Domestic Duck

Most domesticated ducks are descended from the wild mallard and over the centuries many different breeds have been created. They have been kept as pets, or for their ornamental value, or have been farmed for their meat, eggs and down. In The Domestic Duck, Chris and Mike Ashton explain how these breeds have been developed and how to look after them. Contents include: Breeds, their origins and characteristics; Classic ducks from all over the world; 'Designer' ducks of the twentieth century; Management of adult stock; Breeding and rearing ducklings; Common problems and ailments. Fully illustrated with over 170 black & white photographs and 35 colour photographs depicting examples of the pure breeds and all aspects of their management, this is the essential manual for all duck-keepers.

Auteur

Dr Chris Ashton and Mike Ashton specialize in rearing pure breeds of ducks and geese and have developed their stock over the last twenty-eight years. They are among the top waterfowl breeders in the UK, are judges in all sections of waterfowl, and have won the main waterfowl awards at the championship shows over many years. They gained the British Waterfowl Association 'Exhibitor of the Year' award in 1987 and each year between 1996 and 1999. Chris is the author of Domestic Geese [Crowood 1999] and she and Mike have both contributed regularly to Smallholder, Country Smallholding and Fancy Fowl magazines, and have written books on Indian Runners and duck colour breeding. Resident - Powys, Wales