Abacot Ranger

Key Characteristics

Like other light ducks, this breed is lively and active and a good forager.

• The breed is similar in shape to Khaki Campbells, although larger.
• They are known as ‘Hooded Rangers’ in USA as both the males and females have distinct solid coloured heads.
• In the female, the head is fawn and the bill a dark slate grey.
• In the male, the head is black with a green lustre with a white ring around the neck and an olive green bill.
• The legs and webs are dark, ideally steely grey.
• The ducklings have distinctive dark fringes around the tail and on the head and the bill has a darker tip. The male ducklings at this stage have more dark shading on the head.

History

• The Abacot Ranger was one of many breeds developed from (or crossed with) Indian Runners. 
• Mr Oscar Gray of Abacot Duck Ranch, near Colchester developed the breed, originally called the 'Hooded Ranger' using Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners. 
• Imported into Germany via Denmark in 1926, it was ‘stabilized’ as a colour form by H. Lieker, whence it acquired the name ‘Liekers Streifere’ (Lieker’s Ranger or Scout). 
• In 1934 it was eventually standardized under the name of Streicher-Ente (Ranger Duck). 
• Later standardized by the Poultry Club and the BWA in 1987, the modern Abacot Ranger owes both its survival and written standard to the work done in Germany.

Uses