336 FARM ANIMALS 



DUCKS 



While many breeds of ducks have been pro- 

 duced and are reared in domestication in this and 

 other countries there are not more than six breeds 

 which may conscientiously be recommended to the 

 farmer as profitable birds to raise. The best y of 

 these is the Pekin which is of a pure white color and 

 is distinguished from the Aylesoury by its slightly 

 larger size and turned-up tail feathers. The Pekin 

 matures more rapidly than any other breed and 

 is therefore the most profitable in the production 

 of so-called green ducks which correspond in duck 

 raising to baby beef in cattle raising. The Ayles- 

 bury is also white but slightly smaller than the 

 Pekin with straight tail feathers. This duck is 

 very popular in England and Europe. The Ayles- 

 bury sometimes reaches a weight of eighteen pounds 

 per pair. The Rouen are brilliantly colored ducks, 

 marked very similarly to the wild mallard and 

 evidently being related to this species. The Rouen 

 is of good disposition, rather nardy and matures 

 quite rapidly. The drake often reaches a weight 

 of nine pounds and the duck eight pounds. Their 

 meat is of fine color and flavor. The Black Cayuga 

 as its name indicates, is black in color and origi- 

 nated in the central part of New York state. They 

 are not as extensively raised as the breeds above 

 mentioned but those who have had experience with 

 them are well satisfied with their qualities. The 

 color is somewhat against them for market purposes 

 but the meat is excellent. In addition to these 

 four breeds the colored and white Muscovy ducks 

 are raised to some extent on farms. They come 

 from South America and are of very different form 

 from those which have been mentioned. They are 



