Alabio ducks are a crossbreed of local ducks in Indonesia and Pekin ducks and are now considered domestic ducks. They are incredibly popular to raise in Indonesia, but likely, if you live anywhere else in the world, you have not heard of them. These ducks are identified by the brown coloring and white spots along with their bodies. Many ducks feature a dark line across their eyes.
This breed is excellent for farming or meat production, and they are tamer than other ducks. There are over 162 species of ducks, geese, and swans in the world. Each duck is unique and noteworthy in specific areas of the world.
Alabio Duck Origins and Uses
These ducks are also sometimes called Itik Alabio. They are ducks bred from two other ducks, a crossbreed of local ducks and Pekin ducks. In Indonesia, these ducks now have two purposes, they are used to lay eggs, and they are also bred for meat production. Since these ducks are used for two different things they are called dual-purpose ducks.
Many Alabio ducks can live in confined areas, but they need the proper homes to keep them healthy. The more space they have to move around, the better they behave and the healthier they are. This utility breed is good for smaller farms that have enough room for spacey cages. One more important thing to note is that these ducks love water. So, on top of clean homes with room, they also need access to fresh water.
Alabio duck meat can taste extremely delicious if cooked properly. This is why many people choose to farm this breed of duck in Indonesia. It has more fat than other meat; the duck meat tends to be juicier, more tender, and stronger than chicken.
Physical Characteristics of Alabio Ducks
Alabio ducks have a very distinct look from other ducks, especially Pekin ducks. These ducks were a crossbreed between Pekin ducks and the local Indonesian ducks. The Pekin duck is known for its white feathers and yellow-orange bill.
On the other hand, the physical characteristics of the Alabio ducks are drastically different. Instead of white feathers, they have brown feathers that cover their entire body. Most of these ducks have white spots that make them easy to recognize. Many Alabio ducks also feature a dark line covering their eyes, making it seem like they wear a type of eyeliner.
The standard weight of an Alabio duck is 1.6-2.0kg. The males tend to be on the bigger side between 1.8-2.0kg, while the females are on the smaller side, 1.6-1.8kg. The height of these ducks is around 20-23 inches.
Do Alabio Ducks Fly?
Alabio ducks are amazing fliers, which also means they are hard to keep in one area. This is why it is crucial to have a good housing facility for this breed of duck. Having these ducks as free-range farm animals may help them stay healthier and keep obesity to a minimum.
Keep in mind that ducks bred for meat tend to stay on the ground more. One of the reasons they are so tasty is because they are fed to be plump. The thicker and more obese an Alabio duck is, the less likely they are to fly well.
Alabio Duck Lifespan
Most domestic ducks have an average lifespan of 10 years. However, this can vary dramatically depending on what they are bred for. Meat ducks tend to live for less than a year, depending on their size and weight. Many meat farmers will butcher their ducks around week 9 or 10 of the ducks’ lives.
Some Alabio ducks live for much longer than ten years; some have been reported living up to 20 years old if they are free-range and not for meat. The healthier a duck habitat is, the longer the ducks will survive. Most ducks will continue to lay eggs for a very long time; they will only stop laying eggs a few years before they die.
Domestic ducks have a few common health problems, such as abdominal fluid buildup, sticky eyes, and staph infections. Most domestic ducks are durable and hardy, but if you don’t check them regularly for these common infections, they can easily die.
Alabio Duck Diet
Domestic ducks mainly eat salad-like food. Think large leafy greens with tons of nutrients. Keep in mind some ducks are very picky and won’t eat wilted food. If Alabio ducks are wild or free-range, they will eat leafy greens, insects, and crustaceans.
When ducks start laying eggs, they will need to eat crushed oysters or other eggshells for the nutrients. The eggshells provide the ducks with extra calcium required for bone development, muscle growth, and are crucial for the females to produce their eggs. Calcium is also vital for wing development and will help the ducks fly better.
Ducklings cannot eat everything a grown duck will eat. Baby ducks need fruits, starter vegetables, and small dried insects. Many duck owners will feed the ducklings mealworms and fly larvae. The small mealworms will provide enough protein for your baby ducks to grow until they are feathered.
Domestic ducks should be fed twice a day to keep them healthy. They should be fed once in the morning and once in the evening. A steady supply of food is necessary for them to maintain optimal health. Baby ducks digest food faster than older ducks, and they will need to be fed more regularly. Sometimes baby ducks will need to be fed three to four times a day. Many baby duck owners choose to set out a feeder, so the ducklings have control over when they eat.
Alabio Duck Breeding and Egg Production
Most domestic ducks do something similar to what humans call courtship. Ducks will have specific moves to show they are interested in a partner, and this may come across as a “duck dance.” If the female returns the moves, it means she is interested in the male.
Once they have both signaled their interest, they are mated for the season until they have ducklings. Once the eggs are fertilized, male ducks start molting in a different area while the female takes care of her eggs.
These ducks do not mate for life, but they do mate per season. This means during one season, they will have one mate, but it may not be the same mate year-round. This is true with 49% of all waterfowl, and these ducks are no different.
The laying period for most ducks is two weeks, while the incubation period is one month. However, some ducks report having a laying period of 10 days. Many ducks can lay one egg every 24 hours and occasionally every 48 hours.
Typically, a female will only lay one clutch per season. There can be between 12-18 in one clutch, though not all will survive. However, many ducks can lay up to 200 unfertilized eggs per year. The eggs look bigger than chicken eggs, and most Alabio eggs are white.
Alabio Breed Behavior
Ducks have different behaviors amongst breeds. Each duck also may have personalities that make them favorable among pet owners. Most Alabio ducks exhibit energetic moods that are also very tame. This combination makes them easy to breed. They can be kept happy rather easily and need very little work to maintain.
Occasionally, you will find your ducks to become grumpy. This typically only happens if your ducks are molting. This is when the old feathers come out and are replaced with new feathers. During this time, ducks can get a little moody. Most domestic ducks will go through molting two times a year. They may not be up for socialization during this time.
Keeping Alabio Ducks as Pets
If you have a garden and love being outside, Alabio ducks are an excellent pet to have. They are easily tamed and overall happy little pets to have around your home. Alabio ducks produce tons of manure which is great fertilizer for your garden, and none of the duck poop will go to waste. These ducks are easy to take care of and won’t cause too much damage to your home.
The only downfall to having these ducks as pets is that they need tons of space to wander around and access to fresh water for drinking and swimming. They are also wonderful fliers, so they can escape easily. Ducks are naturally loud, which is also something to consider if you live in a quiet neighborhood. If you have a decent-sized backyard and can keep these guys happy, Alabio ducks can make fun pets.
Tips on Alabio Duck Care
If you plan to buy and breed domestic Alabio ducks, there are a few things to keep in mind. You will want to figure out if you are buying full-grown ducks or ducklings. This will determine what kind of food to get and what kind of shelter to set up. Keep this in mind when you are thinking about care tips.
- Ducklings need a warm environment for the first four weeks.
- Do not leave ducklings unsupervised in water.
- Provide a decent-sized home.
- Fencing is minimal and not always necessary.
- Use fencing if there are a lot of predators in your area.
- Feed 3 times a day as ducklings, and then twice a day when they are older.
- Feed ducks lots of greens.
- Check city ordinances to ensure you can own ducks.
Noteworthy Facts About Alabio Ducks
Here are some fun facts about this unique and interesting breed:
- Alabio ducks can lay up to 200 eggs a year.
- The males are called drakes.
- The male ducks can get super protective of their nests and chase others off.
- They are heat-tolerant.
Info Table
| Purpose | Eggs and meat |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
| Breed Class | Light-weight |
| Weight – Drake | 1.8-2.0kg |
| Weight – Hen | 1.6-1.8kg |
| Eggs per year | 200 |
| Egg size | Medium/Large |
| Egg weight | 1.70-2.0 ounces |
| Egg production age | 16 weeks |
| Diet | Leafy greens and insects |
| Lifespan | 10-20 years |
| Flying ability | Very good |
| Personality | Energetic and tame |
| Distinguishing features | Brown with white spots and a bold eyeliner |
| Varieties | 1 |
| Cost (USD) | $5-$20 |