Its meat is very tender and mild and well-suited
for many menu options. 174 grams (about 6
ounces) of Pekin duck leg meat :-* Calories:
310g * Total fat: 10g * Cholesterol: 183mg *
Carbohydrates: 0 * Protein: 51mg
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Egg Colour
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The eggs weigh 70g and are white
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Egg Numbers
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.............80 /100 .. .the American
Commercial Pekin will lay an average of 200 eggs
per year
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Breed Hints....
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Kept as trio or pair .. will go broody
and hatch . . unless a US commercial X
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Weights;
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9 to 12 pounds
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Breed Tip
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****Open
feathered so more likely to get mites/ticks/fly
strike...watch in extreme humid heat for signs
of distress. If found treat with sheep product
such as Spot-on applied with a cotton wool bud
to the base of the skull on the shoulders as all
OP's are dodgy. Weight can produce foot problems
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Flying .
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Rarely flies a good back garden all
rounder; A waddler rather than a walker
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The following article is reprinted from Lewis Wright
"Practical Poultry Keeping" .
This breed was imported from Pekin
into both England and the United States, in the year
1873, and has most marked characteristics. One of these
is the strong yellow blood. Both legs and bill are deep
orange colour, and the plumage a kind of ferret-white,
with a strong canary tinge, which becomes stronger still
in the underfeather. The legs are set on rather :far
behind, which gives an upright or Penguin carriage.
Another feature is the boat-shape of the long and deep
keel, which, with a fulness of rump and peculiar turn-up
at the tail, irresistibly suggests the shape of an Indian
birch canoe. Yet another peculiarity lies in the fact
that the duck is, as a rule (though there are
exceptions), a non-sitter and prolific layer. At one time
birds were shown with white plumage and pale bills, but
which, no doubt, were crossed with Aylesbury; and the
canary tinge is now fully recognized.
This is a most useful duck, but does not seem to be
bred to nearly as high a standard in England as in
America, where it is the breed universally used now by
the duck-farmers. In England a large-looking bird often
weighs no more than 8 lb., though large specimens are
exhibited of greater weight, and some breeders average
the eggs at 8o per annum, others less. On the American
duck-farms birds of l 1 lb. and more are quite common, in
adults, and the average in eggs from many hundred ducks
is reported from three of the largest farms as 135, 140
and 145 per duck. But these are the results of breeding
and selecting the bird, on a large scale, as the
Aylesbury is bred with us.
The Pekin grows fast and early, and in America is
expected to weigh 5 lb. at eight weeks. It is a little
wild or free in habit, and does not fatten well in small
pens; hence the larger American yards or pens mentioned
in the above remarks. The flesh is particularly free from
grossness. We are inclined to believe that the greater
weight and growth in America as compared with England, is
partly owing to the recognition of its freer habits; but
still more largely to the use of green food and bran
along with Indian meal, which probably keeps the
digestive organs in more active exercise.
I believe Pekin ducks to have a
character all of their own. For a heavy duck they are
quite active and very gregarious. That's not to say they
are as busy as a Runner or a Magpie but mine are
continually on the move searching in long grass and
dabbling in the mud.....oh! how they like mud ; just like
any other duck. When I first kept them they were
reluctant to get right into a pond mainly I think because
they needed a gentle ramp to get themselves out ; with
this they love the water especially when the ponds are
drained and refilled.
Unfortunately the feather type on Pekins is different
from most other ducks as it is so soft and fluffy and not
so tight. This often results in them losing feather
quality quickly in bad / muddy weather and clean fresh
bedding is a must. Feather quality can be improved by
good feeding during the moult.....I like to feed extra
vitamins ( not extra protein) and plenty of grass meal.
Breeding and Fertility .......I don't find a problem.
One drake can take up to five ducks and I worry about
fertility if it drops below 75%. Ducklings grow on well
without too many problems except from the occasional
sticky eye and lameness; normally both due to too hot and
dry summers.......both are easily rectified.
Selection of Stock, ......like any other self coloured
bird is not easy for the inexperienced eye. Until 8 /10
weeks I don't even try. First I discard any bird with
black spots on their bill . Next too long a bill.... a
definite fault to avoid as is little rise from the base
of the bill to the top of the head. Select a bird with a
domed head and short stout head... much like a call duck.
The next round of selection is not very easy and takes
time. Next to go are the tall slim types, any with keels,
rear end too high off the ground and those with too low a
carriage. I also prefer a duck with a strong tick in
their tail and no prominent shoulder.Birds which meet
these criteria I keep over winter, I don't breed from or
select breeding stock until after they have finished
moulting at about 18 months.
Despite being very demanding in selection I normally
keep between 15 / 40 adult birds just because of their
appeal. White ducks are eye caching especially Pekins
with their upright penguin stance and wobbly walk . Their
jaunty tail, high set sparkling eyes, and chatty nature
and almost regal appearance. For anyone seeking another
breed of duck I can recommend Pekins you won't regret it
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by Colin Murton
PEKIN;.........Breeders.
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Julie Christopher
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W.MIDLANDS
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Tel 0121 605 7944
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Mike & Sylvia Hatcher
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BERKSHIRE
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Tel 01488 638 014
hatcher579@btinternet.com
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Hicks Waterfowl World
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OSWESTRY
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Tel 01691 655 635
weekends
Tel 07818 036 118
weekdays
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Alan Kerr
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N IRELAND
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Tel 012657 413 65
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Alan McKee
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ANTRIM
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Tel 01266 651 284
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Paul Meatyard
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SOMERSET
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Tel 01749 812 758
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Curtis Oakes
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Penn/USA
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001 814 425 8247
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Howard Walmsley,
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Lancashire
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01253 790 425
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