Black Swedish Duck Details

In Malawi, when it comes to exotic ducks, most farmers are used to Pekin and Khaki Campbell. Oh, yes, these are cute ducks! But today, let’s talk a little about Black Swedish or, alternatively, Swedish Black. Both names are used. I sourced this information from purelypoultry.com, a website that tries to put into perspective different types of poultry breeds by specifying their traits.

 

Black Swedish ducks are good all-purpose ducks. They are good layers, grow to a substantial weight and are excellent foragers. If you are looking for a duck that will do well in your backyard or on your small farm, Black Swedish may be a good choice for you. 

 

Production: Like all Swedish ducks, these lay between 130 and 180 eggs per year. They reach table weight in about 16 weeks.

 

Temperament: Generally, Black Swedish are calm. They tend to be a little shy, and they love to roam and forage.

 

History: Black Swedish ducks are usually not exhibited. They are used to produce Blue Swedish ducks which are prized for their unusual color. While they are not used for exhibition, Black Swedish make great farm ducks. They like to forage, they will hatch their own eggs if allowed to, and they are plentiful layers. They also have a striking visual appeal. I’ll add that it is very rare for Black Swedish to go broody. Those I have kept for the last five years have never sat on their eggs. Probably because we pick the eggs from the nest every morning. I have seen attempts to go broody in one or two though.

 

When Black Swedish are mated with Splashed (sometimes called Silver) Swedish, the result is Blue Swedish ducklings, so professional breeders will keep a flock of each color. When two Black Swedish breed, they breed true to color and the ducklings are also black. These ducks can be used as pets, raised for meat, or eggs. If your goal is to exhibit your ducks, you should choose Blue Swedish. Well, in Malawi, we really don’t exhibit farm birds just for a mere show so let’s stick to core focus.

 

Colors: Black with a white bib on the chest.

 

Livestock Conservancy Status: Watch, meaning there are fewer than 10 primary breeding flocks worldwide. If you have one, you better preserve it. I won’t tell my secret on this. I’ve managed to grow a pure breed along the two common breeds I stated at the beginning.

 

Body Type: Black Swedish are medium-sized ducks, similar in shape to Rouens or Khaki Campbells. Their feet are neither particularly far forward, nor excessively back on their bodies, so they are good swimmers, but also walk on land comfortably.

 

Standard Weights: Old Male 8 lbs (3.6 kg) Old Female 7 lbs (3.1 kg), Young Male 6.5 lbs, Young Female 5 lbs. These should be estimates, I bet. My chief male weighed 5.2 kg the last time I put it on scale! Classification: American Poultry Association

 

Class: Black Swedish are not standardized but Blue Swedish are a medium duck.

 

(Source: https://www.purelypoultry.com); edited with additional information by George Kalungwe, Upile Farm, upilefarm.blogspot.com ; fb.me/upilepoultryandlivestock) Like our pages for direct business and information on poultry and livestock

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