Khaki Campbell
A Khaki Campbell (or just Campbell) is a breed of domesticated duck that originated in England and is kept for its high level of egg production. The breed was developed by Adele Campbell of England at the end of the 19th century.[1] The "Khaki" portion of the name refers to the duck's typical color.
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Description [edit]
Adult Campbell ducks weigh approximately 3-5 pounds. Campbells can come in three color varieties: khaki, dark and white. They are a cross between Mallard, Rouen and Runner ducks. The Khaki Campbell drake is mostly khaki colored with a darker head usually olive green lacking the white ring of its Mallard ancestors. The Khaki Campbell duck has a more modest plumage of Khaki covering the entirety of the body. Despite popular misconceptions of skittish or flightly behavior Campbells are a very gentle, passive and friendly breed when raised by hand until maturity. They are a good breed for young families and children to raise.
The egg production of the Campbell breed can exceed even the most efficient of egg laying domestic chickens, with the breed laying an average of 320 eggs a year. When provided a moderate "duck conscious" environment to live in they will lay a more than modest amount of eggs per week.
Khaki Campbells become mature at approximately 7 months. Khaki Campbell ducks seldom hatch out others young; however, in very communal situations do hatch large broods together. Most brooding behavior has been sacrificed in exchange for prolific egg laying ability in this breed. The ducks, when raised by hand, are not usually defensive of their eggs or nests making collection of eggs very easy. Mechanical incubators or broody chickens are used to hatch out Khaki Campbell ducklings when hens are not present in the process. Incubation takes approximately 23 to 28 days for a Khaki Campbell duckling to hatch and need to be inspected for ducklings that have not emerged from their egg completely.
History [edit]
In the late 1800s Adele Campbell purchased a Fawn and White Indian Runner Duck which was an exceptional layer (195 eggs in 197 days) and crossed it with a Rouen Duck in an attempt to create a strain that would lay well and have bigger bodies.[2] The offspring were crossed with Mallards to increase their hardiness.[3] The resulting birds were prolific layers. The "Campbell" breed was introduced to the public in 1898. In an attempt to create a more attractive buff-coloured duck Mrs. Campbell crossed her original Campbells with Pencilled Runner ducks. The resulting colour reminded Mrs. Campbell of British army uniforms, so she named these new ducks "Khaki Campbell". In 1941 Khaki Campbell Ducks were introduced to the American Standard of Perfection.[1]
This breed of duck is listed as watch by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.[4]
See also [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Campbell Ducks |
References [edit]
- ^ a b "The Campbell Duck". The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
- ^ Dave Holderread (1978). Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. Storey. pp. 37–41. ISBN 1-58017-258-X.
- ^ "Khaki Campbell Ducks". Ashton Waterfowl. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
- ^ "American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Watchlist". 2006-06-04. Archived from the original on 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
