Why We Keep Getting Male Pekin Ducks — And Why It Breaks Our Hearts

We don’t set out to adopt male Pekin ducks. But somehow, it always happens. A neighbor or rescue contacts us: “We have some Pekins — want them?” We say yes, because we can’t look away. Then the heartbreak starts.

Here’s the thing: Pekin ducks are bred for meat. Their genetics push them to grow very quickly, put on bulk fast, and not necessarily maintain structural integrity long term. That often leads to joint problems, leg issues, and early mobility decline — especially in drakes (male Pekins).

So we end up with these handsome white birds that don’t have the physical capability to live long, comfortable lives. And because so many amateur breeders simply wash their hands of them if they become aggressive or they end up with too many, the burden often falls on sanctuaries like our. And then, in these cases, we are the ones forced to make the hardest decision: euthanasia.

The Biology Behind the Problem

Pekins are heavy birds, bred to reach butcher weight in a short period. Their size is part of their commercial appeal, but their bodies often can’t support that mass. According to a Pekin breed profile, due to their larger size, Pekin ducks are “more prone to leg and foot injuries such as arthritis, broken bones, bumblefoot, osteoarthritis, slipped joints and sprains” (Hobby Farms).

Online duck-keeper forums echo this. One user notes that drakes (male Pekins) “grow fast and heavy, sometimes putting excessive stress and strain on leg joints” (JustAnswer). Another shared about swollen joints and mobility loss in Pekins, likely tied to degeneration or infection in joints (Reddit).

Even though some resources about meat-duck breeding claim they’re “not known to have issues with leg or heart failure” (Bramblewood Hill), that often refers to shorter-term commercial lifespans. In a rescue setting, where the duck is expected to live beyond the producer’s intended timeline, those structural weaknesses become obvious.

Our Experience: Always the Boys

Over the last couple of years, we’ve taken in Pekins from neighbors, rescues, and people trying to unload “extra drakes.” Every time, we see the same arc:

• The male appears healthy at first, though usually heavier and stockier than his female counterparts.
• After months (or years), joint stiffness, limping, or swelling appear.
• Mobility becomes more painful. Sometimes it’s just arthritis; sometimes infection or trauma exacerbates it.
• The bird becomes uncomfortable, and quality of life drops drastically.
• We have to watch, looking for signs.

We face the emotional burden of being the ones to care for them — and sometimes, to make the choice of euthanasia when suffering becomes too great.

One user with a male Pekin duck shared that leg swelling was a “very common” issue and warned that once joint disease or infection takes hold, it may not be curable even with antibiotics (Reddit). Others talk of degenerative joint disease in older Pekins, with swelling and mobility decline (Handicapped Pets).

Currently, we have five Pekins, and every single one of them has swollen joints. We know it's just a matter of time that they are unable to live contented comfortable lives, but it's much harder to know exactly when the right time is.

Why the Responsibility Should Lie With the Breeder

When people breed animals for meat, showing, or profit, there’s a moral responsibility not only for the lives they market but for those they discard. Male birds are often discarded because they don’t lay eggs. Rather than give them a fighting chance, these animals are sometimes neglected or euthanized by the breeder. At very least, they should be used for their meat, as they were originally bred for.

For us, rescue isn’t glamorous — we take on the hard parts so the animals don’t suffer. But it hurts every time: knowing that the bird in front of us could have had a better shot if someone had shown accountability earlier.

What We Wish People Understood

• Drakes are just as deserving. They’re not second-class animals.
• Health issues are predictable when breeding for extremes. These birds are not “designed” to live long, happy lives outside of commercial cycles. And that is on all of us.
• Adoption support matters. Instead of dumping or dumping the cost, breeders could partner with rescues or commit to lifelong care.

If you’re considering adopting Pekins, especially males, know what you’re stepping into. But for those of us who take them in anyway, they often become beloved companions — until their bodies betray them.

We share these stories so people who breed or buy animals realize the full spectrum of responsibility. 

Ducks aren’t just commodities. They’re living creatures who deserve better.