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Aylesbury
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female |
male |
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History
The Aylesbury, like the Orpington, is named after the place of its creation, the Vale of Aylesbury, England. The birds where originally called the White English, but by the early 1800s the Aylesbury duck was so famous that the birds became known as the Aylesbury. Their breeding success was believed to come from a handy supply of white gravel found in the local streams which gave the birds their pale pink bills. The birds were bred in the 'Duck End' of town often in people's cottages. Some would even take their ducks to bed to guarantee that they were warm. When going to market the ducks were often walked from Aylesbury to London, a distance of some 40 miles. This took several days and their feet would be protected by a covering of tar and sawdust, which was re-applied every morning. By the 1850s Aylesbury town's market dominance declined as the town become industrialised and new sanitary regulations made duck rearing in cottages difficult.
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Behaviour
The Aylesbury has always been regarded as a great table bird as it grows and matures very quickly and has a flavour and quality that is hard to match. Aylesburys are good natured and friendly, although they do have quite a loud quack.
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Varieties
Aylesburys are only available in pure white.
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Status: Rare
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Egg Colour: Cream
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