2 3 S 



PO UL TR T- CRAFT. 



According to the descriptions of this breed as grown near the English town 

 from which it takes its name, Aylesbury ducks should be quite the equals of 

 the Pekins in market quality and in capacity for quick growth. In the hands 

 of the American growers they have so far been decidedly inferior. Standard 

 weights are : adult drake, 9 Ibs. ; young drake, 8 Ibs. ; adult duck, 8 Ibs. ; 

 young duck, 7 Ibs. 



350. Rouen Ducks have the same Standard weights as Aylesburys. In 

 color they resemble the common colored ducks, though in well bred stock the 



colors of the plum- 

 age are clearer, and 

 in the male more 

 brilliant than is 

 usual in common 

 ducks. * Consider- 

 able differences of 

 opinion exist as to 

 the merits of the 

 Rouen duck. A 

 result of the ac- 

 knowledged superi- 

 ority of the Pekins 

 for the purposes of 

 the duck farmer, 

 has been to throw 

 other varieties no 

 matter how many 

 good qualities they 



Pig. 91. Rouen Ducks. (By courtesy of "Poultry," England). pOSSCSS into the 



shade. That good Rouen ducks are inferior to Pekins in vigor, prolificacy, 

 capacity for rapid growth, or actual quality of meat, remains to be proved. 

 The color of the Rouen is against it as a table duck. As the duck industry is 

 principally the growing of ducks for the table and of stock from which to pro- 

 duce table ducks, the Rouen never can be seriously considered a competitor of 

 the Pekin ducks in economical duck growing. It is a duck for the fancier and 

 for those who keep ducks for home use, and do not object to the dark pin- 

 feathers. 



351. Cayuga Ducks have the same standard weights as Pekins, but prob- 

 ably average much lighter. They are classed as hardy, early maturing birds, 



*NOTE. Wright supposes the common colored ducks to be degenerate Rouens. It 

 would be more natural to think the Rouen a vastly improved common duck. 



