 A small flock of Blekinge ducks | |
| Conservation status | Critical (FAO, 2007) [1] |
|---|---|
| Other names | Coast duck |
| Country of origin | Sweden |
| Distribution | Scania |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Egg color | white [2] |
| Classification | |
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The Blekinge duck (Swedish : Blekingeanka), also known as the Coast Duck, [3] is a medium-sized Swedish breed of domestic duck prominent to the county of Blekinge. [4] [5]
The breed was first discovered in 1994 where a small flock of 2 drakes and 5 ducks lived with a fishing family in the Blekinge archipelago, hence it is speculated that it was not a duck purposely bred for use in agriculture. [6]
The Blekinge duck is often a lighter wild-colored duck similar to that of the Mallard, fully white individuals are rare but ever so often seen. The females weigh 2–2.5 kg (4.4–5.5 lb) and the males 2.5–3.5 kg (5.5–7.7 lb). [2]
Females can lay 70–100 white-colored eggs a year with an average weight for the eggs being 70–80 grams and the female can expect to lay on the eggs for 28 days before they hatch. [6] [7]
It is classified as an endangered breed due to its small population by organizations such as the FAO in 2007. [1] In 2012 the breed's population was at its largest with 208 breeding individuals, as of 2021 the breeding population had reduced to a total of 191 individuals but is increasing. [8]
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of harvesting useful animal products such as meat, eggs or feathers. The practice of raising poultry is known as poultry farming. These birds are most typically members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes. The term also includes waterfowls of the family Anatidae but does not include wild birds hunted for food known as game or quarry.
The greylag goose or graylag goose is a species of large goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae and the type species of the genus Anser. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and pink legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 centimetres in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kilograms. Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia often migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places, although many population are resident, even in the north. It is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BCE. The genus name and specific epithet are from anser, the Latin for "goose".
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The German Pekin, German: Deutsche Pekingente, is a European breed of domestic duck. It is commonly called simply Pekin or White Pekin. It is a different breed from the American Pekin, which is also commonly known by the same names. It was bred in Europe from birds originating in China and Japan and is distributed in many European countries.
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