Duck Breed Focus - Hook Bill

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sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
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Jun 28, 2011
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With their elongated, downward curving bills Hook Bill ducks look a bit different from other domestic duck breeds. This breed has a history of more than 400 years, making them the oldest domestic waterfowl breed in Europe. Charles Darwin even described hook bills in his books and kept them in his backyard pond. The origins of the Hook Bill is uncertain though. Old texts suggest they originated in Asia but they were developed further and kept extensively in The Netherlands at one point, on the canals where they were let out to feed and come back home at night. It is rumoured that the white-bibbed Hook Bill was bred to help duck hunters identify them from wild Mallards. They are good layers of blue eggs, tame very easily, are quiet compared to some other duck breeds and are very inquisitive.
Hook Bill ducks were first admitted to the British Waterfowl Standards in 1997. They were imported into North America by David Holderread in 2000 and are not yet admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection. They are generally called ‘Dutch Hookbill’ in America. Dusky Blue, Bibbed Dusky Blue, ‘Dirty White’ (non-standard colours in the UK) can be found in Holland and Germany.
Details:
Purpose: Exhibition; Utility: meat and eggs.

Eggs: 100 to 200 Blue Eggs annually
Origin: Asia(?)
Weight: Drake: 4.5 lbs, Duck: 3.9 lbs
Classification: Light
Colours: Dusky Mallard, White-bibbed Dusky Mallard, White.

Pic by @Birch Run Farm


Pic by @Birch Run Farm


Pic by @Birch Run Farm

BYC Breed Discussion:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...about-their-dutch-hook-bills-or-saxonese/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/231933/some-hook-bill-photos/0_30

Do you own Hook Bills? Are you a Hook Bill breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
 
What an interesting looking breed, I haven't heard of these before (but then, I'm pretty new to ducks). Looking forward to hearing members with them describing their experiences with this breed (and pictures are always great)!
 
I love this breed, don't know of many members who have them but hopefully we'll get some good response and high light this special breed of duck.
 
One of my favorite breeds!
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Have you kept them?
 
I wonder if there's any truth to the rumor that Hookbill drakes generally are pretty mellow and less troublesome than some of the more aggressive mallard-derived domestics.
 

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