HISTORY;
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 . by Colin Murton
Names 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
Country Of Origin;........ China as in other vertically designed
waterfowl !
Purpose;... .......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
Egg Colour The eggs weigh 70g and are white
Egg Numbers .............80 /100 .. .the American
Commercial Pekin will lay an average of 200 eggs per year
Breed Hints....Kept as trio or pair .. will go broody and hatch . .
unless a US commercial X
Weights; 9 to 12 pounds
Breed Tip ****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/frontline
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 from
bumble foot to frostbite
Flying .like a brick . . Rarely flies a good back garden all rounder; A
waddler rather than a walker
PEKIN;.........Breeders.
Mike & Sylvia Hatcher BERKSHIRE Tel 01488 638 014
hatcher579@btinternet.com
HICKS WATERFOWL WORLD
OSWESTRY Tel 01691 655 635 weekends Tel 07818 036
118 weekdays grahamhickss@hotmail.co.uk
Julie Christopher, Wales 07790 065 553
Alan Kerr, Northern Ireland 01265 741 365
Alan McKee, Antrim 02825 651 284
Colin Murton, Hampshire 01428 751 408
Guy Richardson, Armagh 02838 841 134
Howard Walmsley, Lancashire 01235 790 425
asleep
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Pekins/BRKPekin.html
Please note that
photographs and text on
this site belong to the Domestic Waterfowl Club of Great Britain. They
should not be reprinted (commercially especially on ebay)
without prior permission but are freeely available for
educational purposes and can be printed up for classroom use;
we do not have printed fact sheets/booklets for sale etc but can
occasionally email uncompressed digital images.