North American black ducks "R" Us!
We are always chuffed when we rear NABDs, but when a well laid plan comes off it really is the icing on the cake...
In 2010 in an effort to breed Koloa we put three
pairs into our large communal aviary in an effort to get them feeling fruity as a community. The result was 3 clutches of a middling fertility and 3:3 adult birds by September time!
In 2011 we decided to do the same with North American Black ducks. Having sourced a few extra birds from our Llanelli centre, three pairs were put into the aviary alongside some Black Brant and Cape Shoveler. The first week of April brought one nest, the second week a second and the third week a third! The first week of May has brought a fourth! The first pair decided to double clutch, and alongside some surprise eggs from London we have 4 beautiful broods of NABD nestled in the Duckery. What a result!
In the US I know of breeders who have far to many, and eggs end up in Omelettes and cakes in many an Aviculturist's home... In the UK however they are a bit of a commodity alongside the Koloa, and we could not be happier. To top it all off I am told that not only are our birds definitely pure (many captive populations have a splash of Mallard in them) but are very good specimens indeed.
Hopefully these guys will take pride of place in our up and coming Downy Duckling Day tours (28th May- 5th June every hour, once a day throughout June.)