Silver Bantam duck
The Silver Bantam is a lively little duck that Reginald Appleyard bred in the 1940s. Despite its old name, it is genetically different from the large Silver Appleyard. It is an RBST priority breed.
The Silver Bantam is a pure-bred duck breed in the PCGB Bantam class. Its origin is given as Suffolk, UK. It appears on the RBST Watchlist as a priority breed, so keepers of pure stock help conserve it.
It is kept in bantam form. Recognised colours: Silver. Typical adult weights: drake about 900 g and duck about 800 g.
Expect roughly 60–160 eggs a year, with white shells. It is mainly kept for exhibition or as an ornamental bird.
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
- Bantam
- Origin
- Suffolk, UK
- Kept for
- Exhibition or ornamental
History
Appleyard made it by crossing Khaki Campbell ducks with Call drakes. When the Miniature Silver Appleyard was standardised in 1997, this breed lost the 'Appleyard' from its name. That avoided years of confusion caused by early descriptions that treated it as a variety of the Appleyard.
Appearance
Drakes weigh about 0.9 kg and ducks about 0.8 kg. The plumage is tight and glossy with a clearly marked hood. Overall it looks more like an Abacot Ranger than an Appleyard. Ducklings have yellow down with a smoky tint.
Recognised colours
Silver
Size and weight
- Forms
- Bantam
- Drake
- 900 g
- Duck
- 800 g
Eggs
- Eggs a year
- 60–160
- Egg colour
- White
- Notes
- Lays roughly 60–160 eggs a year, depending on the strain.
Temperament
- In short
- Active, lively, not overly noisy
- Keeping notes
- Active, but BWA says it is not especially noisy and suits a garden. It is mostly kept as a pet or for showing. Ducks sit well and make attentive mothers.
Hardiness
Not recorded yet.
Broodiness
Sits well; attentive mother
Flying
Not recorded yet.
Suitability
- Beginners
- Suits gardens and pet keepers
- Good to know
- Numbers are falling, and few breeders specialise in it.
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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