AYLESBURY DUCK

The Aylesbury crossed the Atlantic and was first shown in the United States in the 1840 Boston show. But now, the breed is teetering toward extinction. In The Livestock Conservancy’s recent census of domestic waterfowl in North America, only slightly more than 100 breeding Aylesbury ducks were found, making them critically endangered. New stewards are needed now more than ever if the breed is to survive.

The Aylesbury’s large size and coloring make them an excellent market bird. This breed is pure white and has a characteristically straight, deep keel — extension of the breastbone — that nearly reaches the ground. A male will weigh about 10 pounds at maturity while a female, which lays about 50+ eggs annually, weighs around nine pounds.

The Aylesbury is of two types — exhibition and utility. The exhibition bird has a very deep keel which, according to Victoria Roberts of the Domestic Fowl Trust in England, makes