Homestead Duck and Goose Production
(Page 2 of 10)
BREEDS OF DUCKS
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Ducks are divided into three major categories: [1] meat
ducks, [2] egg producers and [3] ornamental ducks. In this
work we will not be concerned with the third class for they
are used primarily in zoos, parks and country estates that
are interested in their ornamental attributes. However
class 1 and class 2 are of importance to those living in
the country.
The meat ducks are made up of the following breeds: Pekin,
Alesbury, Muscovy, Roen, Cayuga, Buff and Swedish. Of these
breeds the Pekin and Muscovy are considered the most
popular in the United States . . . the Pekin being the
mainstay in the duckling, industry of Long Island and other
Eastern States. The Muscovy is very popular in California,
Oregon and Washington (as well as in the Eastern States)
although many Pekins are also found on the Pacific Coast.
Both breeds are very satisfactory for the average American
locality and both produce excellent carcasses.
Breeds most suitable for egg production are the Runner
(White, Buff and Penciled), Buff and Khaki-Campbell. Of
these the Runner is by far the most popular and many duck
fanciers who are fond of duck eggs maintain a few of this
breed for the Runner is to the duck world what the White
Leghorn is to the chicken world.
Choice of breed will therefore depend on whether the
prospective duck raiser is interested in meat or eggs. Here
on Toowoomba, where we usually maintain upwards from twenty
ducks, we keep the Pekin and are supplied with all the
ducks that we require for the table as well as having a
number of surplus eggs that are consumed by the family.
The Muscovy is most popular in the Eastern States. This
breed comes in two varieties . . . the White and dark. They
are excellent fliers and require little care as they will
forage wide. They are quite good egg producers and in
contrast to the Pekin are good setters and will rear their
young with little attention. They have proven very useful
for the general farm and do not require swimming water for
egg fertility.
STARTING WITH DUCKS
We have two general methods of getting started with ducks:
[1] We may purchase day-old ducklings from a hatchery or
[2] we may purchase breeding stock, mate our ducks,
incubate and brood our own ducklings.
When we, started with our Pekins we purchased our original
stock as day-old ducklings, raised them to maturity and
saved the better females. We then traded some of our males
for drakes belonging to our neighbors (who had also
purchased Pekin ducklings, but from a different hatchery)
and we continued from there. However, some breeders prefer
to purchase mature ducks of breeding age and thus produce
their own eggs. This may be practical if water is available
for as has already been mentioned it is difficult to
produce fertile eggs without sufficient water for the
swimming of the breeding flock. If water is not available,
then day-old ducklings is the only answer.
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