Zhongshan Muscovy Duck

Zhongshan Muscovy Duck

　　Zhongshan Muscovy Duck is a dual-purpose breed for both eggs and meat, and is listed as one of Guangdong’s superior local poultry breeds. The land in Zhongshan is mostly alluvial sandy fields. In the past, there were more fields than people, labor was insufficient, and farming was extensive. Moreover, the area was prone to typhoons and pest damage, leaving a lot of grain scattered in the fields. In their production practices, farmers took advantage of ducks’ natural habits of pecking at pests and weeding by raising “cultivation ducks” (also known as treading duckweed ducks) during both early and late rice seasons to perform intertillage, weeding, and pest control. They also raised two batches of “dock ducks” that fed on leftover grains in harvested rice paddies, thereby achieving the dual benefits of grain and duck production. As early as 600 years ago, farmers in Zhongshan had already adopted this integrated agricultural and livestock production method, and the Zhongshan Muscovy Duck gradually developed under these specific conditions.

　　The Zhongshan Muscovy Duck has a moderate body size and less subcutaneous fat, making it ideal for dishes such as “Winter Melon Cup” and “Tangerine Peel Duck,” which are popular delicacies in teahouses and restaurants.

　　Apart from the male duck’s head and secondary wing feathers, which have a greenish sheen, along with its speculum feathers, the rest of the Zhongshan Muscovy Duck’s plumage is brownish speckled, resembling the color of sparrow feathers—hence the name “speckled duck.”

　　According to growth rate measurements by South China Agricultural College: at 30 days old, the meat duck weighs 259.2 grams; at 60 days old, 680.2 grams; and at 90 days old, 1,315 grams.

　　The peak egg-laying period occurs in the second and third years after the start of laying. Typically, each female duck lays between 160 to 170 eggs, with the highest reaching up to 200 eggs. Each egg weighs approximately 50–80 grams.

　　At 90 days old, the slaughter rate of both male and female ducks is 83.37%.

　　In addition to being raised locally, Zhongshan Muscovy Ducks are also distributed in areas such as Zhuhai, Doumen, Panyu, Dongguan, Xinhui, Nanhai, and Bao’an.