Khaki Campbell facts for kids
Khaki drake perched on one leg
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| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk |
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| Other names | Khaki Campbell |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Use | eggs |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Egg colour | white |
| Classification | |
| APA | Khaki only |
| PCGB | yes |
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The Campbell is a popular type of domestic duck from Britain. It was first developed in a place called Uley in Gloucestershire, England. This happened around the year 1900. These ducks are especially known for laying many eggs.
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The Story of the Campbell Duck
The Campbell duck breed was created by Mrs. Adele Campbell. She started raising poultry around 1887. She bought an Indian Runner Duck that laid a lot of eggs. This duck became the base for her new breed.
Mrs. Campbell mixed different ducks to create the Campbell. She used Rouen, Indian Runner, and even wild ducks. The new ducks she created laid many eggs. The "Campbell" breed was first shown to the public in 1898.
How the Khaki Campbell Got Its Name
Mrs. Campbell wanted to create a duck with a more attractive buff color. She did more cross-breeding. The new ducks from this breeding were introduced in January 1901. They reminded her of British army uniforms. Because of this, she named this new color "Khaki Campbell Duck."
A special club for Khaki Campbell Ducks was formed. In 1923, Mrs. Campbell's husband, Dr. Arthur Campbell, became its president. The next year, in 1924, the Khaki Campbell Duck was officially recognized by the Poultry Club in the UK. In 1941, Khaki Campbell Ducks were also accepted into the American Standard of Perfection.
What Do Campbell Ducks Look Like?
Campbell ducks can come in three main colors. These are khaki, dark, and white. They were developed by mixing Mallard, Rouen, and Runner ducks.
Khaki Campbell Appearance
The male Khaki Campbell duck, called a drake, is mostly khaki-colored. His head is usually a darker olive green. Unlike his Mallard ancestors, he does not have a white ring around his neck. The female Khaki Campbell duck has a simpler khaki color all over her body.
Why Are Campbell Ducks Useful?
Campbell ducks are famous for laying many eggs. They can lay even more eggs than most egg-laying chickens. A Campbell duck can lay an average of 300 eggs in a year. If they have a good home, they will lay a lot of eggs each week.
Reproduction and Ducklings
Campbell ducks become adults at about 7 months old. They usually do not sit on their own eggs to hatch them. This is because they have been bred to lay many eggs instead of being broody.
If you raise Campbell ducks by hand, they are usually not protective of their eggs or nests. This makes collecting eggs very easy. To hatch Campbell ducklings, people often use special machines called incubators. Sometimes, broody chickens are used to hatch the duck eggs. It takes about 23 to 28 days for a Campbell duckling to hatch from its egg.
