HeritageGoose13
Songster
- Apr 24, 2015
- 1,201
- 128
- 148
This thread is intended to be a discussion of three breeds whose histories have historically been very muddled. The purpose of this thread is to compare and contrast the three breeds. Pictures are appreciated, but for the most part I want this to be discussion. This first post will be relatively brief but we can go into further detail. I hope to encourage understanding and responsible breeding of these birds. Now let's begin!
First, we will start off with a history and description of the critically endangered Aylesbury duck, from 19th century England. It is white with a pink bill and very large with a keel. It was prized for its white feathers, which were used in quilts. They were replaced with what I call true pekins- more on that in a bit. Cross-breeding reduced their numbers. Today information is scant. There is next to nothing on this website about them, and their Wikipedia page has only one black-and-white photograph. Here is a nice picture from the Livestock Conservancy:
Now, some info on the pekin, the true/original pekin. They are white with orange bills. Originally from China, these are large, upright birds with a similiar stance to the Indian runner. Sometimes they are fed a high percentage of corn to turn their feathers yellow. This is the breed that replaced the Aylesbury. Sometimes these are called European Pekins because they are popular in Europe. Some pictures from feathersite:
Now you're probably thinking- if those are pekins... what are my ducks? In the 1800s, a man imported some true pekins directly from China and brought them to Long Island. It is widely believed that these birds were bred to Aylesburys. These ducks, which showed traits of both breeds, became known as Long Island ducks, and some people still call them that today. It is their true name, for they are their own breed, neither aylesbury nor pekin. Yet today so many of us own these ducks and call them "pekins." This was originally a mistake- people unfamiliar with Long Island ducks had likely only heard of pekins being white and assumed the birds were pekins. Over time, the name was more or less adopted as official: American Pekin- here a picture from wikipedia.
I propose we begin calling these "pekins" by their rightful name, the Long Island duck. The Long Island breed makes up around 95% of all ducks in United States of America; why should we keep calling it by a name that belongs to a different duck? I realize not everyone will make the name change over night, but over time I think we should begin using the term Long Island to describe the breed. That is my humble personal opinion. This would cut down on confusion and also make people aware of the two different breeds.
Who has experience with these breeds? Is anyone breeding Aylesbury? Does anyone have "true" pekin ducks in the United States or know where some could be found? What do you think now that you know your pekin is not really a pekin at all? Discuss, discuss!
Some useful links:
http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/aylesbury
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aylesbury_duck
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Pekins/BRKPekin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pekin_duck
First, we will start off with a history and description of the critically endangered Aylesbury duck, from 19th century England. It is white with a pink bill and very large with a keel. It was prized for its white feathers, which were used in quilts. They were replaced with what I call true pekins- more on that in a bit. Cross-breeding reduced their numbers. Today information is scant. There is next to nothing on this website about them, and their Wikipedia page has only one black-and-white photograph. Here is a nice picture from the Livestock Conservancy:
Now, some info on the pekin, the true/original pekin. They are white with orange bills. Originally from China, these are large, upright birds with a similiar stance to the Indian runner. Sometimes they are fed a high percentage of corn to turn their feathers yellow. This is the breed that replaced the Aylesbury. Sometimes these are called European Pekins because they are popular in Europe. Some pictures from feathersite:
Now you're probably thinking- if those are pekins... what are my ducks? In the 1800s, a man imported some true pekins directly from China and brought them to Long Island. It is widely believed that these birds were bred to Aylesburys. These ducks, which showed traits of both breeds, became known as Long Island ducks, and some people still call them that today. It is their true name, for they are their own breed, neither aylesbury nor pekin. Yet today so many of us own these ducks and call them "pekins." This was originally a mistake- people unfamiliar with Long Island ducks had likely only heard of pekins being white and assumed the birds were pekins. Over time, the name was more or less adopted as official: American Pekin- here a picture from wikipedia.
I propose we begin calling these "pekins" by their rightful name, the Long Island duck. The Long Island breed makes up around 95% of all ducks in United States of America; why should we keep calling it by a name that belongs to a different duck? I realize not everyone will make the name change over night, but over time I think we should begin using the term Long Island to describe the breed. That is my humble personal opinion. This would cut down on confusion and also make people aware of the two different breeds.
Who has experience with these breeds? Is anyone breeding Aylesbury? Does anyone have "true" pekin ducks in the United States or know where some could be found? What do you think now that you know your pekin is not really a pekin at all? Discuss, discuss!
Some useful links:
http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/aylesbury
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aylesbury_duck
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Pekins/BRKPekin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pekin_duck
this is very interesting I am eager to hear other points and discussions on this subject
