Characteristics of crested ducks
Among all the variety of birds, crested ducks are considered one of the most spectacular. History says that they appeared as a result of crossing an overseas guest from China with European ducks. And for 300 years this breed has been decorating the lands of European and Russian farmers. The Russian crested bird is more decorative than meat. Crested she is called because she has a cute crest on her head.
Crested ducks
Features and differences of the breed
The crested bird is considered a light and agile bird. She is non-aggressive and, despite her small size, has well-developed muscles. The description of the ducks of this breed will be incomplete if you do not voice their main feature - the crest on the back of the head. It testifies to the purebredness of the breed. Also thanks to him, the crested has gained such popularity among fans of decorative birds. And no matter what color the feathers are on the tuft, the main condition is that they must be long and thin.
The feathery has a short but dense neck and a small beak. She has not too developed wings and limbs. Thick plumage complements the picture with a variety of colors. The color of the feathers depends primarily on the place of residence of the ducks, as well as on the manifestation of the blood of other breeds with which she was crossed. A notable moment can also be called the fact that the darker the bird, the darker its beak.
Unfortunately, even when the crested and the drake and the duck are involved in breeding, about a fifth of the chicks are still born without crests. Here the whole question is in the genes: the lower the concentration of the gene the crested ducks have, the fewer pedigree babies appear.
There is one more feature of the breed - light weight. An adult male rarely reaches 3 kg, and a female weighs no more than 2 kg. The egg does not exceed the weight of 80 g. Most often, no more than 55 pieces of such eggs per year can be produced by one young individual. The record for this breed was 120, but this is rather an exception.
Russian bird
There are several species of crested birds, including the Russian crested, Bashkir crested, duck, and the Ukrainian variety. Let's consider each of them in detail. The rarest and endangered species of ducks is the crested sheath. Little information has been collected about her. The only evidence of the existence of this breed is a few photos. It is believed that it nests on the slopes of the mountains. The crested sheath is an endangered species listed in the Red Book.
The Russian crested bird is popular with Russian farmers. Its main external characteristics include the following:
- average bird sizes;
- well-built body structure;
- dense and dense plumage, predominantly white;
- long wings pressed to the body;
- dark eyes on an elongated head;
One of the main advantages of the Russian crested duck is the ability to lay eggs all year round.
Ukrainian representative
The Ukrainian crested duck has a peculiar appearance and more than tasty meat, this is the reason for its breeding.Ukrainian ducks are very similar to common gray ducks. The signs of the breed are:
- variegated plumage, often they are black with brown, sometimes brown and gray;
- a light strip twisted around the neck;
- an oblong head with protruding cheeks;
- the beak is small, slightly raised;
- strong legs close to each other.
The Ukrainian crested duck is weighty, reaching a mass in the region of 3 kg.
Other varieties
Bashkir crested ducks may differ from other varieties in less weight, but they are more productive in comparison with the Ukrainian and Russian representatives of the breed. The characteristic of the Bashkirs is as follows: variegated feathers and various patterns of wings, a developed torso with a sternum pushed forward, unpretentiousness to conditions of detention - this is their main strong point. The only thing the Bashkir birds need is a reservoir, but they feed on what they themselves find. The appearance and ease of care makes Bashkir ducks extremely popular in the farming environment, but breeding them is problematic due to the difficulty of acquiring chicks of this species.
The crested duck duck is a wild migratory representative of the crested, but it is really possible to see it on water bodies, since it is very common. This is the smallest bird of its kind. It differs from the rest:
- black feathers on the body and a purple tint to the head;
- white stripes on the wings, which are visible when the bird is flying;
- yellow eyes;
- feathers on the sides, forming something like pockets;
- shorter crest in females, longer in males;
- a cigarette-like appearance with a noticeable rearward shift for deep diving.
No more than 20 eggs per year are the maximum capabilities of these females, but they are extremely careful about breeding offspring. The duck makes a nest from its feathers.
How to breed and care
Yes, the facts speak of the simplicity of caring for tufted birds, but for those who want to have Russian crested ducks, it makes sense to take into account some points. A mixture of cereals and dry grass should be the basis of the bird's diet. It is important to dry and ventilate the place of residence of the wards: this will be the key to their health. They tend to get sick in moisture and dirt. The most demanding is the Russian Crested.
Swimming in the water and looking for food on your own is the favorite pastime of these birds. It is clear that an open reservoir will provide them with both in the best way. But what if there is no such possibility? Then it is necessary to place containers with water on the territory of the birds' daytime stay. The purity of the species can be achieved only if both the female and the male with a tuft of the same breed, otherwise there is a risk of getting ordinary chicks, and not handsome men with tuft.
Final part
We looked at the details and made sure that the crested ducks have an extremely attractive appearance. Those who seek to obtain a large amount of meat from breeding ducks will not like these birds. But for aesthetes with a delicate taste and for people who want to delight and surprise guests and neighbors, the Russian Crested is an ideal option.
The uniqueness and sophistication, recognition and brightness of these birds will add a touch of chic to any farm or private household.