Breed: Merchtem
Species: Duck
Colour: white
Weight: drake 3.5kg duck 3kg
Country: Belgium
Description: It is a large rustic free-range duck with a horizontal habit, without dewlap or keel. The pure white plumage is well furnished, smooth and close to the body. Its long and wide beak is pinkish white and the legs of this duck are orange-yellow. The male reaches 3.5 kg and the duck, 3 kg.
The duck is a very good layer (more than 200 eggs). This duck is highly appreciated for its meat
History: The Merchtem duck originates from around Merchtem, a town 18 kilometers from Brussels which in the 19th century had a large market supplying the capital1. It was selected at the end of the 19th century from Aylesbury duck and local ducks, in particular Dendermonde duck (where ducklings from the region were fattened in Lebbeke). Today it is a rare breed bred in the Flemish part of Belgium and sporadically in the North of France, where it was used in the selection of the Bourbourg duck.
Uses: meat, eggs
Performance: Meat, Eggs