Description
White Pekin Duck
Breed Overview and Origin
The White Pekin Duck is one of the most popular domestic duck breeds in the United States. If you want a fast-growing, friendly, entertaining duck that works well for meat, eggs, exhibition, or backyard enjoyment, the White Pekin is a classic choice.
The Pekin duck originated in China and came to the United States in the early 1870s. The American Pekin was included in the first American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1874, which makes it one of the long-established standard duck breeds in America.
Cackle Hatchery® offers White Pekin Ducklings and notes that the breed has a fast growth rate, making it an excellent choice for meat. Cackle also describes White Pekin ducklings as some of the cutest and most popular ducks for pets.
Appearance and Characteristics
White Pekin Ducks have creamy white plumage, orange legs and feet, and a bright yellow to orange bill. Their large, solid body gives them the classic “big white duck” look many people picture when they hear the word duck.
This breed grows quickly and carries a broad body, which makes it useful for meat production. However, White Pekins are not just meat birds. They are also entertaining, active, and friendly enough to make popular backyard ducks.
Cackle’s Duck Breeds List Comparison Chart lists White Pekin Ducks at 9–10 pounds, with egg laying and meat as the purpose/type, eggcellent egg production, docile and calm temperament, and APA recognition.
Cackle’s Duck Breeds List Comparison Chart is a helpful internal link for customers comparing Pekins with other duck breeds before ordering.
White Pekin Duck vs Jumbo Pekin Duck
White Pekin Ducks and Jumbo Pekin Ducks are closely related, but they fit slightly different goals.
Choose White Pekin Ducks if you want a popular all-around duck for meat, eggs, pets, and backyard enjoyment. Choose Jumbo Pekin Ducks if you want a larger meat-focused Pekin strain. Cackle’s duck comparison chart lists Jumbo Pekins at 9–13.5 pounds, while White Pekins are listed at 9–10 pounds.
Both are calm, white, heavy-bodied ducks. However, the standard White Pekin is a great all-purpose choice for customers who want a balance of size, personality, and production.
Meat Production and Growth
White Pekin Ducks have a fast growth rate, which makes them one of the best duck breeds for meat production. Their white feathers also make them easier to process cleanly because white pin feathers are less visible than dark ones.
The American Pekin became popular in the United States partly because of its meat qualities. Historical breed sources note that the white-feathered Pekin replaced darker meat ducks in many markets because remaining down or pin feathers were less noticeable on the carcass.
For customers raising ducks for the table, Pekins offer a practical mix of fast growth, size, and availability. Good feed, clean water, dry bedding, and proper space will help them reach their best condition.
Egg Production
White Pekin Ducks can lay a good number of eggs, especially for a heavy duck breed. Cackle’s comparison chart describes White Pekin egg production as eggcellent and lists the breed as useful for both egg laying and meat.
Duck eggs are larger and richer than chicken eggs. Cackle’s blog How Many Eggs Does a Duck Lay? explains that duck eggs average about 2.6 ounces, or around 1½ times the size of a large chicken egg, though size varies by breed, strain, and individual duck.
For customers who want to keep ducks laying well, Cackle’s Ducks for Eggs: How to Keep Your Ducks Laying Well is a strong internal support link. That article explains that duck egg production depends on breed, strain, age, light, feed, and management.
Temperament and Suitability
White Pekin Ducks are calm, docile, active, and entertaining. They are popular with families, backyard keepers, small farms, and customers who want ducks that are useful and fun to watch.
Cackle’s Heritage Breed Spotlight: White Pekin Duck describes White Pekins as calm, docile, too heavy to fly, adaptable to many environments, easy to train, friendly pets, and terrific show birds.
Because they grow large, they need enough space, clean bedding, and easy access to water. They do not need a pond, but they do need drinking water deep enough to clean their nostrils and bills.
Pets, Pop Culture, and Backyard Enjoyment
White Pekin ducklings are among the most recognizable baby ducks. They are bright yellow as ducklings, grow into white adults, and are often the duck people picture from movies, commercials, and television.
Cackle notes that the White Pekin is the type of duck used in the AFLAC commercials and that Pekin ducklings have also appeared in popular television and children’s programming.
Their friendly personality and entertaining behavior make them a fun backyard choice. However, customers should remember that cute ducklings grow into large ducks that need proper outdoor housing, water management, and predator protection.
Keeping Ducks With Chickens
Some customers want to keep ducks and chickens together. This can work in some setups, but ducks have different water, bedding, and housing needs.
Ducks are messier with water than chickens, and wet bedding can create problems in a shared coop. Cackle’s Keeping Ducks Together with Chickens is the best internal resource to help customers decide whether a mixed flock makes sense.
For broader reasons to raise ducks, Cackle’s 12 Benefits of Keeping Ducks is also a helpful internal link for customers comparing ducks with chickens.
Fall Duck Shipping
For customers looking for ducks outside the main spring season, Cackle notes that fall duck shipping may be available for White Pekins. Customers should check the White Pekin Duck product page and the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping dates.
Cackle Hatchery® cannot ship ducks to Hawaii. Keep this shipping restriction clear on the product page so customers can plan before ordering.
Is the White Pekin Duck Right for Your Flock?
Choose White Pekin Ducks if you want:
A fast-growing duck
A classic white duck breed
A calm and docile temperament
A popular pet duck
A good meat duck
A useful egg-laying duck
A heavy duck that does not fly well
A duck for small farms or backyard flocks
A breed recognized by the APA in 1874
A fall duck shipping option when available
Overall, White Pekins are a great choice if you want a practical, friendly, large duck with strong all-around value. They are especially good for customers who want meat, eggs, entertainment, and a classic duck appearance.
If customers are still comparing duck breeds, direct them to Cackle’s Duck Breeds List Comparison Chart or the main Ducks for Sale category.
Breed History and Preservation
The White Pekin has a long history that begins in China. In the 1800s, Pekin-type ducks came to the United States and quickly became one of the country’s most important meat duck breeds.
The breed entered the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1874. Over time, American breeders developed Pekins into the large, fast-growing white ducks that became common in commercial and backyard settings.
Cackle’s Heritage Breed Spotlight: White Pekin Duck is a strong internal link for customers who want a deeper story about the breed’s history, usefulness, and personality.
Recognition and Availability
The White Pekin Duck entered the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. Cackle sells White Pekin Ducklings and also has a spring offering page for White Pekin Ducks, depending on season and hatchery partner availability.
Before planning an order, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping dates.
Cackle Hatchery® cannot ship ducks to Hawaii.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like White Pekin Ducks, you may also want to compare Jumbo Pekin Ducks, Rouen Ducks, White Layer Ducks, Golden 300 Hybrid Layer Ducks, Khaki Campbell Ducks, and other ducks in Cackle’s duck category.
Helpful Cackle articles include Heritage Breed Spotlight: White Pekin Duck, How Many Eggs Does a Duck Lay?, 12 Benefits of Keeping Ducks, Ducks for Eggs: How to Keep Your Ducks Laying Well, and Keeping Ducks Together with Chickens.
For comparison shopping, use Duck Breeds List Comparison Chart, Ducks for Sale, and Availability Chart.
FAQ: White Pekin Duck
What is a White Pekin Duck?
A White Pekin Duck is a large white domestic duck known for fast growth, calm temperament, meat production, egg laying, and backyard popularity.
Where did White Pekin Ducks originate?
White Pekin Ducks originated from Chinese duck stock and came to the United States in the early 1870s. American breeders later developed the American Pekin strain.
When did the APA recognize White Pekin Ducks?
The American Poultry Association included the Pekin in the first Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Are White Pekin Ducks good for meat?
Yes. White Pekins grow fast, carry a broad body, and make an excellent meat duck.
Are White Pekin Ducks good egg layers?
Yes. Cackle’s duck comparison chart lists White Pekin egg production as eggcellent.
What color eggs do White Pekin Ducks lay?
White Pekin Ducks usually lay white or tinted eggs.
How big do White Pekin Ducks get?
Cackle’s duck comparison chart lists White Pekin Ducks at 9–10 pounds.
Are White Pekin Ducks friendly?
Yes. White Pekins are generally calm, docile, friendly, and easy to enjoy in backyard flocks.
Can White Pekin Ducks fly?
No, not well. Their heavy body makes them too heavy to fly like lighter duck breeds. Cackle’s heritage spotlight describes them as too heavy to fly.
Are White Pekin Ducks good pets?
Yes. They are popular pet ducks because they are calm, entertaining, active, and recognizable.
Do White Pekin Ducks need a pond?
No. They do not need a pond, but they do need clean drinking water deep enough to dip and clean their bills and nostrils.
Can White Pekin Ducks live with chickens?
Sometimes, but ducks and chickens have different water and bedding needs. Cackle’s Keeping Ducks Together with Chickens can help customers plan a mixed flock.
What is the difference between White Pekin and Jumbo Pekin Ducks?
White Pekins are a popular all-purpose duck listed by Cackle at 9–10 pounds. Jumbo Pekins are larger, listed at 9–13.5 pounds, and are more meat-focused.
Are White Pekin Ducks the same as the AFLAC duck?
Cackle notes that the White Pekin is the type of duck used in the AFLAC commercials.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer White Pekin Ducks in the fall?
Cackle notes that customers looking for fall duck shipping should check the White Pekin Duck product page for current seasonal options.
Can Cackle Hatchery® ship White Pekin Ducks to Hawaii?
No. Cackle Hatchery® cannot ship ducks to Hawaii.
Where can I check White Pekin Duck availability?
Check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
einman96 –
I was really skeptical after doing research on which hatchery to buy my ducklings from, I saw a lot of mixed reviews and most were negative but still took a shot. I ordered 3 ducklings and I got three healthy ducklings. I wasn’t sure if they would make it at first but they’re doing great. I ordered 3 Pekins and I believe one isn’t a true Pekin and may be a silver appleyard or closely related because it has a black spot on his head, they came in a box with a heating pad that was cold when arrived and no food or water so I put them straight in the brooder and they ate and drank right away. They get along great with my Muscovy duckling which they picked on at first but warmed up to in an hour or so. They are so FUN AND MESSY! Will look into cackle hatchery again in the future
stacey box –
I ordered 12 and got 16 — a nice bonus! All arrived happy, vigorous and healthy. They seem to have doubled in size overnight. Great purchase!
Bailey Calvert –
We ordered thirteen females and two males and one australorp rooster chick, they arrived in only two days, they are all healthy, lively, playful and peppy. We wanted to add ducks to out flock of sixteen austrlorp hens.
100% satisfied customer, cackle hatchery will forever be our go-to bird supplier!
lu321 –
I will not be buying from here again.
I ordered my ducks from here for the first time and I will not be ordering again. I ordered 3 pekin ducklings and was sent 4 in total. shipping took 3 days and when i opened the box one duckling did not make it but the other 3 seemed okay. i got home and put them straight into the brooder and noticed something was not right with one of the ducklings. she couldnt walk or balance and just kept falling over and sliding on the ground instead of walking. i called immediately and was told that if it did not survive they would be sure to send me another duckling and that i shouldnt worry but that you just have to wait and see what happens because they either do good or die. she ended up dying in less then a half hour and nobody could tell me what was wrong with her besides google saying it seemed like a parasite. I called back and was told they would not send me another duck even if i were to pay extra. I paid $70 to get 3 ducklings i now have two and was refunded $7. not everyone has a bad experience, but this was mine and it was heart breaking. i am now running around trying to find ducklings because these girls need more friends. the two i have still are doing good and seem to be in good health
george –
oh no
OMG I thought these duck were pets. until I saw a comment that said DeLiSioUsE!
Duck duck goose –
They are great
When we got the ducks in the mail it was a wonderful experience I hope you also get ducks from Cackle Hatchery
EJINPA –
WHOA DUCKS!
Service and order were perfect! First time with ducks…a real learning experience. Yes, they are cute, and funny…and messy…REALLY MESSY. Be prepared to properly care for these buggers, translates to LOTS of room and several bedding changes daily. This is NOT your box in the living room endeavor! This is what I learned about Pekin ducks. They poop…constantly. They double in size almost weekly. They will play and splash any available water until it is gone. I would recommend getting your ducks in spring as the weather warms so you can house them outside – ish until the weather warms. They are certainly entertaining and have added a fun element to our homestead. They will require a constant water source where they can preferably swim and submerge. They will muck low wet spots in your lawn. They are easier prey for foxes than chickens. They will roost with your chickens but will make the coop 10x dirtier 10x faster! We love them for sure, but please don’t get them on a whim. Be prepared to be good duck parents for their sake.
Aaron –
11 ducks
Ordered 11, got 11. 1 was not healthy, it did not survive. I now have 10 ducks, which is ok because I’m not going to order just 1 duck to make up for the loss. otherwise very healthy ducks!
Nicholas M –
Thanks
I ordered 20 Pekin ducks, received 20, finished 20! Health was good!
Mitch –
All good!
Ordered 30 and received 31 lively with the sexes 100% correct!
They are healthy & tasty. I have 19 left as of now. Perfectly satisfied !!
Meat Pen Birds –
Review by Cathy
Birds arrived in great condition they were very hardy – grew very fast – dressed out very nicely the largest was almost 7 lbs- meat was very good will order again this spring
Sohl Hill –
Healthy Overall
We ordered 5 Pekins and received 5, but one was not “right.” Within the same order, we also ordered 10 other ducklings (5 Rouen, 5 Cayuga) and got an extra Cayuga. An order of 15 ducks (including the 5 Pekin) resulted in 16 ducks. That off Pekin didn’t survive, so we ended up with the original number of 15 at the end of the day. The rest were very healthy, very mild-mannered and beautiful. There were no health issues at all with any of the ducklings we received with the exception of that one duckling who didn’t make it. We will be ordering from you again!
Jennifer –
Highly Recommended
I purchased 5 pekin ducks just to try something different. They were delivered intact and 3 of the 5 survived to adulthood. In a couple weeks they will be harvested and I look forward to see if there is a noticeable difference between them and what I buy at the store.
Jojo –
Great girls and lots of fun to watch. 100 % satisfaction.
Great breed. All five girls are laying eggs daily. We love watching them play in their pond. We will be enlarging their pond next Spring. We live in the mountains, so they have had different set up for their outside yard area. Wind brakes are the most important changes. We didn’t mix the hens we got. One thing we are surprised about is their size. They are double the size of most hens. Make sure you have the space to keep them happy and healthy. I would buy them again for sure.
Happy –
fast growing, fatty and delicious
We ordered nine of these ducks and Cackle sent us ten in our shipment of 23 birds, likely to cover just in case there was a mortality. All survived and we processed five after 2.5 months as we felt we were a little overrun. Fast growing birds, fatty and delicious. We kept four females and one male to overwinter.
Ducks –
The best
I love my ducks. They are fun to watch and easy care for. Their eggs are delicious.
D –
White Peking Ducks Female and Male
I received these ducks in the Spring These ducks are adorable and very very healthy. They are huge and so much fun. I just love them and their side kicks Anacona’s and African Geese. They are all so funny and so friendly. All healthy and no loses.
Love our Ladies –
Love our Ladies
We ordered 3 pekin ducks and received 4, a welcomed surprise. They are happy and healthy and VERY loud. They arrived quick and safe.
Kristin –
Great layers!
These were our first foray into ducks. . . beautiful, graceful, funny, playful. . . and wonderful egg layers. We’re enjoying them!
Crystal –
Good breeding stock… nice sized birds.
Nice sized and looking animals
George13815 –
Great meat birds
Great meat birds, we slaughtered ours at 20 weeks old. Not too noisy and easy to keep.
Alaska –
Great Layers
Loud, but great layers and healthy birds to add to your flock…will be ordering more.
Stacey –
Beautiful female ducklings, but very loud adults
The 4 female ducklings arrived safely and have grown to be beautiful, health adult ducks. However, I would not purchase females again because the are exceedingly loud. The males are much quieter.
Paytons place –
Peking ducks
We purchased several of these ducklings this spring. I have to say they are the most heart birds we have. We have several other breeds of ducks and numerous chickens. The only mortality we have had with these was human error. They grew up very quickly and started laying eggs the same time our chickens did. My wife and kids love them. Glad we made this purchase
Sarah –
Love my Girls!
Love my girls! I got 6 pekins sexed last April and they’re beautiful! They produce 3-5 eggs a day and are extremely friendly. I would highly recommend them for eggs or pets. Karen, Brienne, Nancy, Susan, Paulette and CJ agree 🙂
Marie –
Great ducks
First off I ordered around forty or so birds from cackle hatchery this year and all of them made it in great condition not one dead bird. The white Peking ducks are full grown and laying already. They are big and friendly, very fun to watch. Almost all my chickens and ducks are from cackle hatchery and they are healthy and flourishing.
Shari –
Love our ducks!
We received 5 ducklings earlier this year; they were in great shape and so adorable! It is now November and we have been so impressed by how many eggs these girls have been laying; we have 8 Pekin ducks total and we have usually been getting around 6 eggs a day! Some days as many as 8 a day! We have them on an egg layer feed that is good for ducks (make sure whatever feed they are on has a good amount of niacin; ducks really need this but chickens don’t, so chicken feed usually doesn’t have enough unless it specifically is formulated for ducks too), and feed them canned no-salt vegetables every night, along with mealworms, and the ladies are paying us back with great eggs! Plus they have such cute personalities-highly recommend them!
Ella –
Pekin Ducks
We’ve had these ducks since May. They’re alive and well. Very skittish around us. Which is a surprise from what I read on the web. They are laying eggs. Have been for a few weeks now. Not an exciting pet, but my 2 1/2 year old Granddaughter loves them!
Raleigh’s Farm –
Healthy & Hearty Ducks!
Ordered 15 and received bonus 2! They all arrived alive and very peppy. Just started laying beautiful extra-large eggs. I would recommend Cackle’s ducks to anyone looking to add some to their backyard flock.
Randy –
4 Female Pekin Ducks
Ordered 4 female Pekin ducks in March, received 5 pekin ducks but unfortunately 1 did not survive the USPS trip. The 4 that did make it are doing great and are laying eggs every day. Thank you.
Toolshed905 –
First time with ducks
We ordered peking ducks for the 1st time this year. What a treat! They have kept us in stitches all year, really fun to watch. June to November they are now full size and ready for butchering. I expect they will dress out around 8 pounds each. We will definitely be ordering again.
Paula –
Lol…fun
All healthy and adorable… quack quack
Bertha –
Best hatchery
Babies arrive nice and snug in their box… good instructions for newbies. While I have some beauties my characters are the Peking especially my baby Bertha who leads the pack at feeding time
Buchanan –
Amazing!
Thank you so much Cackle Hatchery! Tractor Supply didn’t have ducks in time, and we are new to ducks.We have never had them. So after reading great reviews on Cackle hatchery, we decided to go with Cackle. We ordered 3 Pekin Ducks and 3 Rouen Ducks on Wednesday. They arrived today (Friday 13th) and all are in perfect condition! I am very happy with our order and we will for sure be buying from here again! Thanks again for making this a great experience!
-Buchanan (Posted 3/13/18) Yarmouth, ME
Christy –
Adorable ducklings!
I am SO impressed with Cackle Hatchery! We have ordered from other hatcheries in the past and will never go back. All of our birds arrived in fantastic condition, lovingly packaged with a grass mat to keep them comfortable on their long journey. Our Pekins are thriving and will grow up to be our beloved backyard pets. Thank you, Cackle!
bruce –
nicely done
we couldn’t our get ducks from tractor supply this year so this was my first mail order. we live in northern Maine close to 2000 miles away and the ducklings arrived in great shape. i’m very impressed with you’re packaging and the service of the USPS thank you bruce Blaine,Me.
Mary New York July 2011 –
Cackle Hatchery
We were very pleased with our chicks we received.
Kory Illinois April 2011 –
Got them!
Got them! Great quality chicks and very happy with my order! Would Recommend you guys to anyone. Thanks