Ducks

October 4th, 2009

For a list of the ducks and hatching eggs we currently offer for sale, please visit our Online Store.

Our ducks currently include the following breeds:

Mallard Ducks & Drakes– Very similar to it’s wild cousin, the mallard is the breed from which all domestic ducks, except he Muscovy, were bred.  Despite domestication, they have retained much of their natural abilities and instincts.  They are fully capable of flight which lends itself greatly to avoiding predators.  Although many report their mallards simply fly away, they seem to like it here on our farm.  We conclude they are smart birds who know when they’ve got a good thing going for them.  If keeping mallards, we recommend raising them from hatching eggs or chicks so they will know where to call home.

Muscovy Ducks & Drakes -Native to South America, Central America, and Mexico; the Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata).  A small population can be found in southern portions of the United States but these might be feral or a combination of feral and indigenous rather than uniquely indigenous.  More northern states typically see entirely feral flocks in city parks and farm ponds.  Feral populations also exist in Canada and to a much less extend in some parts of Europe, where there is no doubt their existence is the result of human intervention.

Although the Muscovy Duck is technically a tropical bird, it is hardy enough to have adapted to the colder habitats.  Domestic flocks do require shelter, which will prevent temperatures from dropping below 10 degrees for optimal health, but feral birds often survive the very cold winters of Canada.  This is perhaps a result of natural selection, which does not occur in captivity.

Unlike any other domestic duck, the Muscovy is not a descendant of the mallard.  European domestication can only be traced to the 1500s as there is no evidence the bird was prized by the earlier European exploration of North America some 500 years earlier (see Leif Ericson).

Pekin Duck & Drakes – Originally imported into the United States in the 1870s, the Pekin was first domesticated in China.  Today, it is the most common domestic duck raised in the United States.  It is also the most abused.  During the Easter season, well meaning parents often bring home the adorable yellow chicks.  Although a very hardy breed, the Pekin duck grows extremely quickly and never achieves full flight.  Often times when the novelty of the tiny chicks pass, the birds are released into the wild where they meet a less than humane death.

Indian Runner Ducks & Drakes - Coming soon.

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