242 Farm Poultry 



a foremost position as to popularity. Without 

 doubt a larger number of White Pekins are reared 

 for market than of any other breed. They are 

 pure white, large, and are excellent layers. They 

 are considered hardy and are easily reared. They 

 mature early and are especially prized for the 

 production of young birds for market. When 

 walking they assume a more upright position than 

 do the ducks of most other breeds. The Pekins 

 are largely reared by extensive duck raisers who 

 make a specialty of the so-called "green ducks"; 

 that is, young birds that will weigh about five 

 pounds apiece when not more than ten weeks 

 old. The standard weight for Pekins is eight 

 pounds for the drake and seven for the duck. 



Aylesbury. The Aylesburys probably rank 

 next to the Pekins in popularity. In general 

 appearance they closely resemble the Pekins, but 

 may be distinguished by their carriage. The 

 Aylesburys are a pound heavier than the Pekins. 

 They have the power of adapting themselves 

 readily to the various conditions under which 

 ducks are reared. They are considered even 

 more hardy and prolific than the Pekins. Some 

 practical duck raisers sometimes introduce an 

 Aylesbury cross on their Pekin stock to increase 

 vigor and prolificacy. For market purposes the 

 white breeds (Pekin and Aylesbury) are pre- 

 ferred to the colored ones, because white young 



