The Pekin duck, often recognized by its bright white plumage and plump body, is a ubiquitous sight. For many, particularly in urban environments, the Pekin duck is the quintessential duck, the breed that first comes to mind when picturing these waterfowl. Frequently referred to as the American Pekin, White Pekin, or Long Island Duck, this breed reigns supreme as the most popular domestic duck, with populations in the United States dwarfing all other duck breeds combined.
For those venturing into the world of duck ownership for the first time, Pekins often serve as an excellent starting point. Even seasoned enthusiasts exploring various duck breed options, while perhaps finding Pekins seemingly commonplace, shouldn’t overlook their remarkable qualities. Their widespread popularity is well-earned: Pekins excel in numerous aspects. They are exceptional meat producers, reliable egg layers, possess a pleasing aesthetic, exhibit friendly and calm demeanors, demonstrate hardiness and fertility, are readily available, and are simply delightful ducks to keep. Whether your interest lies in eggs, meat, or companionship, the Pekin duck is a breed that demands consideration.
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A quintessential Pekin duck, showcasing its iconic features.
Pekin Duck: Breed Overview
Appearance: Big and White is the Name of the Game
When describing Pekin ducks, two words immediately come to mind: big and white. Their visual characteristics are quite distinct and contribute to their widespread recognition.
The distinctive creamy white plumage of an American Pekin duck.
Photo credit: “My boy Flapper” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by tifotter
Color and Feather Details
Pekin ducks are characterized by their yellow-orange bills and matching shanks and feet. While their bills are predominantly yellow-orange, some may exhibit black speckles or splotches, though this is considered a flaw in ducks bred for exhibition.
Their plumage is notably white, often with a creamy or yellowish tint – the more pronounced the tint, the more desirable it is. Historically, the British Standard from 1910 to 1930 even stipulated that Pekin plumage should have a canary-like yellow hue. However, maintaining this intense coloration is challenging as sunlight tends to bleach the pigment. Achieving the “ideal” coloration without restricting the ducks’ access to sunlight proves difficult. The yellow tint can be enhanced through diet, by incorporating greens, corn, marigold petals, and other yellow-pigmented feed into their diet. Interestingly, Pekins are unique as the only white duck breed where pure white feathers are not considered the standard.
Adding to their distinctive appearance, Pekin feathers are exceptionally fluffy and bushy, resembling down more than the tightly packed, waterproof feathers found on many other duck breeds. This fluffy plumage contributes to their perceived size, making Pekins appear larger and chubbier than their actual body mass might suggest.
Pekin ducks are exclusively white; no other color variations exist within the breed. Pekin ducklings, in contrast, are born with a bright yellow down.
Pekin Duck Weight and Size
Classified as a heavy breed by the APA, Pekins are substantial birds.
- Female Pekins typically range from 8 to 9 lb (3.6-4 kg), while males are slightly heavier, weighing between 9 to 10 lb (4-4.5 kg).
- Jumbo Pekins are bred for increased size, reaching weights of 9-13.5 lb (4-6.1 kg).
- German Pekins, a related but distinct breed common in the UK, tend to be slightly smaller, with females around 8 lb (3.6 kg) and males at 9 lb (4 kg).
In terms of height, Pekins generally stand around 20 inches (51 cm) tall.
Pekins exhibit rapid growth, reaching 90% of their adult weight and full feathering by just 7 weeks of age. However, full maturity is achieved later, between 16 and 28 weeks.
Body Conformation
Conformation standards for American Pekins emphasize size and substance. They possess a long, broad body, a thick neck, and a large, rounded head. Their breast is wide and full, and they are solidly built, presenting a rectangular body shape when viewed from the side. Their body carriage is held at a 35 to 45-degree angle above the horizontal, and they feature an upturned rump and tail, contributing to their characteristic “marshmallow” appearance.
In essence, Pekins are often described as cute, chubby, white, and marshmallow-like in their overall appearance.
Egg Laying Capabilities
Large, white Pekin duck eggs.
Despite their primary classification as meat birds, many Pekin ducks are capable layers. However, it’s important to note that Pekin ducks exist in numerous strains, leading to considerable variation in egg production. An individual Pekin may lay anywhere from a modest 50 eggs to an impressive 300 eggs per year.
Annual Egg Production in Pekins
- Grimaud Hybrid Pekin: 150-200 eggs annually
- Jumbo Pekin: 140-175 eggs annually
- Cherry Valley Pekin: 200-300 eggs annually
- German Pekin: 50-80 eggs annually, occasionally up to 150
- Average American Pekin: likely around 125-225 eggs annually.
Pekins found in the UK are frequently of the German Pekin variety or similar strains, resulting in lower egg production compared to most Pekins in the USA.
Pekin eggs are white, sometimes with a slight yellow tint. They are notably large, typically weighing between 90-100 grams, exceeding the size of jumbo chicken eggs.
For those new to duck eggs, they are indeed edible and often considered as good as, or even superior to, chicken eggs. Their taste is comparable to chicken eggs but richer. Duck eggs are particularly advantageous in baking due to their richness, resulting in lighter and fluffier baked goods.
Egg Laying Seasonality
Some Pekins, especially those that are less prolific layers, exhibit seasonal laying patterns, primarily laying during spring and summer with minimal to no laying in winter. However, strains bred for higher egg production are likely to continue laying throughout the winter months.
The age at which Pekins begin laying is also variable, depending on the specific strain. On average, Pekins typically commence laying around 20 weeks (5 months) of age. Some may start as early as 16 weeks (4 months), while others may not begin until 28 weeks (7 months) or, in some cases, even 32 weeks (8 months).
If you have recently acquired Pekins, or if your ducks are young, they may not start laying until the following spring, particularly if they reach laying age during the fall or winter. Often, ducks reaching laying age in the colder months will postpone laying until their first spring.
Meat Production Prowess
Pekin ducks, the cornerstone of commercial duck meat production.
Commercially, American Pekins are overwhelmingly used for meat production, accounting for over 95% of duck meat produced in the United States.
Pekin ducks are ideally suited for meat production due to several key factors:
- Large size, yielding substantial meat quantity.
- Faster growth rate compared to other duck breeds.
- Efficient feed conversion, maximizing meat production per unit of feed.
- White feathers, resulting in a cleaner and more appealing carcass.
Growth Rate of Pekin Ducks
Pekins exhibit remarkable growth rates. By six weeks of age, they can reach 6-7 lb in weight, and by seven weeks, they can average around 8 lb. According to Dave Holderread, they can achieve as much as 8.5 lb in just eight weeks.
Jumbo Pekins, while growing slightly slower, ultimately attain larger sizes. They typically weigh 9-11 lb at 12 weeks and can reach up to 13.5 lbs as adults.
Pekins are commonly processed for meat at 6-8 weeks of age. At 8 weeks, they generally yield a dressed weight of 5 lb or more.
Feed Efficiency
Pekins are renowned for their exceptional feed conversion rate (FCR), generally ranging from 2.5 to 3. This means they require only 2.5 to 3 pounds of feed for every pound of live weight gain. Some sources cite an average FCR of 2.6, and certain Pekin strains can achieve FCRs as low as 1.9.
For context, the hybrid Cornish Cross chicken, known for its rapid growth, can achieve an FCR of 2 or potentially better under optimal conditions. Pastured Cornish Cross chickens often have an FCR around 3.5. They can reach 6lb at 6 weeks. Many heritage meat chicken breeds have a significantly higher FCR of 5 or worse.
Young meat Pekin ducks, demonstrating their fast growth.
Photo credit: “Ducks” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by Minhimalism
If meat production is your goal, Pekins are arguably the best duck breed choice. No other duck breeds rival their meat production capabilities. While Cayugas, Rouens, and Aylesburies are also used for meat, they do not compare to the Pekin in terms of efficiency. Muscovy ducks are their closest competitor, but they grow considerably slower.
The white feathers of Pekins further contribute to their preference for meat production, as they result in a more visually appealing finished carcass. The white pin feathers are less noticeable against the skin.
Pekin duck meat is richer in fat compared to chicken or Muscovy duck meat. It features lighter flesh and a milder flavor than Muscovy duck, but it is still classified as dark meat.
Broodiness and Mothering Instincts
A charming Pekin duckling.
Pekins are known for their lack of broodiness and poor mothering abilities. They rarely, if ever, become broody and sit on their eggs to incubate them. While occasional individuals may exhibit broodiness, even these ducks are often unreliable mothers. If hatching Pekin ducklings is desired, an incubator or a broody hen of another breed is usually necessary.
Flight Capabilities: Can White Pekin Ducks Fly?
The answer to the question “Can White Pekin Ducks Fly?” is generally no. Pekin ducks are considered flightless. Through generations of selective breeding for traits like rapid growth, substantial size, and high egg production, domestic ducks like Pekins have largely lost their ability to fly. Their bodies have become too heavy, and their wings, proportionally, are too small to effectively lift their weight for sustained flight.
While most domestic ducks have reduced flight capability, Pekins are particularly known for their flightlessness. Their substantial body size and focus on meat production have further diminished their ability to take to the skies.
It’s true that some smaller individual Pekin ducks might exhibit enough strength to jump and flap their wings powerfully, potentially achieving short bursts of flight or clearing low obstacles like a four-foot fence. However, these instances are exceptions rather than the rule.
For the vast majority of Pekin ducks, sustained flight is impossible. They are typically grounded, capable of only hopping a few inches off the ground at most.
If you encounter a “Pekin” duck that demonstrates significant flying ability, it is highly likely that it is not a purebred Pekin. Such a duck might be a White Mallard, a Call duck, a Pekin crossbreed, or possibly a Muscovy duck, all of which have different flight capabilities.
Pekin ducks also lack the migratory drive seen in wild ducks and will not attempt to fly away or migrate.
Due to their limited or nonexistent flying abilities, wing clipping is generally unnecessary for Pekin ducks. A fence as low as 3 feet, or even 2 feet, is usually sufficient to contain Pekins within an enclosure.
Noise Levels: How Vocal are Pekin Ducks?
A Pekin duck vocalizing.
Photo credit: “Quack!” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by tifotter
Pekin ducks are often characterized as a noisy duck breed. They are frequently cited as being among the most vocal domestic ducks.
However, individual temperament plays a significant role in noise levels. Experiences vary among duck owners; some report their Pekins as the quietest in multi-breed flocks, while others find them to be average or the loudest.
Objectively measuring the loudness of different duck breeds is challenging due to individual variations and the lack of standardized measurement methods.
It’s important to remember that all ducks quack frequently as a natural form of communication. Whether this quacking is perceived as “noisy” is subjective and depends on individual tolerance.
Male Pekins (drakes) are considerably quieter than females, as they do not produce the characteristic loud “quack” of the females.
Temperament: Friendly and Docile Ducks
Pekin ducks are known for their friendly temperament, making them good pets.
Pekin ducks are renowned for their calm and exceptionally friendly disposition. They are arguably one of the friendliest of all duck breeds. Their docile temperament makes them ideal as pets, particularly for families.
However, it’s advisable to avoid Jumbo Pekins as pets. Their excessive size and weight can lead to health problems and a reduced quality of life. Additionally, Jumbo Pekins tend to have significantly shorter lifespans.
Despite being among the heavier duck breeds, Pekins are quite active and excellent foragers, readily seeking out food in their environment.
Pekins are also remarkably hardy and adaptable. They can thrive in a wide range of climates with minimal issues. They are resilient birds and generally not prone to illness.
Lifespan of Pekin Ducks
- The typical lifespan of a Pekin duck is 5-10 years.
- The average Pekin duck likely lives around 7 years.
- With excellent care and optimal health, individual Pekins may live up to 10-15 years.
- Jumbo Pekins, however, have considerably shorter lifespans, often ranging from just 1-5 years, frequently succumbing to heart failure due to their rapid growth and large size.
In general, Pekins have relatively shorter lifespans compared to some other duck breeds. However, the lifespan can vary considerably depending on the specific strain, with some being healthier and longer-lived than others.
Male Pekins tend to live longer than females, primarily due to the increased risk of reproductive issues in females, such as egg binding. As many Pekins are bred for meat production rather than longevity, they can be predisposed to laying-related health problems.
Jumbo Pekin Ducks: Bred for Size
The term “Jumbo Pekin” is loosely defined but generally refers to Pekin strains selectively bred for larger size than standard Pekins. Jumbo Pekins represent the largest Pekin ducks available. They are primarily bred for meat production and lack the refined conformation sought in show birds.
Jumbo Pekins are approximately 15-18% larger than standard Pekins. By 12 weeks, males can reach 11 lb or more, and females can reach 9.5 lb or more. As adults, Jumbo Pekins weigh between 9-13.5 lb.
They lay approximately 140-175 eggs per year.
Jumbo Pekins are not recommended as pets or for egg production due to their inherent health issues. Their legs are not structurally designed to support their excessive weight, similar to Cornish Cross chickens. They are highly susceptible to leg and joint problems, and many individuals become lame or crippled within a few years. They are also prone to heart failure and often have short lifespans of only 1-5 years.
If you do own Jumbo Pekins and aim to maximize their well-being, consider these tips:
- Supplement their diet with ample niacin, particularly during ducklinghood, to promote strong leg development.
- Avoid free-feeding Jumbo Pekins. They should be fed a restricted diet to manage their rapid growth rate.
- Ensure Jumbo Pekins have access to deep swimming water to alleviate pressure on their legs and joints.
Grimaud Hybrid Pekin: A Commercial Meat Bird
The Grimaud Hybrid Pekin, developed by the French breeder Grimaud Frères, is a commercially popular meat bird known for its rapid growth, improved feed conversion rate, and respectable laying potential.
It is a hybrid cross between two Pekin strains: a fast-growing male from their GL50 line and a high egg-producing female from their GL30 line. Grimaud Frères markets this hybrid cross as the “Star 53.” While the ducks are purebred Pekins, the parent lines are genetically distinct, resulting in hybrid vigor in their offspring.
According to their website, their STAR 53 Medium reaches 7.5 lb at 6 weeks, 8.86 lb at 7 weeks, and 9.8 lb at 8 weeks. Their STAR 53 Heavy achieves 7.7 lb at 6 weeks, 9 lb at 7 weeks, and 10 lb at 8 weeks.
The STAR 53 Medium has an FCR of 1.87 at 6 weeks, 2.09 at 7 weeks, and 2.48 at 8 weeks. The Star 53 Heavy has an FCR of 1.88 at 6 weeks, 2.11 at 7 weeks, and 2.52 at 8 weeks.
The ducks shown in the video are between three and four weeks old.
Metzer Farms sells Grimaud Hybrid Pekins and reports their birds reaching 8.1 lbs in 7 weeks, with a dressed weight of 5.26 lb and a breast filet percentage of approximately 25%.
They lay around 150-200 eggs per year.
Aside from these performance enhancements, the Grimaud Hybrid Pekin is similar to a standard Pekin in most respects.
Cherry Valley Ducks: Another Commercial Strain
Cherry Valley ducks are not a distinct breed but rather another commercially significant strain of Pekin ducks. Developed by the British company Cherry Valley Farms, they have become a dominant choice for commercial duck meat producers globally.
Cherry Valley offers two variants: SM3 Medium and SM3 Heavy. The SM3 Medium reaches 7.5 lb in 6 weeks, and the SM3 Heavy reaches 7.7 lb in 6 weeks. At this age, the SM3 Medium has an FCR of 1.92, while the SM3 Heavy has an FCR of 1.88.
A notable feature of Cherry Valley Pekins is their exceptional egg-laying potential, producing 200-300 eggs per year. This makes them one of the most effective dual-purpose duck strains available.
German Pekin: A Distinct European Variety
A German Pekin duck, notable for its upright posture.
Image used with permission from The Domestic Waterfowl Club of Great Britain.
Pekins have diverged into two recognized breeds: the American Pekin and the German Pekin. Despite sharing common ancestry from Chinese stock, they are now considered separate breeds. However, confusion persists because “Pekin” in the United States generally refers to the American Pekin, while in the UK and Europe, “Pekins” typically denote German Pekins. The majority of Pekins in the UK today are descended from German Pekins imported around 1970.
The German Pekin is essentially a Pekin with a more upright, Runner-like or penguin-like stance. Conformation is the primary distinguishing factor between German and American Pekins. German Pekins exhibit a nearly vertical body carriage, broad shoulders, wide breasts, short necks, chubby heads, and short bills. Their short, thick necks prevent them from turning their heads back to rest in their back feathers while sleeping. Instead, they rest their heads on the ground, sometimes appearing as if deceased, which can lead to watery eyes.
German Pekins are considered critically endangered and are listed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) watchlist.
German Pekins lay fewer eggs and are smaller in size compared to their American counterparts.
Many lay 50-80 eggs per year, with some reaching up to 150. Their eggs weigh 70-80 grams.
Drakes weigh approximately 9 lb (4.1 kg), and ducks weigh around 8 lb (3.6 kg). While originally bred for meat, German Pekins are now primarily an exhibition breed, though they have played a role in the development of commercial meat ducks.
A show-quality German Pekin duck.
Image used with permission from The Domestic Waterfowl Club of Great Britain.
Pekin vs. Aylesbury: Distinguishing White Duck Breeds
A Pekin duck with its characteristic orange bill.
Photo credit: “Long Island Pekin Duck” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by Mr.TinDC
An Aylesbury duck, distinguished by its pink bill.
Image used with permission from The Domestic Waterfowl Club of Great Britain.
Pekins are not the only large, white duck breed. The Aylesbury duck is another large, white breed, but it is distinct from the Pekin. Originating in Aylesbury, England, Aylesbury ducks are considerably rarer than Pekins and are classified as critically endangered.
The primary visual difference between Aylesbury and Pekin ducks lies in their bill color. Aylesbury ducks have pink bills. If a duck is labeled as an Aylesbury but has an orange or orangish bill, it is not a purebred Aylesbury.
Some commercial Pekins may exhibit pink or pinkish bills, particularly young Pekins and female Pekins that are actively laying eggs. This is likely due to the historical use of Aylesbury ducks in the development of commercial meat Pekins, such as Cherry Valley Pekins. The frequent confusion between Aylesbury and Pekin ducks has also led to crossbreeding, meaning many Pekin ducks may not be purebred and could be Pekin/Aylesbury crosses or mixes.
In fact, the original American Pekin may have been created by crossing Aylesbury ducks with Chinese Pekins, suggesting that the modern Pekin may have some Aylesbury ancestry. Regardless, the modern Pekin is considered an independent breed from the Aylesbury and is standardized to have an orange bill.
Pekin Duck vs. Peking Duck: Spelling Matters
A Pekin duck, correctly spelled.
Image credit: “Flapper in Sunlight” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by tifotter
Peking duck, the culinary dish.
The spelling “Peking” in the context of the duck breed is incorrect. “Pekin duck” is the accurate term for the breed, while “Peking duck” refers to a culinary dish prepared with duck meat, often, but not always, from force-fed Pekin ducks.
The common misspelling arises partly from historical context. Pekin ducks were bred in China for centuries. In 1872, ducks hatched in Peking (now Beijing) were imported to the USA and UK. This led to the misconception that Pekin ducks originated from Peking.
Regardless of the historical reasons for the confusion, when referring to the live ducks, the correct spelling is Pekin, not Peking.
History of the Pekin Duck
The precise origins of the Pekin duck are uncertain, but they likely emerged over 4500 years ago, before 2500 BC. It is known that the Chinese domesticated the Mallard duck at some point. Through meticulous selective breeding, several domestic duck breeds evolved, including a duck they called “shi-chin-ya-tze,” or “ten-pound duck.”
In New York in 1870, a Chinese student, Mr. Chan Laisun, described this duck.
A letter by James E. Palmer, published in the September 1874 issue of The Poultry World, details the duck’s introduction to the United States.
Around 1873 in Peking, China (now Beijing), a Mr. McGrath observed these “ten-pound ducks” and incubated fifteen eggs under a chicken hen. He dispatched these fifteen ducks to New York with James Palmer aboard a clipper ship. After a 124-day voyage, nine ducks (six hens and three drakes) arrived in New York City on March 13, 1873. Half were intended for Mr. Palmer, and the other half for the McGrath farm. Tragically, the ducks destined for the McGrath farm were consumed before reaching their destination. Mr. Palmer retained the remaining four ducks, which became the foundation stock of the modern American Pekin, although further imports from China occurred later.
In 1874, Pekins were officially recognized and included in the American Poultry Association’s inaugural Standard of Perfection.
Pekins rapidly gained popularity and soon became the dominant meat duck breed in the United States. Eastern Long Island, with its favorable sandy soils and tidal ponds for duck rearing, became a central hub for Pekin duck production. By 1900, Long Island hosted thirty duck farms, growing to ninety by 1940. In the 1960s, Long Island’s duck farms were producing 7.5 million ducks annually. Today, only one farm remains: Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue.
History of the German Pekin
Around the same time as Mr. McGrath’s shipment of Chinese Pekins to the USA, in 1872, a man named Walter Steward also imported Chinese Pekins into the UK. Some of these were subsequently sent to Germany. Concurrently, the Dutch East India shipping company also brought upright-carriage ducks from Japan to Germany, known as “Penguin ducks.” These white, upright ducks were then crossed with the Chinese Pekins. The resulting offspring led to the development of the German Pekin, which was standardized in the UK in 1901.
A friendly Pekin duck, a delightful companion.
Photo credit: “Up?” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by tifotter
