The Alabio duck is an unusual dual-purpose breed, highly popular in Indonesia, but unheard of elsewhere. A veterinarian named Saleh Puspo named the breed. They originate from Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Utara, Kalimantan Selatan, Indonesia. Locally, in Indonesia, they are called the Itik Alabio. They were developed as a cross between the local Indonesian duck and the Pekin duck.
In Indonesia, Alabio ducks are quite popular. In 2006, 3,400,000 Alabio ducks were found in South Kalimantan. Elsewhere, virtually no one has them.
They weigh 3.3 to 4.4 lb (1.5-2 kg), with drakes weighing slightly more than ducks.
Alabio ducks are very good egg layers, laying 200-250 eggs a year (or even more), and they’re also frequently used for meat.
They’re good broodies, they can fly well, and they’re very heat-tolerant, as can be expected, coming from an area with a warm climate. They’re long-lived, with a lifespan of 8-12 years.
They have an upright stance, similar to the Runner duck. Their bills are yellow. Darker bills, either brown or black, means they are a hybrid cross, of Alabio with Mojosari, another duck breed from Java. It’s hard to find the pure breed now, due to uncontrolled crossbreeding by local farmers to achieve higher production.
Here’s a pet Alabio duck (although it’s one of the black-billed individuals that may be hybrid):
cute ducks
Actually the ducks in the video was not a pure breed Alabio Ducks. In the video they are shown to have brown to black beak. It means they are hybrid of Alabio with Mojosari, another duck breed from Java. Pure breed is incredibly rare now, because of uncontrolled cross breeding by local farmers to achieve higher production parameter (eggs and meat).
Hi Agna,
That’s very interesting! I had no idea. I don’t really want to remove the video, since it will probably be impossible to find a video of real Alabio ducks, but I’ll add an explanation.
What color bill does a pure Alabio duck have?
Hannah
Hi, Hannah
They are characterised by their yellow beak. Darker coloration, like brown or black is a characterisation of Ducks from Java. The coloration on the ducklings is quite unique, but I can only describe it as bright yellow colour with black stripes. The adult female and male have different coloration. The female is mostly in light brown colour, while the male have this cute curl with rainbow colour of a tail. I personally think the male has the most beautiful coloration among Indonesian Duck breed. But right now it is almost impossible to find pure breed.
I am a vet in Hulu Sungai Utara where the breed originated. So I can confirm this. And it is sad to see that the number of pure breed is declining.