Black And White Magpie Duck – Everything You Need To Know

The Black and White Magpie is a British Duck Breed that was named in Yorkshire right after World War 1. Most probably, the breed was described in 1921. With striking black and white plumage, they have ornamental value as a pet all over the world. Either as a pet or poultry, Magpie ducks are first class with a docile nature.

Among plenty of duck breeds, this one is surely a distinctive one. And if you find it nearby, it deserves to be in your yard.

Whether it’s out of curiosity or as an enthusiast, you may expect more knowledge about this type of duck. And this article is made to share everything that you need to know about this duck breed.

Black And White Magpie Duck Breed – An Overview Table

If you do not know that much about the magpie duck, here is an overview for you. 

A Comprehensive Discussion About Magpie Duck Breed

Domesticated moderate lightweight Magpie duck, a rare breed developed in the early 20th century. This purposeful duck is not only popular for its appearance but also for becoming popular in exhibitions and as a poultry bird.

It’s just a hint about the waterfowl. Now, you’ll have a clearer understanding of this duck in detail.

History Of Magpie Duck Breed

Considered as the breed from the First World War time, Magpie ducks were developed by M.C. Gower-Williams (Wales) and Oliver Drake (Yorkshire). With plenty of confusion, I found they are a hybrid breed originating from the crossing of Mallard and White Pekin. 

However, a more believable fact is that the Indian Runner, with the influence of Huttegem of Belgium. It’s what helped the breed to be born.

In 1920, they were first documented by the British Poultry Association. However, according to Livestock Conservancy, Isaac Hunter of Michigan took the Magpie ducks to the US in 1963. But unfortunately, until 1977, they were neglected by the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection.

Characteristics and Appearance

Magpie birds are medium-sized lightweight bird and come within 4 to 5 pounds. As you may know, their feathers are waterproof due to Preen Gland, which we call Oil Gland or Uropygial. However, you’ll see the duck’s body carry a 35-degree angle.

You’ll see the combination of black and white on top of their head. And black scapulars along with tail and back make this duck ornamental and attractive. Surprisingly, it’ll remind you of a heart shape!

After that, look at their neck and bill. They are long and curved. You’ll find the bill yellow at a young age, but it turns grey-green. But the drake will have a green-spotted yellow bill. And commonly, the leg or feet are orange as always or sometimes the dark mottling.

Check out this video to see the breed and their activities.

Diet For The Ducks

Magpie ducks are known as natural foragers who usually take seeds, slugs, snails, and insects the most. If in water, they catch small fish, aquatic plants, or small invertebrates to cover their hunger. So, not any exceptional thing to feed. But being a pet, they surely need some tasty treats to be nourished.

As a suggestion, feed them game bird feed or poultry food with high protein. If it’s the ducklings or baby ducks, starter crumbles or layer feed is what they need the most. Aside from all these things, they also consume anything they find nearby. As you know, they’re omnivores!

Popularity

Magpie ducks are seen within the US and in Wales. They are a man-made breed, so saying it is rare is nothing wrong. But they can be kept as pets, for meat and egg production, and especially as ornamental ducks.

Black and White Magpie Ducks as Pets – 8 Considerable Facts

As I said, magpie ducks are good pets. As they are docile, keeping them in the backyard won’t be a bad idea if you find the breed. But you need to consider some facts before keeping them as your pet bird.

1. Take Legal Permission First

Not all the ducks are legal in the location. So, ensure you pass the law or restrictions.

2. Proper diet

Magpie ducks depend on foraging foods. Keeping them as a pet must demand waterfowl pellets, veggies, fruits as treats, grains, and enough water in the yard.

Check the video; how happy they become when they have enough water

3. Understanding Temperament

A calm and social nature duck breed, so be gentle with them all the time.

4. Small Size

Magpie ducks are small or medium in size and sensitive enough. So, ensure the proper farm setup and gently grab them.

5. Ducks Compatibility

As you know, magpie ducks are social and remain in groups, ensuring they have mates.

6. When For Poultry Purpose

These ducks are good pets as well as a perfect duck breed that offers a satisfactory amount of eggs and meats. To get benefited, give them a proper diet with high protein intake.

7. Proper Space and Facilities

Although they are small, or you can call them medium-sized ducks, ensure they have enough space to forage. As I said, they are fond of foraging. You can make a duck pond or offer a kiddie pool to let them play and enjoy the fullest. 

8. Predator Protection

Ducks are mostly stressed and threatened by predators. So, ensure they’re quite safe from predator attacks. What you can do is offer things like:

• Secure shelter
• Monitor the ducks
• Using predator deterrents like alarms, motion-activated lights, or guard pets like dogs is encouraged.
• Offer food that won’t attract predators.
• Ensure there are no gaps and holes for predator entry
• Keep the yard neat and clean by trimming vegetation.
• Using fences is also a good idea.

Why Do We Keep Magpie Ducks? Facts In Detail!

Although a lot of questions are found, at least black and white magpies are of Indian Runner ancestry, and it’s confirmed. Also, similar to Stanbridge white waterfowl, we keep the duck for various purposes from children, novices, and poultry.

Not For Eggs

You can raise magpie ducks for commercial purposes as a utility bird that provides meat and eggs, as I stated earlier. This breed lays a light green, blue, or white color egg of around 220 to 280 eggs. 

But most probably, they lay white eggs due to overcrossing. Each egg weighs 65 grams or approximately 2.3 ounces. However, according to reports, the strain called “Paramount,” which was bred by Oliver Drake in the early 1900s, laid around 185 eggs each year.

Magpies are Excellent Meat Providers

Magpie ducks as a meat provider is another common factor behind raising them on the farm. They are lovable due to their gourmet quality meat, and they have clean carcasses.

Besides, they can give enough meat for 2 to 3 persons even with the medium size. And, of course, the meats are tasty and flavorful.

Magpies Make Adorable Pet

You have already heard they are good pets with average noisy quacking habits. So, from baby to adult, they can cooperate well as a pet bird in the house, urban state, as well as rural homesteads.

To keep them as a pet, I already said what you have to do. Give them proper care, space, and attention to make them playful. And from newbies to expert flock keepers, they are welcome to get some in their yards.

Ornamental

With the distinctive black and white plumage color, they can be taken to exhibition. You can also value them for aesthetic purposes like decorating in ponds or water.

Related Articles:

• Silver Appleyard: A Dual-Purpose Duck!
• The Egg-laying Machine: Khaki Campbell Duck

9 Important Facts About Black And White Magpie Ducks

Magpie ducks are rare, but they have high demand all over the world. Aside from all these things, they have some surprising facts.

1. You cannot 100% ensure how the adult ducks’ plumage color will be based on the duckling’s color.
2. Going with age, the matured ducks become whiter, mostly seen in females.
3. Almost all the magpie momma ducks are good trainers and caretakers.
4. As they are docile and calm in nature, you can keep them with other easy-going nature breeds like chickens and guineas.
5. For breeding, one drake magpie duck and 5 mature hens are ideal.
6. Getting an active and strong-leg breeder bird can be perfect for successful baby duck hatching.
7. They take 18-19 days to hatch eggs on average. 
8. Magpie ducks lay 6 eggs just before she realize the clutch is done, and they decide to sit the eggs.
9. As they become heavy domestic duck breeds, they cannot fly sustainably.

Recommended Article: 5 Best Duck Breeds for Eggs

FAQs

Your curious mind may ask more about Black and white magpie ducks. So, here are some frequently asked questions.

Final Section

Although known as a rare duck breed, black and white magpie duck can be kept for various purposes. Whether it’s as a pet, for poultry, or to exhibit, such magpie ducks are the perfect example you can keep. It’s for the capability of producing eggs and meats along with their appearance.

Unfortunately, it’s not a popular breed anymore as it’s a hand-made breed, not a natural one. If breeders breed this black and white duck, surely they’ll get huge popularity in poultry farms.

Sources & References:

• https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/magpie-duck/
• https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/understanding-waterfowl-waterfowl-feathers