Questions about duck keels

[TomCahalan]

I read about them in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. Is it really just a flap of skin that hangs down?

If it drags on the ground, does it get dirty and increase the chance of disease/parasites? Does it reduce the agility of the duck, making it more vulnerable to predators? Does it affect mating or other behaviors?

Is it hard to pluck? What does it look like on the carcass? Does it increase the skin:meat ratio?

How does it grow? When does it grow? What are the genetics behind it? Does it correlate with weight, or can a slender bird have a big keel? Could I breed rouens with runners over several generations to get a keeled runner?

Thank you for any assistance.

 

[Jpat]

Is that what your talking about?

 

[TomCahalan]

No, I'm talking about the keel found in Rouens and Aylesburys. It isn't the keel bone.