Khaki Campbell

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A Khaki Campbell drake perched on one leg

The Khaki 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 Mrs. Adah Campbell [1] of Uley, Gloucestershire, England at the turn of the 19th century. The "Campbell Duck" being introduced in 1898 [2] and the 'Khaki' variety introduced to the public in 1901.[3]

Description

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

An 8 week old Khaki Campbell (rear) and a 13 week old Mallard

Mrs Adah Campbell [1] commenced poultry-keeping around 1887 and later purchased an Indian Runner Duck of indiscriminate type which was an exceptional layer (182 eggs in 196 days),[4][5] and which formed the basis in developing the "Campbell Ducks"; in her own words "Various matings of Rouen, Indian Runner and Wild Duck were resorted to produce them".[6] 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 resorted to further cross-matings. The resulting progeny, introduced to the Public in January 1901, is alleged to have reminded Mrs. Campbell of British army uniforms, hence naming this new colour-form "Khaki Campbell Duck".

The Khaki Campbell Duck was formed and in 1923, Mrs. Campbell's husband, Dr. Arthur Campbell was elected president.[7] The following year, 1924, the Khaki Campbell Duck was accepted to the Standards of the Poultry Club, UK.[8]

In 1941 Khaki Campbell Ducks were introduced to the American Standard of Perfection.[9]

This breed of duck is listed as watch by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.[10]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Campbell Ducks.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 GRO & BMD Records
  2. ↑ Poultry, 12th August 1898, p. 336.
  3. ↑ Poultry 25 Jan.1901:viii
  4. ↑ Weir, Harrison. 1902 Our Poultry p.706-707
  5. ↑ Brown, J. T.1909 Encyclopaedia of Poultry Vol.1, pp.123-124
  6. ↑ Campbell, Mrs. in The Poultry World 02 Feb. 1912 :629
  7. ↑ Poultry News, 21 Dec. 1923 p.14
  8. ↑ The Feathered World Year book 1924 p.32
  9. ↑ "The Campbell Duck". The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 2006-08-08. 
  10. ↑ "American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Watchlist". 2006-06-04. Archived from the original on 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2006-07-12. 
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