As with the breeding of other species of poultry, two factors are distinguished in duck breeding - early maturity and egg production. Most farmers around the world, because of their popularity in cooking chicken eggs, prefer breeding of meat breeds of ducks, paying attention to the time of gaining muscle mass and the taste of meat. Many farmers want to breed the largest breeds of ducks, which are unpretentious in care.
The painstaking work of breeders has led to the emergence of unique breeds of ducks. In this regard, consider the large representatives of this poultry, and find out what is the largest breed of ducks in the world according to TheBiggest.ru.
The BIGGEST breeds of ducks for breeding:
13
Beijing
The breed of these unique ducks was bred by Beijing breeders more than 3 centuries ago. Due to the speed of growth and tasty meat, the variety quickly spread throughout the world, and today it has become a common occurrence, both in the personal farmstead and in large poultry farms.
Adults can reach a weight of up to 3.5 kg, and some drakes exceed 4 kg. The Peking duck has a massive body with a wide chest and back, but the gracefully curved neck is short.
The bird is not whimsical in content and easily adapts to any climate.
12
Gray ukrainian
Poultry, bred by Ukrainian breeders, has a massive and strong body, besides with well-developed muscles. A small head has a powerful beak,
Gray Ukrainian has an unusual and original color. The average weight of adult females is 3 kg, but the drakes are much larger and grow up to 3.5 kg. They also grow rapidly. Ducklings by the age of two months gain 2–2.4 kg.
Low price and unpretentiousness in the maintenance and feeding make this breed one of the most popular among farmers in Europe.
11
Black white-breasted
One of the most beautiful breeds in the world differs from its relatives in the characteristic black color of feathers with white breasts. The legs of a beautiful bird are also black. The beak also has a dark color.
They were bred on the basis of crossing Ukrainian white breast with representatives of Chinese breeds. Representatives of this meat variety of poultry at the age of 6 months reach a weight of 3.5-4 kg.
Experts note the excellent taste of meat, high calorie, low fat. But egg production is 140 eggs per year. But eggs this breed of ducks can carry quite a long time. By the way, you can learn about the largest eggs in the world on our site thebiggest.ru.
10
Moscow whites
The Russian variety has a rather large, slightly oblong head and massive body. The back and chest are wide, and a rather large body is set horizontally relative to the ground.
Adults weigh an average of 3.8–4 kg, but egg production is 150 eggs per year. But they are bred mainly for meat.
Among the advantages it should be noted rapid growth, as well as tasty and soft meat. These qualities make Moscow white ducks quite popular not only in Russia, but also in the world.
9
Swedish blue
Representatives of the Scandinavian species of domestic birds have high productivity indicators. The most popular ducks among German breeders.
Swedish ducks are flexible, trusting and quickly get used to the person. In addition, they have an original silver-gray color, and the body is small, but compact and powerful.
They weigh from 3.5 to 3.9 kg. Note that due to the unpretentiousness of the content, they can be bred even in the northern latitudes, and in haste they are leaders among their relatives.
8
Medeo
The original hybrid with a romantic name was bred by Kazakhstan breeders. Peking ducks became the basis, and as a result, highly productive individuals with great egg production were obtained.
The color turned out, like that of the daughter individual, is white with an orange beak and reddish legs. The weight of the drake reaches 5 kg, and of females up to 3.5, which brings the species to the leading position.
It is noteworthy that Medeo does not require grazing, they can be kept in small territories and even in cells, and the largest number of them is kept in small farms.
7
Bashkir color
On one of the Russian breeding farms, a unique meat breed was bred, which has several plumage colors. You can find dark green birds, and sometimes unusual and beautiful - white-breasted.
Like all meat breeds, the “Bashkirs” have a massive, strong physique with short legs and a curved neck. The weight of adult birds can reach 4 kg. And that they reach remarkably high rates in weight in 2–2.5 months.
Specialists and restaurateurs highlight the good taste of low-fat meat.
6
Cherry valley
An amazing cross was bred in England. Scientists managed to get unique characteristics. On the maternal side, Cherry Valley is characterized by great egg production, but the drakes have fast weight gain, a massive body and tasty meat.
In just 7 weeks, ducklings gain 3–3.5 kg, but by the time of maturity the drake can weigh up to 5 kg.
The variety is not original in color. Individuals with white plumage have an orange beak and paws.
5
Indian runners
Consider in our review a large, but egg-laying Indian runner. Among the relatives, this bird is distinguished by the original statement of the body; these birds raise their body high and directly extend their long necks.
In addition, it is one of the oldest rocks on the planet. Egg production is up to 250 eggs per year, but the weight of adults reaches 3–3.5 kg.
In Russia, under the name “penguin”, these birds have been known since the mid-19th century, and today they can often be found on the farms of Russian farmers.
4
Musky
Due to the specific smell of feathers and skin, these birds got this name. Bred this unusual breed in South America, but due to its high adaptability to various conditions, it quickly spread to the USA, Canada, to European and Asian countries.
Interestingly, despite the domestication, these ducks are still considered wild. It would seem that it is a waterfowl, but Muskids do not like to swim, but take off and sit on the branches of low trees. By the way, we have interesting material about flightless birds of our planet.
Farmers breeding these birds produce high productivity, tasty meat and easy feeding. In addition, this is a fairly large breed. Drakes grow to 4.5 kg.
3
Mulard
Just the huge productivity of this species led to the breeding of Mulard on an industrial scale. But you can often meet these birds on personal farmsteads.
In two months, the Mulard gain weight up to 3–3.5 kg. This interspecific hybrid cannot live in the wild, as it is adapted only for artificial feeding.
The popularity of the breed is evidenced by the fact that in France there are approximately 35 million female individuals whose meat is used to make foie gras. Also, the bird is distributed in the USA, England and some countries of Southeast Asia.
2
Rouen
By name, you can understand that this large individual was bred in France. The peasants of Normandy once taught wild ducks, and painstaking selection work led to the appearance of crosses reaching a weight of 3.8 kg in a few months.
This is a fairly rare breed. Due to the low productivity and unpresentable type of meat, it is kept mainly for decorative purposes and to participate in various exhibitions.
The unpopularity of French ducks among domestic farms is also due to the complexity of caring for young animals. But still, the meat is tasty and juicy is considered a delicacy and is quite expensive.
1
Blue favorite
The state breeding program at the Blagovarsky plant has led to the appearance of an amazing breed that is unpretentious in maintenance. Favorite is characterized by a unique gray color with an unusual blue tint.
Specialists-breeders and breeders note a high survival rate in both adults and ducklings.
Favorites for two months of feeding gain 3-4 kg, and some drakes weigh 5 kg or more. Perhaps this is the largest duck in the world among meat breeds.
🦆
Conclusion
It is difficult to choose among the largest breeds the best option for breeding. Each breeder individually approaches this issue, and breeders continue to work on the development of new, unique hybrid varieties.
Ducks have long been commonplace in poultry farming, and in modern conditions, they compete with chickens and other domesticated birds on farmsteads and poultry farms for popularity.
At the end of our review, we note that ducks were domesticated about a thousand years before the beginning of our era, during the late Paleolithic. And interestingly, this process took place simultaneously in different parts of the world. Thebiggest.ru editorial team thanks you for your attention and asks to write interesting and useful comments about the largest breeds of ducks under the article.
Article author: Valery Skiba