Cayuga Duck Breed – Everything You Need to Know

This beautiful ducks’ origins are from the United States. The Cayuga is a very popular exhibition, egg and meat bird.

They have a wonderful character and very calm docile birds that lay a good number of black or grey shelled eggs. Their beautiful plumage makes them great ornamental birds that are quite prized poultry shows.

Their meat is of the highest quality and is said to be quite deliciously tasty too.

The Cayuga drakes are sometimes mute, but the female of the species makes up for him not being able to chat and is quite a loud bird.

An all-around great pet, utility and show bird that is an excellent forager, can fend for itself and makes a good starter duck.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Country of Origin:	North America
American Poultry Association:	yes Recognized by the American Poultry Association
Duck Category:	Medium
Duck Class:	American
Colors:	Black, Date of acceptance: 1874
Good starter duck?	Yes
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Bantam Variety Available?	No
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APPEARANCE / IDENTIFICATION

DUCK BITS

DESCRIPTION

COLOR

EYES⇒

Same for M & F

Dark Brown

BILL⇒

Same for M & F

Olive/Black

* Black bean tipped

CRESTED?

LEGS⇒

Same for M & F
Short Length

Light Black to Black

As they get older their legs tend to turn an orange color

FEET⇒

Same for M & F
Medium Sized

Light Black to Black

Will start to turn an orange as they age

WINGS⇒

Same for M & F

Black with a green sheen

They sometimes start to turn white with age

FEATHERS⇒

Same for M & F

Black with a green sheen

The male’s head has a lot more green.
Both M & F feathers start to go white as they get older

SKIN COLOR⇒

Same for M & F

White

Can go yellowish depending on what they are fed

AVERAGE WEIGHT⇒

Adult Female:	7 lbs.
Adult Male:	8 lbs.
Mature:	**5-6 lbs. @ 8 weeks old

*Bean: This is also called the nail. It is a small round bump found at the end of the duck’s bill. It is used for defence and to catch insects. It is almost like a fingernail and is damaged can grow back. It can also get overgrown much like fingernails if they do not have something to grind it down on.

** Note: This is an average weight for the male duck and not a guaranteed weight

USE/PURPOSE

Females/Hens

⇒

Eggs, Breeding, Show and Meat. They make a good starter duck and pet

Eggs⇒
	Color:	Grey has been known to lay a pure black egg or two. Can lay white eggs it is dependent on the season
	Qty/Yr:	130 – 180
	Size:	Medium
	They will start to try hatch eggs from their first lay
	Start to lay around 25 to 30 weeks old. They lay consistently through the year
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Broody:	Yes	They can be broody and will sit their eggs
Mothers:	Yes	They can make good mothers
Meat:	Yes	Some report them to have the most exceptional tasting meat
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Pets:	Yes	They are reported to be the sweetest natured ducks
Show:	Yes	They are exceptionally beautiful show birds
Prime:	7 yrs	They lay right up to between 8 to 9 years of age if they stay healthy

Males/Drakes

⇒

Meat, Breeding, Show and pets

Breed:	Yes	Should only start to breed them at 6 months old
Start:	–	Start to get fertile at around 3 – 4 months
No. Females	5	For every 1 drake in a flock
Aggressive	No	They have a kind gentle nature
Meat	Yes	They have a good quality and really good tasting meat
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Pets:	Yes	–
Show:	Yes	They are beautiful show birds
Prime:	4 yrs	It is best to mate the younger drakes of up to about 4 years old

TEMPERAMENT
“Sweet, calm and gently”
Good with Kids?	They are very good around supervised kids
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Flyers?	No
Noisy Birds?	No, they are said to be the quietest of duck breeds
Interact with other ducks?	They seem shy, but they will mingle with other ducks
Best duck breeds to mix them with:	Any domesticated breed of duck .
Other animals?	Must be watched around cats and dogs. But they tend to shy away from them

IDEAL ENVIRONMENT
“They are a hardy breed that likes to forage and fend for themselves. So, like a bit of ground to do so”
Ideal Garden Size?	Medium to large
Can be Confined?	They like to be out foraging about
Free-Range	This is ideal for them
Penned Free-Ranging?	Would have to be large enough to keep them happy
Foragers	They are exceptionally good at foraging.
Endures heat well	Yes
Endures cold well	Yes
Special Requirements?	No
Ideal Duck House:	Any good well-sized hutch that is well ventilated, insulated and secure
Ideal Duck Pond:	They like a nice pond or splash pool
Flock/Paddling Size:	Two or more
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GOOD TO KNOW
Special Care/Attention Requirements?	They have no special needs
Known Predators:	Check with animal control in your area for known predators
Conservations Status:	Not Listed For more information on poultry, conservation status, check the American Livestock Conservancy Website
Breeders Clubs:	It is best to check with the American Poultry Association for various clubs and or organizations.
Where to buy them:	Purely Poultry, My Pet Chicken, Cackle Hatchery, Metzer Farms or check with your local poultry dealers and or farmers, the APA or check with the American Livestock Conservancy
Other:	If you do not want to risk having your ducks shipped check with your local poultry farms for advice on your nearest supplier.

HISTORY

The Cayuga originated in the United States of America and is named after Lake Cayuga. Lake Cayuga can be found in the Western Part of New York.

Although it has quite a long and complex history this breed was developed in the mid-19th century. It was developed from a cross of Rouen and East Indie ducks.

The duck was imported to the United Kingdom in 1851 where it was accepted and recognized by the British Standards in 1907.

The Cayuga duck had been accepted into the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association in 1874.

This duck is completely black including its bill, legs and feet. In the sun the duck’s feather glow and deep glossy beetle green.

The meat of this duck is said to be really good although the carcass is hard to clean because of the black feathers. This may leave some dark feathers behind on the skin of the duck and is why white duck varieties are better for meat production.

Health

They do not have any known health issues. They are said to be the hardiest of domestic duck breeds

Ducks need water to ensure they do not get “wet feather” disease. This is where the preening gland dries out. Water also stops them from getting pests such as mites, fleas, ticks, lice, etc.
Well, fed ducks should hardly have any health issues.
Any birds kept in a flock need to be dewormed. Although ducks are not as prone as other poultry they should still have a de-worming regime. Speak to a local vet or poultry experts for advice. Our article on Healthy Ducks has some great tips and advice on de-worming ducks.