Speculum Ducks

a breed group of ducks raised for meat and eggs. They were bred in the Kuchino Breeding Plant in Moscow Oblast by crossing Peking, Hockey-Campbell, and local breeds. They have a strong constitution, an elongated and somewhat raised body, and a protuberant breast. The plumage is light gray and shiny; the drakes have a reddish brown breast and black head with a green sheen. A 60-day-old juvenile weighs approximately 2 kg; an adult drake weighs 3.5 kg (maximum, 4 kg), and an adult duck weighs 3–3.5 kg. The average egg yield is 150 eggs (maximum, 234). An egg weighs 80 g. The hatching rate of the eggs is 74–75 percent. Speculum ducks are raised mainly in Orlov, Lipetsk, and Belgorod oblasts.