The Pekin duck is the most popular duck in America. Due to its rusticity, its physical development and that it is an excellent docker (Blay, 1991). The Pekin duck originates from north-western Beijing, China, was introduced to Europe and America during the 1970s.
The Pekin Duck is a type of duck, which derives its name from Peking (now Beijing), China. The Pekin or White Pekin is an American breed of domestic duck, raised primarily for meat. It derives from birds brought to the United States from China in the nineteenth century and is now bred in many parts of the world.
Characteristics of Pekin Duck
The Pekin duck has white creamy plumage, bright orange legs, yellow skin and white flesh. Its head is strong and robust, rounded and with prominent cheeks, its beak is short and wide, of orange-yellowish color. His neck is long and thick, hunched forward. Because its legs are placed far behind, the animal maintains an upright posture, the chest is prominent and its solid body carries the tail raised.
It initiates the position at 5 months of age, to be more precocious, this race accumulates more fat than other species; Its incubation period is 28 days with an annual production of 150 to 240 eggs. The Pekin duck is the most used to produce meat, this is due to its rapid growth and the color of its meat, less red than that of the Muscovy. Sexual maturity reaches 7 or 8 months. The male has a weight of 3 to 4 kilos and the female 3.6 kilos. They are intended for the production of meat and egg.
Feed
The balanced feed that can be fed to ducks is the same as that given to chickens. During the first four weeks of the life of the ducklings, they are given the initiator balance. Feeding during the first week should be done at the frequency of 4 to 5 times a day. Provide balanced ducklings that can consume in half an hour. From the second week, you must offer the balance in free form.
The feeders should not be empty. Ducks should be fed twice a day, at 6:00 and 16:00 hours, starting the third week, and provide the finishing balance after the fifth week of life of the ducks. Also provide crabs, small fish, snails, plants, larvae, pupae for good health.
Facilities and Location
Rational exploitation of ducks must have adequate facilities, which are generally composed of a shed, a corral, and a pool. The exploitation of ducks at the family level can be carried out on the field, without the need for installation. If an installation is prepared the premises in a high, dry place, with good drainage and good availability of water sources. The major axis of the construction must be east-west.
- Shed: The materials to be used should be inexpensive, durable and easy to obtain in the area. The recommended space for this place is one square meter for three ducks.
- Corral: This place should serve so that the ducks can spend as much time as possible in it. The perimeter of the corral can be covered with woven wire mesh or other material. It is convenient to cover the floor with sand. In addition, when planning the installation should be considered areas with shade, the rigor of our climate in the summer and the sensitivity of ducks to high temperatures of the environment. The surface of the corral can be equal to or greater than the size of the house.
- Pool: It can be constructed of cement, with a depth of 20 to 30 cm. The recommended space is one square meter of the pool for every 25 ducks. Replacing water, if it were constant, would be the right thing, but a daily replenishment is considered acceptable, in order to keep it clean.
Driving
Before removing the ducklings, a corralón should be prepared inside the place where the breeding will take place, using plates, boards, bricks or other materials. The recommended space is, in the second week: 40 ducklings per meter; In the third week: 30 ducklings per meter; And in the fourth week, 20 ducklings per meter.
- Lighting: The ducklings are very scary so it is convenient to provide light all night.
- Heat source: It is important to provide animals with the necessary heat (27 degrees Celsius), especially on winter days. For this purpose, 200-watt floodlights may be used.
- Bed: Shavings, straws, rice husks may be used, distribute any of these materials homogeneously on the floor of the house, in a thickness of 3 to 5 centimeters. It is recommended that the bed is kept dry; The humidity can be a cause of sanitary problems in the animals.
- Sanitation: Antibiotics and vitamins are advised as a preventive treatment for three consecutive days in the second and third week.
It should be noted that after the third week of life, the ducks no longer need a sanitation plan based on their rusticity and their resistance to disease.
Duck Profile
| Duck name | Pekin Duck |
| Other Name | Long Island duck or American Pekin duck |
| Duck Purpose | Eggs & Meat |
| Special Notes | Friendly, Calm, Good as Pets |
| Weight | 3.5kg to 4kg |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Egg Productivity | Medium |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country of Origin | China |
FAQ
Why are Pekin ducks special?
Pekin ducks are a special breed of domestic duck originating from China. They are the most popular breed of duck raised for meat, eggs, and down production in the United States. Pekin ducks have white feathers and orange bills, feet, and legs. They are also known for their docile nature and friendly disposition.
Are Pekin ducks good pets?
Pekin ducks can make good pets if you are prepared to give them the space and care they need. They require a large outdoor enclosure with plenty of room to swim, eat, and explore. It’s important to provide them with fresh water that is changed regularly, as well as plenty of food such as duck pellets and vegetables. If you have the time and resources to properly care for a Pekin duck, then it can be a rewarding experience.
Do Pekin ducks lay eggs every day?
Pekin ducks typically lay eggs every day, but there are some exceptions. During the first few weeks of laying, Pekin ducks may lay fewer eggs than usual. This is due to the fact that they are still getting used to their new environment and may need time to adjust. In addition, when the weather is too hot or too cold, Pekin ducks may not lay as many eggs as usual. It is important to provide them with a comfortable environment in order for them to produce more eggs. Finally, if a Pekin duck is sick or stressed out, it may stop laying eggs altogether until it has recovered.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy a Pekin duck, this blog post has provided you with all the information you need. You can also learn more about other breeds of ducks in our guide on what are different types of domestic ducks!
