Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs

Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs

Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs are a protected geographical indication product.

　　Guangshan Ma Duck is a medium-sized, dual-purpose local duck breed known for its high egg production, strong adaptability, tolerance to coarse feed, foraging ability, and disease resistance. It is commonly referred to as "Mountain Climber." This duck breed has a large population and stable genetic traits, making it an outstanding local variety in the province.

I. Overview

The Guangshan Ma Duck and Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs originate from Guangshan County, Henan Province. With a long history, the Ming Dynasty's *Guangshan County Annals* from the Jiajing era noted, “Since ancient times, it has been said that Fuguang has many fine ducks,” while the Qing Dynasty's *Guangshan County Annals* from the Qianlong era stated: “Local geese and Guang ducks.” Starting in the 1980s, Guangshan Ma Ducks and their eggs became export products to Hong Kong, gaining fame both domestically and abroad. In 2005, the population of Guangshan Ma Ducks reached 5.1 million, with 3.8 million slaughtered. They are mainly distributed along the four tributaries of the Huai River within Guangshan County: the Bailu River, Xiaohuang River, Zhai River, and Zhugan River. Currently, the products are mainly sold in Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Fujian. Due to their high-quality down feathers, high slaughter rate, attractive carcass, tender meat, and delicious flavor, multiparous hens are ideal for making soup, while adult Guangshan Ma Ducks are well-suited for making cured duck, making them highly favored by consumers.

II. Breed Formation

Guangshan County is located in the southeastern part of Henan Province, bordered by the Dabie Mountains to the south, the Huai River to the north, neighboring Huangchuan to the east, and facing Luoshan across the river to the west. The county has 25 townships, a population of 787,000, and a total area of 1,831 square kilometers, including 189,000 mu of water surface and 580,000 mu of paddy fields. The annual average precipitation is 1,027 mm, the average temperature is 15.4°C, the frost-free period is 226 days, and the annual sunshine duration is 1,990 hours. The climate is mild, rainfall is abundant, and the soil is fertile. Guangshan Ma Ducks feed on fish, shrimp, insects, and snails, drink from flowing streams, swim in lakes, ponds, weirs, and dams, chase through mountain streams and creeks, and forage among rice fields and crops. These conditions have gradually shaped the unique breed characteristics and intrinsic qualities of the Guangshan Ma Duck and its eggs.

III. Breed and Quality Characteristics of Guangshan Ma Duck

The Guangshan Ma Duck is medium-sized, with a slender neck and an elongated, narrow body. It has full plumage, a balanced physique, white chest and abdomen, yellowish-red shanks, and bluish-yellow beaks. Some individuals have a “white neck ring” and “white eyebrows.” Female ducks are mostly brownish speckled, with light white wingtips and undersides. Male ducks have large heads, dark green feathers, brown or mottled backs, black neck and tail feathers, and some are entirely brownish speckled. Adult female ducks weigh 1,400–1,600 grams, while adult male ducks weigh 1,800–2,100 grams. At 190 days old, the egg-laying rate can reach 90%–95%, lasting for over 100 days. The annual egg production is 170–190 eggs, with a fertilization rate of 90%–95%, a fertilized egg hatchability of 90%–97%, a brooding rate of 95%–98%, and a survival rate of 96%–99%.

The meat of the Guangshan Ma Duck contains 16.9% crude protein, 1.0% crude ash, 0.5% total sugar, 7.0% crude fat, and 72.4% moisture. Compared to other duck breeds, it has higher levels of protein, crude ash, and total sugar, but lower levels of crude fat and moisture. The meat is mild in nature, tender in texture, and especially delicious when cooked or used in soups. Particularly, the soup made from multiparous hens has a layer of clear oil floating on top, with milky-white broth that is flavorful and slightly sweet, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. It is known to nourish yin, reduce internal heat, strengthen the spleen, and stimulate appetite. When made into cured duck, whether steamed, stewed, or stir-fried, it has a moderate taste, is rich without being greasy, and offers a unique flavor.

IV. Quality Characteristics of Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs

Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs weigh 62–65 grams each, mostly white with 10%–20% being bluish-green. The shells are clean, smooth, thick, and not easily broken. The yolks are large and protruding, with colors ranging from deep yellow to orange-red. The egg whites are clear, thick, and well-separated, with intact and elastic chalazae.

Guangshan Ma Duck Eggs contain 9.6% crude protein, 1.3% crude ash, 9.6% total sugar, 9.9% crude fat, and 70% moisture. Compared to other duck eggs, they have higher levels of protein, crude ash, and total sugar, but lower levels of crude fat and moisture. When made into salted eggs, the boundary between the yolk and white is distinct. The egg white has a delicate texture, while the yolk is deep red, rich in oil, and delicious. They are one of the preferred foods for nourishing postpartum women, the elderly, the sick, the weak, and children, offering benefits such as strengthening the body and providing nourishment.