The Khaki
Campbell was developed in England during the early 1900's by Adele Campbell. It
was admitted to the American Standard in 1941. Though originally a
cross ofIndian Runner, Mallard, and Rouen, Campbells exceed all of these and most chicken breeds in
egg production, with some strains averaging 300 eggs per year. They do not
require special care or artificial lighting to produce a large number of eggs,
which are white and weight about 2.5 ounces (not much larger than a Leghorn
egg). Thought not usually raised for meat, Khakis make high quality, lean
roasters of 3-4 pounds; they average 4-5 pounds as adults. Campbells are
extremely hardy, are excellent foragers, and are at home on land as well as in
water. They eat large quantities of slugs, snails, insects, algae, and
mosquitos from ponds, but do not require swimming water to stay healthy. The
ducks are mainly khaki colored and the drakes have greenish-bronze heads with
brown-bronze tails, backs, and necks. They have green bills.
Status:
Minor. Though still not common, the Khaki Campbell is thought to be growing in
popularity as an egg-layer and backyard duck. Exhibition Khakis do not have the
same characteristics as production types.
Reference:
The American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
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