The Khaki Campbell was developed by Mrs Adele Campbell in the late 1800's, by crossing an Indian Runner duck with a Rouen and then crossing the offspring with a Mallard. This produced a prolific egg layer which can produce up to and in excess of 300 eggs per year depending on management. Duck eggs are richer than chicken eggs as the yolk has a higher fat content and the white has a higher protein content. Ducks are waterfowl so need constant access to water except at night when sleeping. As Khaki Campbell’s are splashers rather than swimmers they only need a bowl of clean water where they can submerge their heads to clear their nostrils. They should never have access to food without water. Unlike chickens they don't go in at night on their own so they need rounding up and putting away. Due to space constraints we will only do one big hatch at the beginning of the year and these will be available from day old ducklings until they have gone. If we get sufficient request for them we will do smaller hatches through the year. Hatching eggs will be available most of the year.
Things to try with duck eggs.
Duck Egg Pasta
400g Durum wheat flour
4 duck eggs
pinch of salt
These can all be mixed together in a bowl or food processor. You may need to add a bit of water depending on the size and freshness of the eggs. Once the ingredients are mixed together you will need to Knead the dough to bring it together. The pasta is now ready to roll out or ut through a pata machine.
Marmalade Muffins
300g plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
a large pinch of salt
1 beaten duck egg
280ml of milk
1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice
75g melted butter
150g thick cut Seville orange marmalade
Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Now make a hole in the middle and add the wet ingredients excluding the marmalade. Mix together until all the ingredients have come together to make a smooth batter. Now add the marmalade but don't over mix this, it needs to leave streaks through the batter. Now spoon the mixture into your muffin tin filling each hole two thirds full. Preheat your oven at Gas mark 7 and then bake the muffins for about 20 minutes until they are firm to the touch and lightly browned. They can be place on a wire rack to cool down or eaten warm. They should be eaten within one day. You should be able to make 12 muffins from this recipe.
Lemon Pudding
75g melted butter
150g caster sugar
4 duck egg yolks only
4 duck egg whites only
50g plain flour
75ml milk
zest and juice of 4 lemons
Place the butter,sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl and whisk until light and creamy. Gradually whisk in the lemon juice and the egg yolks. Once this has come together sieve in the flour and fold into the batter and then stir in the milk .Whisk the egg whites together until they are forming soft peaks and then fold them into the mixture. Pour the mixture into a buttered dish and then place this in a roasting tray and fill halfway with boiling water. This can then be baked in a pre heated oven at Gas mark 4 for about 40 minutes or until the top is browned, and then serve straight away.
Victoria Sponge Cake
200g softened and unsalted butter
200g cater sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
4 duck eggs
200g self raising flour
raspberry or strawberry jam
250ml whipped cream
icing sugar
Place the butter, sugar and vanilla extract into a large bowl and beat into a creamy consistency.
Slowly beat in the eggs one by one and then fold in the flower. Divide the mix between 2 greased and floured cake tins of the same size and then bake in a preheated oven at Gas mark 5 for about 20 minutes until risen and browned. When they have partially cooled down remove from tins and let them cool down on a wire rack. Spread as much jam that will stay on without oozing off on to the top of one of the cakes and then spread the cream on to the top of this. Place the other cake on top of this and then sprinkle with icing sugar.
As duck eggs have a shell that is more porous than that of a chicken egg, they will not stay fresh as long. They should be consumed within 2 weeks of purchase.
