Aylesbury duck

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The Aylesbury duck is a recent addition to the duck family, bred mainly for its meat and appearance. Its plumage is almost invariably white, with a pink or orange bill and either orange or (rarely) black feet. It is also the largest known breed of domestic duck.

The breed was developed around the early 18th century and became a cottage industry in Aylesbury in southern England. The ducks were walked to the markets in London, some forty miles (64 km) to the south, stopping at night at inns which provided large enclosed yards for a charge of a few birds. Each morning the feet of the birds were given some protection by driving them across a shallow ditch filled with cold tarry solution which made their feet sticky, then through sawdust which adhered to their feet. In 1839 the introduction of a railway connection made transport easier and the trade flourished, but around the middle of the century duck rearing in the town began to decline.

Following the introduction of the Pekin duck in 1873 the two breeds were often crossed, and the pure breed became rarer, but lately efforts have been made by breeders to re-establish the Aylesbury Duck. The breed is now farmed all over the world as the quality of meat obtained from the breed is particularly high.

The Aylesbury duck is the heraldic emblem of the town of Aylesbury, lent itself to the best bitter of the Aylesbury Brewery Company and to two pub names in the town.

The breed is deemed to be critically endangered in the United States.