In the chicken continue world , poulet keepers often savour expanding their troop forrainbow egg basket . Who says duck’s egg keepers ca n’t have some fun too ? When a Cayuga duck starts laying testis , the shade can be a charcoal gray shameful , lento fading to a light gray over the trend of the laying cycle . In gain to their unparalleled testicle , Cayugas walk around sporting a sensational , mallet green sheen that have them a joyousness to keep in the raft .

About Cayuga Ducks

John S. Clark brought the Cayuga ducks to the Finger Lakes realm of New York around 1840 , where the duck earned their name from Cayuga Lake .

Cayugas reach a big amount of popularity after their introduction to New York and quickly open to other parts of the country . Around 1874 , Cayugas gained credit by the American Poultry Association and were accepted into the Standard of Perfection .

Cayuga Duck Characteristics

1. Size and Weight

Cayuga ducks were bred to be a dual - purpose stock , so these birds have a minute more meat on their bones than some breeds . Drakes or manly ducks normally count approximately 8 pounds at full - spring up free weight . Hen duck’s egg typically press more or less less , tip the ordered series around 7 pounds when fully grow .

2. Temperament

This breed is well suited to be a favored duck because of its charming and sweet-scented personality . If socialized from an other age , Cayugas become excellent companions for their human caretaker . Cayuga biddy also have an super strong inclination to go broody andraise their ducklingswith like and nurturing dispositions .

3. Egg Production

Many duck breeds can lay about300 eggs per year , but Cayugas do n’t have such telling egg production . Although their eggs are unique and very eye - beguile , Cayugas only lay between 100 and 150 eggs in a twelvemonth .

4. Meat Production

BeforePekinscame along , Cayugas were one of the main meat - producing duck on the grocery store . The meat on this bird is still good quality meat , but there have been problem encountered when it comes to achieve a dead clean carcase .

The black stick feathers on Cayugas stomach out very understandably against light skin and can give an unkempt look about the carcass . For people that do n’t deal duck skin a requirement , they simply skin the bird to keep off have to plunk blackened thole feathers .

Taking Care of Cayuga Ducks

1. Feeding and Nutrition

Cayuga ducks are excellent foragers and have the ability to forage a big amount of their own diet when give the field to do so . However , it is always important to ensure your ducks have a well - regulated diet and are receiving all the necessary vitamins and mineral to thrive .

For those that have raised duck , Cayugas require the same diet as most ducks and are wide-eyed ducks to uphold . If you ’re new to the world of ducks , take the time to read aboutwhat to feed ducksin order to raise the healthiest birds potential .

2. Housing and Fencing

Most duck have about the samehousingand fence requirements in parliamentary procedure to stay well-chosen and living comfortably . Cayugas will thrive in aproperly built duck housewith about 5 - 6 - square foot per duck . In the run , a minimum of 12 - 15 - square feet per duck will provide enough space to ensure everyone has way to flip and move around freely .

Wherever your duck’s egg get out to play during the Clarence Day , the orotund rootage of water you may provide for your duck is of import . Some people ca n’t deal more than a kiddie pool while others have an entire duck pond .

recollect that water is important to the eudaemonia of a duck’s egg ’s life and do n’t acquire more ducks than you’re able to comfortably offer piss for .

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3. Health Issues and Care

If you want a robust and intrepid duck , Cayugas are the duck for you . More than once , Cayugas have been noted as the hardiest domesticate duck available .

All ducks can be susceptible to vernacular illnesses , and Cayugas are certainly no exception . However , this breed does not have any specific health issuance to worry about , which ready them an easygoing duck to levy than some .

4. Breeding

For those planning on breeding Cayugas , they will make a fun duck’s egg breed with a few unique challenge . Due to the fact that ball color can range from nearly white to charcoal shameful , Cayuga eggs will not always be easy to candle . In fact , most black and dark gray egg will in all likelihood be impossible to candle with any variety of success .

One especially helpful thing about breeding Cayugas is the help you could expect from your hen . Since Cayugas have a strong disposition to go broody , you may end up with some of your hens raising a few mess every year .

Cayuga Breed Alternatives

1. Rouen

Although there is no duck with a full - body mallet green shininess like the Cayuga , Rouen ducks have a beautiful green head like Cayugas or Mallards . Rouens are primarily a meat duck , and like Cayugas , they do n’t have the best orchis production in the existence .

2. Silver Appleyard

Silver Appleyard ducks do n’t resemble Cayugas in appearance , but they have a lot to volunteer . Like Cayugas , Silver Appleyards are a duple - design stock , although sporting much respectable egg output than Cayugas .

Did You Know?

Although biddy can still be slenderly noisy now and then , Cayuga ducks are much quieter than most ducks . For those that do n’t love really noisy duck , this strain is perfect for keep the volume down around the farm .

This breed is doubtless one of the most alone birds you’re able to add to your farm . Really , how many people have black eggs in their egg cartonful ? Ducks from good breeding stock may be slenderly pricey to come by , but most people would by all odds tell apart you that Cayugas are deserving it .

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