"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

Aylesbury Duck

"In the Vale of Aylesbury, forty miles north of London, Buckinhamshire 'duckers' were renowned by 1800 for the production of England's finest white-skinned market ducklings.Ó (Holderread, 68) Aylesbury ducks were held in high esteem not only for their for their white skin and unusual pink bill, but also for their large size, ability to produce eggs in the winter months, fast growth, light bone, and high percentage of mild-flavored meat. (Holderread, 68) This duck breed was one of the first to arrive in United States from Europe. Ayelsburys were exhibited in 1849 at the inaugural poultry show in Boston, Massachusetts and were included in the first publication of American Standard of Perfection published in 1874 by the American Poultry Association. (Holderread, 70)

The Aylesbury duck is a superior meat breed with mature males weighing around ten pounds and mature females, nine pounds. (Malone et. al., 308) Young Aylesbury ducks will reach the slaughter weight of approximately five pounds in seven to nine weeks and, because they are not particularly active foragers, will fatten best if fed concentrated feed. (Batty, 59) It is the meat breed of choice in England, preferred over the Pekin favored in the United States, because its flesh is considered more flavorful. (Batty, 53) Females will lay 35-125 moderately sized, white or tinted green eggs annually, (Batty, 58) with one leading breeder, Frank Reese, Jr., stating that his birds consistently lay near the high end of this range.

The Aylesbury duck has pure white plumage, white skin, (a unique attribute since most ducks have yellow skin) 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 Aylesbury is described as "slow moving, and exceptionally tame.Ó (Holderread, 70)

There are two types of Aylesbury- exhibition and utility. The exhibition bird has a very deep keel which makes it difficult for this type to successfully mate naturally. (Roberts) The utility type Aylesbury is able to mate naturally, especially if the birds are protected against obesity by being allowed to be active. (Reese) For top fertility, breeders should be fed a ration that contains 18 to 20 percent protein and is well fortified with vitamin-rich substances like alfalfa meal, cod-liver oil, or a vitamin premix. (Holderread, 71)

ALBC's 2000 census of domestic waterfowl in North America found only 282 breeding Aylesbury. While eight people reported breeding Aylesburys, only two primary breeding flocks with 50 or more breeding birds existed. (Bender, 4) There is a critical need for more conservation breeders of Aylesbury ducks. Their large size, white skin and white plumage make them an excellent market bird and a great addition to any small farmstead or backyard producer's flock.

Status: Critical

Bibliography:
Malone, Pat; and Gerald Donnelly, and Walt Leonard. The American Standard of Perfection. Mendon, MA: American Poultry Association, 1998.

Batty, Dr. J. Domesticated Ducks and Geese. London, England: Fanciers Suppliers Ltd, 1985.

Bender, Marjorie E. F. D. Phillip Sponenberg, and Donald Bixby. Taking Stock of Waterfowl: The Results of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy's Domestic Duck and Goose Census. Pittsboro, NC: The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, 2000.

Holderread, Dave. Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, Inc., 2001.

Roberts, Mrs. V., Domestic Waterfowl Trust, Worcestershire, England. Letter to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, March 4, 1990.

Reese, Jr., Frank. Telephone conversation, July 18, 2000.

Breed clubs and associations:
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312, (919) 542-5704, email albc@albc-usa.org, www.albc-usa.org

American Poultry Association, PO Box 306, Burgettstown, PA15021, email secretaryapa@yahoo.com, www.amerpoultryassn.com

Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, Dr. Charles R.H. Everett, Secretary, 122 Magnolia Lane, Lugoff, SC, 29078, email crheverett@bellsouth.net