Aylesbury duck

The Aylesburyente is an old English ducks breed that was primarily bred in Aylesbury. It is like many other white duck races to a meat breed.

History

The breed dates back to the early 18th century. The duck was brought up in the area of Aylesbury mainly of workers and part-time farmers. It was usually the work of women and children, to take care of the chicks and ducklings.

To raise the ducks, the workers and part-time compatriots had on their property usually a small pond. In addition, shelters, where the ducks were allowed to rest. During the night, the ducks were housed in the living room or even in the bedroom. Isabella Beeton reported that in the huts of the workers and part-time farmers along the walls lined with hay boxes that would have been, where rested the ducks. Sometimes the ducks belonged to the workers, they often attracted the ducks but on behalf of a wholesaler on. Aylesburyenten hatched early in the year so that the ducks as early as July 25 around were ready for slaughter. In the UK the 19th century, these ducks breed was regarded as particularly delicate.

The primary market area for this duck was London, about 64 kilometers south of Aylesbury. The ducks were first driven in herds to London. Inns along the route offered to large, walled areas where herds could spend the night. Payment was usually with some ducks. To protect the feet of ducks, they were first herded through a flat Teerbeet and then by a flat Sägemehlbeet. From 1839 onwards there was a rail link to London, so that the arduous march became increasingly superfluous and the animals were transported by train to London.

Characteristics of the breed

Among the characteristics of this breed ducks counts of pink or flesh-colored beak and orange feet and legs. It is a massive duck with pale skin and a broad chest. The seat is supported in parallel to the ground. The pink to flesh-colored beak is an important hallmark of Art In ducks with a different beak coloration is intersections. The Aylesburyente is one of the largest and heaviest domestic ducks breeds, it is only surpassed by the Muscovy Duck and is as heavy as the Rouen duck. Full grown achieve the drakes a weight of 4.5 to 5.4 kilograms. The Ducks are 4.1 to 5.0 kilograms.

Pure Aylesburyenten are rare today. For most stocks, the smaller Peking duck was crossed. In many commercial duck breeds that are bred primarily for their meat, Aylesburyenten crossbreeding.

Others

The Aylesburyente is the heraldic symbol of the city of Aylesbury. A type of beer is named after the duck. In Aylesbury also lead two pubs, the duck race on their behalf.

Literature and links

• Janet Kear: Man and Wildfowl. T. & A.D. Poyser, London, 1990, ISBN 0-85661-055-0
• Http://www.g-e-h.de/geh/index.php/rassebeschreibungen/56-gefluegelenten/130-aylesburyente?5faf132dffd3d4c1eec696eb27bfa78b=0ffd41d039dab77f2daaa74cf42079a0
• Http://www.poultrypages.com/aylesbury.html (eng)

• Duck race