American Pekin Duck ( Domestic Duck)

The American Pekin is raised almost exclusively for meat.[16]:193 In the United States, more than half of all ducks raised for slaughter are of this breed.[2]:93 Numbers in the United States alone are in the tens of millions.[15] The birds are large-framed, hardy and fast-growing – they may reach a body-weight of more than 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) in seven weeks. They have a high feed conversion ratio, are calm-tempered and fertile, and their eggs have a high rate of hatchability.[2]:93 The Pekin's white feathers make the carcass easy to clean after being plucked.[16]:193

A number of commercial strains have been developed, including types kept solely as layers. From the time the birds reached the United States, selective breeding of meat birds was mainly directed towards size, strength and rate of growth. More recently, attempts have been made to reduce the proportion of fat in the carcass, even if growth rate and feed conversion ratio are also reduced.[2]:94

Pekin ducks may lay over 150 white eggs per year.[16]:193 They are not good sitters, and eggs may need to be artificially incubated.[16]:193

The American Pekin is sometimes kept for fancy and showing.[15] Show birds are often larger than commercial production stock.[2]:94