The Pekin duck’s egg has succeed the hearts of many duck’s egg enthusiast . With their degenerate ontogeny charge per unit , excellent orchis and meat output and their endear personalities , the king of duck has earned its popularity and the title of the man ’s most pop domestic duck breed .
History
The Pekin duck is believed to have been breed in China over three thousand geezerhood ago . The stock take in popularity throughout China and was soon key after the metropolis of Peking ( now love as Beijing ) .
In 1873 , the Pekin duck’s egg first arrived in America , where they speedily gained popularity and shortly became the top table bird in the country as duck raisers started turn to the Pekin alternatively of the native Cayuga .
Description
The Pekin duck’s egg fun white feathers that vary from a snow-covered white to creamy yellowish white . Legs and ft are bright orange . Pekin drakes ’ bills are orangish to yellow - orange , while female person ’ bills vary from orangish and yellow to green or dim . Orange and yellow Federal Reserve note on distaff Pekins are often spotted with black or green .
Just like all Mallard descendants , a male Pekin duck has a curly feather at the base of its shadow while in its breeding plumage .
Meat Production
Pekins are well known for their truehearted ontogenesis pace and fantabulous meat production . The meat of a Pekin should have a mild flavour when compared to a Muscovy or Moulard duck’s egg ( Muscovy crossed with any other domestic duck’s egg breed ) .
The Pekin duck has an splendid feed - to - meat conversion , with ducklings averaging two and a half to three pound of provender per pound of bodyweight . libertine growers , Pekins should reach market weight between the ages of eight to twelve weeks .
While it is most pop in the illustrious Peking duck dish antenna , Pekin meat can be prepare in many sweetheart and is very adaptable for different cuisines .
If raising meat ducks for wholesale , the Pekin is a pop pick as they are often feature on eating house menu and are a favourite amongst consumer .
Egg Production
The distaff Pekin duck is an excellent layer , average two to three hundred large to jumbo white eggs annually . The amount of eggs laid by each female will for the most part depend on the strain and whether or not the duck is a seasonal layer . ( laying ball only in the spring and summertime )
Production starts around the age of five to six months and will continue until the following summertime or autumn when the duck’s egg cease laying for the annual moulting .
Pekin females can go broody , but they wo n’t cease repose during this meter like a chicken does , unless encouraged to sit .
Mothering Abilities
Pekin duck females may not go broody as frequently as some other breeds , but some strains will go broody , hatching and raise ducklings successfully . However , like other duck’s egg breed , they may need more than one hatching to raise duckling successfully to adulthood .
Many Pekin duck’s egg females are also excellent surrogate mothers , and will jubilantly sweep up and raise ducklings even if not brooding . ( Please note : That while most Pekins take up ducklings , not all will . Always supervise an adult duck with adopted duckling to insure they do not hurt or kill the untried . )
Temperament
The Pekin first gained popularity for its superb quality meat , but these day they are even more far-famed for their personalities .
Pekin duck impression ( Imprinting is when a duckling believes that the first face it sees is its female parent . ) very easily on humans . An imprinted Pekin tends to be more clingy throughout its integral aliveness , seeking out their “ mama ” for tending .
Sweet , talkative , gregarious , the great unwashed - loving , and calm , the Pekin duck is one of the friendliest breeds . Excellent for class with minor , Pekins are highly intelligent and dear to interact with their human family and other Pekins .
While they are sweet-flavored and gentle with their families , Pekins are more offish with strangers . This trait makes them an fantabulous alternative as sentry go duck , as they are constantly aware of their environment and will alert owners when they sense something is n’t proper .
Pekin ducks enjoy frequent handlings and interactions with their human family and can become depressed if they find you are n’t spending enough time with them .
Average Lifespan
The average life-time of a Pekin duck’s egg varies depending on the form . Jumbo Pekins average five to ten yr , while commercial-grade Pekins average out eight to twelve year of age .
Health Concerns
The Pekin duck should n’t pose too many health fear if fed a right diet and allow approach to green grass . However , due to their larger size , they are more prostrate to leg and foot hurt such as arthritis , broken bone , bumblefoot , osteoarthritis , mistake juncture and tendons , and sprain .
Pekin Sir Francis Drake are also more prostrate to prolapse penis than other breeds , so be certain to check your drake frequently to ensure he is n’t suffering from this condition .
Famous Pekins
Pekin ducks are so popular that Walt Disney design Donald Duck after this breed .
Another famous duck , the Aflac duck’s egg , was also design after the Pekin .
Special Considerations
Due to their snowy feather , the Pekin duck is easy spotted by aerial and ground - dwelling marauder . To protect your Pekins from predatory animal attacks , invalidate free - ranging unless directly supervised by an adult , and house them in a completely predator - proofed cage and run .
Pekin ducks thrive on human interaction , so if you prefer a more hands - off breed , the Pekin duck is believably not the best pick .
Pekins must have access to clean swimming weewee at least once a week to keep their plumage clean and their oil secretory organ working decently .
Fun Fact
Did you know ? The Pekin duck is extremely healthy and can be train to do simple commands such as hail when call . They are also capable of learning their names extremely fast .
The Pekin duck is an ideal choice for pet owners , backyard flocks , and egg and kernel producers . With so many attributes , it ’s easy to see why this breed has become the most popular domestic duck breed worldwide .
