Aylesbury

The Aylesbury is a historic English table duck from the Aylesbury area of Buckinghamshire, developed when London markets wanted large white birds with pale skin and a broad carcass. It is often confused with the Pekin, but a true Aylesbury has a long deep body, relatively horizontal carriage, white plumage, orange legs, and a pale pink or flesh-colored bill rather than a bright orange one. The breed is mallard-derived and traditionally slower-growing than modern commercial meat ducks.

Because Aylesburys are heavy ducks, management should protect legs, feet, and feather condition. They do best with dry bedding, easy water access, and ground that is not constantly slippery or deep in mud. They are kept for conservation breeding, small-scale table production, exhibition, and historic farm displays, but they are not usually the most economical duck for rapid meat production. Breeders select for pink bill, body depth, size, fertility, and avoidance of casual Pekin crosses.

Colors: Apricot, Bibbed, Black, Blue, Buff, Chocolate, Fawn, Gray, Magpie, Mallard, Penciled, Pied, Pink Bill, Pure White, Runner Pattern, Silver, White