History of the Black East Indie Duck
This duck arrived in Europe in the 1860s after many ports of call in the new world; hence it has been known by many names, including the Buenos Aires duck and the Labrador duck. They have been bred selectively to have no white or brown feathers, and from an original 2kg (4-5 lb) weight have been bred down to bantam size.
Features of the Breed
This bantam duck weighs in at 680-910g (1.5-2 lbs). The Black East Indie has completely black plumage with a beetle-green sheen, and black eyes, bill, feet and legs; a blue variety also exists. Females tend to develop white feathers throughout their plumage as they age but will still breed true. Due to their small size they retain a good ability to fly, and are less tolerant of cold than larger breeds. East Indie ducks are not prolific layers, producing 25-75 eggs each year. When kept in pairs or trios, they make excellent mothers, laying eggs that vary from black at the start of the breeding season to lighter shades of gray or green later on.
Our Black East Indies
Our East Indies are Ike and Dina, hatched in 2010 and 2009 respectively.
Dina is an experienced mum and more comfortable with people than Ike. She has raised a small group of ducklings each year since 2011.
The ducks live in the vegetable garden where they enjoy splashing in a small pond and help with slug and bug control.
Dina is an experienced mum and more comfortable with people than Ike. She has raised a small group of ducklings each year since 2011.
The ducks live in the vegetable garden where they enjoy splashing in a small pond and help with slug and bug control.