When most people picture a duck, they likely picture the Pekin. It’s one of the world’s most common production ducks, providing both large eggs and tasty meat. With a hearty constitution and docile nature, these ducks are also easy to raise and make great pets.
We will discuss everything there is to know about Pekin Ducks in this article, so you can decide if they are right for you.
Pekin Ducks Origins and Uses
Pekin ducks have a long history as production birds for humankind. They likely originated in Southeast Asia, although the exact location is disputed, and were domesticated in China at least 2,000 years ago.
They first reached the Western world when they arrived in England around 1872. After only a few years, they were introduced to America, where they quickly dominated commercial breed sales.
Historical and Modern Uses
From the early days of domestication through today, Pekin ducks are primarily used for eggs and meat. These ducks lay hundreds of large eggs each year, and grow plump quickly.
They’re also incredibly easy to raise. They enjoy a varied, free-range diet, tolerate cold weather well, and typically have a strong immune system along with minimal health issues.
Meat
They have many qualities that make them a popular choice for meat. Their dark meat has a lighter, delicious taste without the greasiness often associated with duck meat. They’re ready for butchering at six weeks when they typically weigh six months. However, most butchering occurs at 12 weeks, when the ducks weigh about 10 pounds.
Physical Characteristics of Pekin Ducks
Pekin ducks are immediately recognizable. They have white or creamy-white feathers over yellow skin, with large necks and wide bodies. Plus, they have a signature yellow beak along with yellow, orange, pink or reddish legs. The bold colors of their feet and bills typically stand out against their solid, light body colors.
They’re classified as a heavy breed with an average adult weight ranging between eight and 11 pounds when raised in captivity. However, they often don’t look as heavy as they are because they have long necks and an overturned rump. Compared to most dabblers, Pekins have a more vertical walking posture, which tends to give them an elegant appearance.
Male vs. Female
While sexing baby ducks under eight weeks is nearly impossible, determining whether an adult Pekin is a male or female is much easier. Honk volume varies – females quack loudly and boldly, while males have a honk that is quieter and more reserved. Also, males have a curled tail feature, called a drake feature.
Comparison to Other Duck Breeds
Pekin ducks offer many general benefits over other breeds in terms of ease of care, producing output, and even personality. They’re a great choice for anyone new to raising ducks. Plus, they’re affordable at any age or quantity.
Do Pekin Ducks Fly?
Pekin ducks can’t fly. They’re too heavy. Although they might flap their wings furiously on occasion, they’ll never get more than an inch off the ground, and usually can’t even manage that much. Their inability to fly contributes to their popularity, because keeping them doesn’t require tall fencing.
Pekin Duck Lifespan
The average lifespan of the pekin duck both in the wild and in captivity ranges between nine to 12 years. Ducks kept in captivity tend to live towards the longer end of that range because they face fewer threats from predators, and their free-range diet can be supplemented by nutrient-rich feed.
Pekins are a hearty breed with a strong resistance to disease. They can’t catch fleas, ticks, or other parasites. However, they’re susceptible to a variety of common duck diseases such as hepatitis, duck virus enteritis, avian cholera, and infection. Keeping them healthy involves vaccination, maintaining a stress-free environment, and keeping away unknown animals, crates, and other potential pathogen carriers.
Pekin Diet
Pekins typically eat free-range on the farm along with daily feedings of either poultry or chicken feed. Generally, when allowed to eat freely, domesticated Pekins eat the same diet as wild ones. They’ll eat just about anything they cross paths with, including:
- Crickets
- Nuts
- Flies
- Mosquitos
- Fish, Frogs, and Crustaceans
Aside from foraging, Pekins will also eat common game bird feeds, which helps increase their protein intake. Most common poultry or chicken feeds work well for adults. Ducklings can also eat chick starter feed, as long as it’s not medicated.
Layer feed is another common food source, especially for egg-producing ducks. The feed’s extra calcium and nutrients help improve overall egg quality, especially shell strength.
Feeding Needs
An adult Pekin needs about six to seven ounces of feed per day. If raised for meat or eggs, their daily rations can increase by several ounces. Many people feed their ducks in the evening, but any consistent time during the day will work.
Pekin Breeding and Egg Production
Pekin ducks, like all ducks, don’t mate for life. However, they do pair up for the duration of the mating season. They’ll typically pair up differently each mating season.
Mating season runs from late winter through early summer, which is typically February through May, although specifics vary based on geography. During mating season, males will bite, peck, bob their heads, and attempt to mount the females.
Egg Production
As expected for a duck known for its egg production, Pekins lay lots of eggs each year, and start at an early age. Hens typically start laying eggs between five and six months. They need at least eight hours of light each day to start egg production, so if they reach egg-laying age in the winter, they’ll need a solar light in their coop.
By adulthood, most Pekins produce about 200 to 300 eggs annually. Eggs are large, white, and have thicker, durable shells.
Shell durability is important because Pekins rarely lay eggs directly in the nest. Instead, they’ll drop eggs practically anywhere, then roll them into the nest. However, once in the nest, many hens show a reluctance to brood. Dominant hens frequently steal eggs and move them into new nests.
Pekin ducks have a far more predictable egg-laying schedule than chickens. They almost always lay eggs during the day, between dusk and dawn. Laying eggs when it’s light out helps make collection easier and helps prevent accidental damage.
Brooding vs. Incubation
Domestication has removed the brooding instinct from Pekins, so if you want to breed them, you’ll need to incubate the eggs.
Pekin Duck Behavior
Pekin ducks aren’t particularly aggressive, but their friendliness can vary. When raised as pets, they’re typically quite friendly, and will run over and honk when their favorite person appears. Although they can show wariness around strangers, they’re usually quite docile, including when around other animals.
Pekins don’t mind the snow and will spend significant time outdoors all year long. Their comfort with walking in the snow is a significant difference from chickens.
Keeping Pekin Ducks as Pets
Pekin ducks often make great pets. They’re friendly, non-aggressive, and usually interested in their human caretakers. If handled often as ducklings, they’ll grow into social creatures that feel comfortable with petting and affection. Some Pekins will even lay upside-down in their owner’s lap and accept belly scratches.
They’re loud to moderately loud at times, especially when alarmed or excited. If they think they’re going to get a treat, or see a person they feel attached to, they can make fairly loud honking noises. However, they’re typically no more or less loud than any other ducks found on a farm.
Additionally, Pekin ducks have no strong or offensive odors. However, if they regularly swim in a pond, they can track water and dirt into their sleeping quarters. You’ll want to provide plenty of dry straw to help them stay clean.
Tips on Pekin Care
Pekins require at least one liter of drinking water per day, as well as consistent access to clean water. They don’t have tear ducts, so instead they dip their eyes in water throughout the day. (A Pekin’s eyes will water if they become too dry.)
Ducks kept for commercial purposes require an enclosure with at least three square feet of space. If kept on a home farm, the more space they have, the more they’ll thrive. A minimum of ten square feet for every two ducks will keep them comfortable.
Although access to a body of water isn’t necessary, it’s ideal. Ducks enjoy spending time in the water, where they can find a variety of food and stay safe from predators. If access to a natural pond isn’t possible, a small plastic pond can work well as a substitute.
Finally, understand the predators in your area. For example, Pekin’s don’t need overhead fencing for containment, but it might help protect against raccoons.
Pekin Duck Cost
Prices vary, but most ducklings cost around $7 to $8 individually but can drop as low as $2 to $4 if you buy several hundred or thousands at once. Adult ducks aren’t as easy to find, but they commonly start between $10 and $50.
Pekins don’t have particularly high care costs. Feed typically runs around $100 a year, while veterinary costs for a healthy duck are often minimal, barring occasional vaccinations. If you need to construct a shelter, costs will vary based on its size and the materials used.
Because they’re the most common type of duck sold for dual-production, they’re available from a huge number of farm and poultry suppliers. Keep your eyes open for the next time your local shop stocks Pekin duck, as they make a great addition to your farm.
Noteworthy Facts about Pekin Ducks
Pekins are likely synonymous with ducks for many people due to the breed’s frequent appearances in pop culture. Both Donald Duck and the AFLAC duck are Pekins.
The Pekin breed has no connection to Peking Duck, which is a popular Chinese roast duck dish. Peking Duck is named after the Chinese city of Peking, not the type of duck used in the recipe.
Info Table
| Purpose | Eggs, Meat, Pets, Exhibition |
| Country of origin | China |
| Breed Class | Heavy |
| Weight – Drake | 8 to 11 pounds |
| Weight – Hen | 7 to 9 pounds |
| Eggs per year | 200 to 300 |
| Egg size [S/M/L] | Large |
| Egg weight | 90 to 100 grams |
| Egg production age | Approximately 5 months |
| Diet | Insects, small creatures, plants, poultry feed |
| Lifespan | 8 to 12 years |
| Flying ability | No |
| Personality | Friendly, “talkative” |
| Distinguishing features | White feathers, orange bill, upright posture |
| Varieties | Jumbo Pekin Duck |
| Cost (USD) | Between $2 and $8 depending on order volume |