Magpie Duck: British Breed of Domestic Duck

The magpie duck is a West Wales breed, well known for small farms. Oliver Drake and MC Gower-Williams developed this breed during the 1920s and by 1941 Charles Roscoe in his book. ‘Ducks and Duck Keeping’ had a section on it in a chapter on breeding birds. The breed was standardized in the United Kingdom in 1926.

It was less popular during the 50s, but 80s fans picked it up again initially only in the black and white variety. This breed was imported into the United States in 1963 by Isaac Hunter of Michigan and was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1977. It was considered a rare species.

Magpie Duck

The challenge in breeding this breed is to get a regular mark pattern. Even Charles Roscoe was forced to confess in the forties that it required skill to get birds with a precise pattern. If you choose to breed, you will find it useful to learn basic genetics. There are specialist associations that can help you. The descriptions of the Huttegem are remarkably similar to the modern magpie duck. The old illustrations show many of the features of the magpie including color.

The magpie duck was imported to the United States of Great Britain in 1963 but was not widely maintained. Therefore It was admitted to the American standard of perfection in 1977, but it did not become popular in the United States until 1984. It is still one of the rarest varieties of domesticated duck. The color pattern of ducklings will not change as they develop into adults. So breeders can select good breeding specimens while using other ducklings as useful birds.

Characteristics of Magpie Duck

The Magpie duck is similar in size and shape to the khaki Campbell. They are predominantly white but have two areas of black plumage a “cap” on the top of the head and a patch on the back. The black “cap” becomes mottled with white as the bird ages and some even become completely white.

The magpie duck is a light breed, reaching weights of between four and five pounds. They are named for their distinctive marked plumage. The plumage is predominantly white, with a colored cap on the crown of the head and a large patch of color that extends along back from the shoulders to the tail.

The magpie duck is a long-bodied bird with a broad head, and a long orange or yellow bill. The carcass of this duck’s corpse is quince in a 30 degree horizontal when it is relaxed, and slightly higher when it is agitated. Varied standards include blacks and blues also Some creators have also developed non-standard color varieties.

Food

The magpie duck is food based on insects, slugs and snails, herbs, seeds, and small aquatic insects, farmers who breed this breed are considered effective to eliminate pests.

Varieties

Classified as a light race, it exists in three colors, black and white, blue and white, and brown and white. Whatever the color, brands are the important thing. The head and neck have a cap that covers the entire crown of the upper part of their eyes. The lower body and chest are white, while the back of the body is solid from the shoulders to the tip of the tail. If you look at the duck from above with the wings closed, you should see a heart shape in the back. In Europe, you can also get this duck in chocolate, white and lavender.

Usage

The selected specimens can perfectly exceed 180 eggs per year, reaching peaks of 200 and some specimens passing from the 220. It’s excellent laying ability, gourmet quality meat.

Special Feature

Despite the difficulties in obtaining a good brand pattern and the duck itself is easy to breed. It is a breed that puts up to 200 eggs a year, most of all white but sometimes blue or green. Its compact body makes it a good table fowl. Magpie duck is a good pet for the family because of Friendly and domesticated. Although for its liveliness and passion for insects sometimes seems a bit restless.

They do not fly well, reaching only low heights. Magpie ducks are often a docile and quiet breed, especially when handled regularly. Individuals can be very nervous. Regular management from a young age will ensure that your Magpie ducks are friendly and easy to handle. An agitated Magpie duck tends to be more erect, while a relaxed duck is more horizontal.

The ALBC census of domestic waterbirds in North America in 2000 found only 126 breeding sites. While seven people reported breeding Magpie, only one flock of primary breeding with 50 or more breeding birds existed. There is a critical need for more breeders of the Urraca ducks conservation.

Duck Profile

Duck NameMagpie Duck
Other NameNone
Duck PurposeMeat and Exhibition
Feather colorBlack and White, blue and white.
Weight2.25 to 2.7 kg
Climate ToleranceExample: All Climates
Egg ColorWhite, sometimes blue and green
Egg SizeLarge
Egg WeightUp to 65 grams
Egg ProductivityMedium (80 – 180 eggs in the year)
RarityRare
Country of OriginUnited Kingdom

FAQ

What is the story behind Magpie Duck?

The Magpie Duck is an ornamental waterfowl that originated in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. It was developed by crossing the Mallard and the Pied or Colored Call Duck, resulting in a bird with striking black-and-white plumage. Today, it is one of the most popular duck breeds kept for ornamental purposes and can be found in parks and gardens across Europe.

What are the benefits of using Magpie Duck?

Magpie Duck is an open source web application development framework that makes it easy to create dynamic, interactive websites. It’s designed to be lightweight, fast, and secure, making it ideal for building modern web applications.

What is Magpie Duck?

Magpie Duck is a breed of domestic duck that originated in the United Kingdom. It is a medium-sized duck that has a white body, black wings, and a striking white head with a black cap. The breed was developed by crossing the Mallard with the White Pekin. This combination created an attractive bird that was both hardy and good for meat production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Magpie duck is a British breed of domestic duck that lays large eggs and has black and white markings reminiscent of the European magpie. If you’re considering adding this bird to your farm or backyard flock, be sure to do plenty of research first. We hope this guide helped you learn more about these fascinating creatures! Good luck in choosing which type of poultry suits your needs best!

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