Pekin Duck

We love these ducks! They are real characters, know their own minds, not at all shy and always up for a quack (chat!)

It is the most popular commercial duck breed in the United States and around 95% of duck meat consumed in the United States is Pekin duck. They are bred primarily for egg and meat production so if you are looking for the perfect dual-purpose breed look no further than the Pekin duck! The Pekins originated from the Mallards in China. Pekin hatchlings have bright yellow plumage with an orange bill, shanks, and feet. Fully mature adult Pekin ducks weigh between 3.6 and 5 kgs in captivity. Their average lifespan (if not eaten at an early age) is about 9 to 12 years. Their external feathers are white. They are gregarious characters and will usually group together with other ducks leading very social lives. An adult Pekin will lay an average of 200 eggs per year if it does not try to, or is prevented from, hatching them. They will lay their eggs in what they consider to be a safe place and will often lay where another duck has already laid. We set up our special duck nests (see our products) for our ducks and this gives them a communal place to lay that is dry and helps keep the eggs clean for easy collection. Pekin ducks are less "broody" than other ducks which means they will incubate eggs less frequently and they are more likely to abandon their nest before their eggs hatch. Pekin ducks, for the most part, are too heavy to get airborne which is a good thing especially if you want to keep them in one place like the orchard.