Aylesbury Ducks
Developed in England in Buckinghamshire near London, this breed has a very interesting history and is one of the first imported from Europe. They were raised by "Duckers" in their town of Aylesbury and were highly esteemed for their flavorful meat. The breed has pure white plumage and white skin, with orange feet and legs, dark grayish blue eyes and an unusually long, straight pinkish-white bill. It has a long body, horizontal carriage, and a characteristically straight, deep keel that nearly reaches the ground. The large keel can interfere with breeding, and the producer should guard against allowing the flock to become obese. Drakes typically weigh around 10 pounds and mature hens should be around 9 pounds. Females will lay 35-125 large sized, white or tinted green eggs annually. Exhibition strains are noted to produce much less eggs than utility flocks.
The Aylesbury is less active than most other breeds and is therefore not as good at foraging, so they are a bit more labor involved. They are very docile. Aylesbury Ducks are listed as critical on The Livestock Conservancy priority list.
Our foundation stock is considered to be from an exhibition strain acquired from a private breeder in Ohio.
The Aylesbury is less active than most other breeds and is therefore not as good at foraging, so they are a bit more labor involved. They are very docile. Aylesbury Ducks are listed as critical on The Livestock Conservancy priority list.
Our foundation stock is considered to be from an exhibition strain acquired from a private breeder in Ohio.
Dutch Hookbill Ducks
The Dutch Hookbill most likely originated in The Netherlands where they were kept for eggs. The breed is primarily Dusky, Bibbed Dusky or White (though several other colors are acceptable), with orange feet and legs, and brown eyes. The bill is unique in the Dutch Hookbill; as the name implies, the bill must be long, broad and curved. There are varying degrees of curvature in the bill among individuals. The head shape should also be curved and should appear flat-skulled when viewing from the front. Dusky and Bibbed Dusky drakes should have a blue-gray bill, with the female having a lead colored bill. White drakes and hens should have a light pink colored bill with a lighter pink tip/nail. The Dutch Hookbill has a medium length body, well rounded, with a slight upright carriage. Drakes typically weigh around 3.3-4 pounds and mature hens should be around 3-3.7 pounds. Females should lay 100-225 white-blue green eggs annually.
The Dutch Hookbill is docile yet extremely active and exceptionally good at foraging. This trait, along with the fact that they reach breeding age/maturity quickly (around 16 weeks) make them an outstanding choice for the homesteader interested in producing duck eggs for the market or table. They are capable of flight, as well. Dutch Hookbill Ducks are listed as critical on The Livestock Conservancy priority list.
We currently have one pair of these magnificent little ducks and intend to establish a breeding flock with more birds purchased in 2022. We look forward to stewarding this wonderful breed.
The Dutch Hookbill is docile yet extremely active and exceptionally good at foraging. This trait, along with the fact that they reach breeding age/maturity quickly (around 16 weeks) make them an outstanding choice for the homesteader interested in producing duck eggs for the market or table. They are capable of flight, as well. Dutch Hookbill Ducks are listed as critical on The Livestock Conservancy priority list.
We currently have one pair of these magnificent little ducks and intend to establish a breeding flock with more birds purchased in 2022. We look forward to stewarding this wonderful breed.