….Almost six weeks ago QHST Science had the worldwide exclusive pictures of the new ducklings at the school. Since then they’ve grown quite quickly and are nearly ready to head to the duck pond that has graciously accepted them. Here are pictures of the ducklings all taken within the last week and a half!
June 30, 2009
June 18, 2009
Getting to know you – Pekin Ducks
….As the ducklings keep on growing bigger and older they are starting to display a lot of the features characteristic of their breed – the Pekin duck. Most people know Pekin ducks from the image they have of them floating in a pond or from their most famous member:
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Donald Duck
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….However here are some facts about Pekin Ducks that will give you a more complete picture and might surprise you!
– Ancestors of the Pekin ducks originated from the canals which linked waterways in Nanjing, China (not Peking!) and originally had small bodies and black feathers.
– The first Pekins came to America in 1873. Four Pekins were brought to Long Island for breeding and they took to the conditions on the island and began multiplying so well that they are often known as the ‘Long Island Duck’.
– The average lifepsan of the Pekin Duck is between 9 and 12 years.
– The average mature Pekin Duck weighs between 8 and 9 pounds. They grow very fast and can weigh more than 5lbs at 8 weeks.
– Their plumage is white and they have orange bills, legs and feet.
– An adult Pekin can lay up to 150 to 200 eggs in one year.
– Pekins are one of the most popular breeds of duck as both pets and as a food source in the US.
– The scientific names for Pekins are Anas platyrhynchos domestica or Anas peking.
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.Here are some excellent sites to check out for more information on the Pekin breed:
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Mad Science @ QHST 