Abacot Ranger duck
The Abacot Ranger is a hooded light duck bred for eggs. It is known in Germany as the Streicher. It is on the RBST watchlist.
The Abacot Ranger is a pure-bred duck breed in the PCGB Light class. Its origin is given as Colchester, Essex. It appears on the RBST Watchlist as a priority breed, so keepers of pure stock help conserve it.
It is kept in light form. Recognised colours: Abacot Ranger (silver/harlequin pattern).
Expect roughly 180–200 eggs a year, with white shells.
Compiled from poultryclub.org, rbst.org.uk, domestic-waterfowl.co.uk, poultrykeeper.com, waterfowl.org.uk, en.wikipedia.org. See sources
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Identity
- Species
- Duck
- Type
- Pure breed
- PCGB class
- Light
- Origin
- Colchester, Essex
History
Oscar Gray of the Abacot Duck Ranch, Colchester, created it between 1917 and 1922. He mated white sports from his Khaki Campbells to white Indian Runner drakes. As the 'Hooded Ranger', it topped its section at the 1922–23 Wye College laying trials. It later died out in Britain but survived in Germany. German birds were reimported in the 1970s and 80s, and the PCGB and BWA standardised it in 1987.
Appearance
Ducks have a fawn-buff hood over a creamy body streaked with colour. Drakes show silver wild-colour markings. Ducklings have deep-fawn hoods.
Recognised colours
Abacot Ranger (silver/harlequin pattern)
Size and weight
- Forms
- Light
Eggs
- Eggs a year
- 180–200
- Egg colour
- White
- Notes
- Poultrykeeper utility 180–200 white eggs; BWA up to 200. Averaged about 234 in the 1922 Wye trials (historical ceiling).
Temperament
- Keeping notes
- An active forager, popular for exhibition and laying.
Hardiness
Not recorded yet.
Broodiness
Not recorded yet.
Flying
Not recorded yet.
Suitability
- Good to know
- Poultrykeeper says some British lines were spoiled in the 1960s by crossing with Whaylesbury hybrids.
Conservation status (RBST)
A priority breed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist.
Breed club
Sources
This page is compiled from:
Review
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