Crested (duck breed)



The Crested is a breed of domestic duck. It was probably brought to Europe from the East Indies by Dutch ships. It has its appearance because it is heterozygous for a genetic mutation causing a deformity of the skull.

History
The Crested probably originates in the East Indies, with subsequent development in Holland. Crested ducks are seen in seventeenth-century paintings such as those of Melchior d'Hondecoeter and Jan Steen.

In the United States the breed was described by D.J. Browne in 1853. The white Crested was added to the American Standard of Perfection in 1874; the black variant was added in 1977. The Crested was recognised in the United Kingdom in 1910.

A bantam version of the breed, the Crested Miniature, was bred by John Hall and Roy Sutcliffe in the United Kingdom in the late twentieth century; it was recognized in 1997.

Crested Ducks are bred from, and closely related to the common american pekin, as their crest comes from their breed, not a probable mutation.

Characteristics
Apart from the crest, the Crested is an ordinary-looking duck of medium size. It may be of any colour, although in the United States only black and white are recognised; in the UK, as in several other European countries, any colour is permitted. The crest varies widely in size, from unnoticeably small to a diameter of approximately $13 cm$. They have long, slightly arched necks, medium length body, much depth and fullness through the breast.

Though Crested Ducks can be good layers and have strong roasting qualities, the main interest and demand for the breed is as pets and decorations. They are not a popular show breed due to challenges associated with the crest genes also causing a fat body within the skull. Depending on the fat body's size and relative position to the brain, it can impede a duck's ability to ambulate. Many crested ducks experience a "tottering" walking pattern and, if knocked over, are unable to get up. Other issues caused by the fat body may include seizures, neurological problems, and even early death, though most individuals of this breed are known to live long, happy lives. Some breeders are known to not have any complications with their crested ducks. A behavioral test can help identify crested ducks with problematic fat bodies. The test involves placing the duck on its back and measuring how long it takes to right itself, which is repeated 13 times per duck. The minimum time required is 0.5 seconds, and the maximum is 62.6 seconds. Crested Ducks used for breeding should require no more than approximately 1 to 2 seconds to flip themselves back over rightfully.

Breeders have created a new strain of crested ducks with a closed skull, rather than an open one to avoid complications.

Use
Crested ducks are known to be decent egg layers at around 200-350 eggs annually. Their crests are commonly used in soups due to its fatty nature, or even on its own as a delicacy in some cultures. They produce a lean, carcass that is known to taste good due to the american pekin duck being their close relative, but they are also known to mature slower. They are excellent foragers due to their adventurous nature and can produce most of their own food this way, and serve well in a homestead.

The breed is prone to broodiness.

Breeding
Crested ducklings are known to have a 25% death rate if their parents both carry a crested gene; because of this, crested ducks are commonly bred with the american pekin duck because if its close relativity, and its very low mortality rate.

Males can become protective and aggressive of females & ducklings, and especially during mating season.