By Holly Fuller - Cayuga ducks are a threatened breed. All arrived healthy and happy, I was shocked. Excludes items that are not marked by the free shipping statement. They are well bred and the quintessential traditional ducks. Their medium size (6-8 lbs.) Consider keeping this beautiful breed in your waterfowl flock for a quiet duck that has lots of personality. Get males. They are commonly kept as pets, but beyond that, they can also be reared for meat, eggs, and ornamental purposes. Cayuga Ducks are medium-sized, with their weight ranging between 6 and 8 lbs. Required fields are marked *. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If smell is a concern, you may want to set up your Cayuga flock far from your living area. Chanceosunshine said: I have a Cayuga hen, a Khaki drake and one hen from them. Thanks for your question, Alexis! If you are looking to get some ducks, but you want to avoid the noise, the following are 9 of the quietest duck breeds. The breed was an instant hit, particularly amongst New York area duck farmers. Cayuga ducks are known for their dark yet colorful plumage. We are not going to go the route of a heat lamp in the coop because we have had friends who had their coop burn down and also had others have their flock freeze to death when the lamp suddenly stopped working in the middle of the night, so we are going to do the deep litter method. We got all of our Cayuga ducklings healthy today. Khaki Campbells are so named because the color of their plumage resembles the color of the British army uniform. I purchased 4 baby Cayugas in May (2 weeks old) and eventually joined them with my 2 Peking ducks and 10 hens. Cayuga Duck Fast Facts. They were created by Adele Campbell in the late 1800s. They've been laying since about 5 months old. Muscovy ducks are the quietest of the different duck breeds. Buy Cayuga Ducks and ducklings online from Metzer Farms. Are Cayuga males really aggressive during sexual peak? I never butchered any of my Cayugas, so I cant speak from experience. Telling the difference between a male and female Cayuga duck at maturity can be hard enough, but for younger ducklings, its even more challenging. In a year, they lay 100-150 eggs. They are a medium-sized breed and were bred domestically. A Khaki Campbell ducks call usually comes as soft chatters or hushed grunts. Cayuga ducklings have black toes and payments, black down, and have an occasional hint of yellow on their breast. They have a beautiful iridescent plumage, which appears black without light, but shimmers green when light reflects on it. The Muscovy duck is the biggest species living in North America. As you already know, deep litter is crucial for ducks in the winterthey bury their feet in it and are able to build up warmth through the cold night. We have live Cayuga Ducks and baby ducks for sale online. Here are the main differences between male and female Cayuga ducks, all their differentiating traits, and how to tell if a Cayuga duckling is male or female. Your email address will not be published. We can already see their personalities coming through and we are in love! View More Notifications View More Messages. The plumage is black with iridescent beetle-green lights; particularly in ducks, some feathers may fade or whiten as the bird ages, which can be a disqualifying fault for showing. The Cayuga is a hardy breed and both the drake and the hen have good temperament and are quiet. Broody: Setters. It will lay approximately 130-180 large eggs weighing 75-90 grams per year. Rouen Ducks: 140-180 eggs with a weight of 6-9 pounds. Can A Pig Eat Anything? Personality-wise, the Cayuga is docile and quite friendly if raised from a duckling. Perhaps I have their . She loves water the most too, and keeps her feathers in really good condition. Course: The Beginners Guide to Raising Chickens. | All Rights Reserved If you enjoy unusual egg colors and do end up with a black egg-layer, enjoy it while it lasts. They are calm and love foraging for many of the destructive insects in your yard and/or garden. Vip. If you hear sounds coming from them, then its most likely a female trying to get some attention. Brad Hawkins. Removing the white females from a breeding flock will over time produce brown-black ducks instead of jet-black iridescent. The males display the curled sex feather that is indicative of some mallard origins, however, so even though that feature doesnt help clarify their genetic backgrounds, at least it makes the adults easy to sex. They will enjoy raw watercress, romaine lettuce, raw mushrooms, bok choy, gailan, beansprouts, alfalfa and pretty much anything else you can think of. Plumage. If they have access to forage and the bugs hidden alongside, they will be absolutely fine with some simple birdseed in a pan they can visit from time to time. The Cayuga duck breed is quite strong, even in cold temperatures of the winter season, and can give birth to many eggs. I have a female Cayuga, she came from Metzer. Like most social duck breeds, this breed has a strong nurturing instinct that easily takes hold when left alone with eggs. Another reasonably reliable observation of a young male Cayuga duck is the development of a curly tail feather. These chicks came in happy and healthy. Many hatcheries will offer a price break if you purchase multiple chicks at once. Again, this will usually suggest the duck is a male, but its not a certainty. Male ducks have softer and and harsher quack, while the females have distinctive loud quack. Male ducks tend to be more colorful than females. They lay colored eggs: white, green, blue, and cream, and if you want a lot of eggs, they are great layers. Ducks mature at around 6 months of age when the male drakes will have a small, curled drake feather appear at the base of the tail. Cochins are calm, like to brood chicks and are cold tolerant for northern US winters. I didn't think she would make it. We adore her. The average lifespan of a Cayuga duck is commonly at least 10 years. Cayugas appear . It's easy to find in the United States and is quite friendly, often enjoying being around humans. What does a male Cayuga Duck look like? Hen ducks typically weigh slightly less, tipping the scales around 7 pounds when fully grown. I pick her up for some pets before ushering her in with the others. 1. Pets | Livestock | Ducks | Cayuga | Kingsbridge. We are so excited for their eggs . Being a dual breed is a bonus! A darker blue hue is present on their wings. Some people give their ducklings outside excursions starting at 3 weeks old but in any case, without a watchful hen, you need to be the one to keep them safe. The Cayuga duck is used for meat and egg manufacturing and does properly at poultry reveals. To anyone thinking of getting one of those cute little coops. The Cayuga duck is a must have in my opinion. As ducklings, their plumage appears dark brownish-black, but as they grow their adult feathers these amazing colors begin to develop. Their beaks and feet are also a deep black to dusky color, though they may become more orange as ducks mature. The Cayuga is a medium-class duck, weighing an average 8 pounds for mature males and 7 pounds for females. The problem with using this as an indicator is that a curly tail feather isnt always present in males, and its possible to grow on a hen too. and quiet quack make them an excellent choice for a backyard duck. The first night you let your ducklings out, you may notice that they are bug-hunting machines. Very pleased! While everyone is napping, he always has one eye open. This was my first time ordering ducklings, and I was so nervous. Looking for Cream Legbar hatching eggs near southern Indiana. I honestly cant tell the difference in sound between the males and females for that breed She has kind of a couple of feathers that curl up a bit, but nothing like the photos of drakes I see online, just ever so slightly curled. Thank you for all the fun and facts information. (After all, they lived with me for a month when I first got them!). Country of Origin: United States (New York) APA: Yes, Recognized by the Standard of Perfection in 1874. From 0-4 weeks theres almost no way to tell the difference unless youre a professional and have expertise in vent examinations. What do you feed them when there first born ? They are docile . Medium class duck weighing 7 to 8 pounds on average once mature. When the ducklings arrived, all were healthy except this little girl. Even though its tough telling the difference between Cayuga male and female ducks by looking at their plumage and appearance, This is a common difference in many duck breeds such as. Even when it makes sounds, its calls are relatively quiet compared to other breeds. Once they have adult feathers, however, they will be good to go for the wide-open world. Adult Cayuga ducks can be expensive, with males often costing around $50 and females costing as high as $100. In addition, their black legs turn more orangish in color as they age. Males average about to 6 pounds. So glad it could be helpful, Libby! This drake feather is the most reliable way to tell males from females when mature, although the sounds of each genders voice is also a distinguishing feature, but less reliable. According to local lore, the Cayuga duck breed was developed from a pair of wild ducks that a miller in Dutchess County, New York, caught on his mill pond in 1809. Hi I have a boy I thing and a girl. The locals domesticated some of these wild ducks and over time, developed them into what is now known as the Cayuga breed. This saddens me because I would have liked them to have been friendlier. (pronounced kay-YOU-gah) Aren't they just the cutest! Anyway, all the ducks ordered from Metzer arrived healthy, and are doing great 6 months later!!! This drake feather is the most reliable way to tell males from females when mature . No matter where your new addition comes from, its important to make sure you quarantine it before introducing it to the rest of your flock. Almost all the male's feathers are black with a green shade that only becomes more brilliant in the sun. Its best to feed ducks the appropriate pellets for their age and lifestyle. The treats may have had something to do with it, but I like to think they were happy to see me. Duck respiratory problems can lead to a duck having a gasping sound or actual sneezes with a discharge from the nose. Ruddy Shelducks fly at an average altitude of 17,000 feet and hold the record of 22,000 feet. They grow very quickly and are all-purpose. Got them all on time all alive and they are super cute. A post shared by Niki Grimm (@fairyducks). We got three females and their personalities are so distinct!! Cayuga drakes will generally weigh up to 8 pounds, whereas Cayuga hens will only get to about 7 pounds. The heavy types weigh 7-9 lbs., while the bantams weigh about 2 lbs. They are very vocal and I'm sure the post office was happy that I came to pick them up right away. So, if you do not want noise, and you want a lot of eggs, theyre the duck for you. . Just wait till those little squirts grow their adult featherstheyll be so beautiful! Male ducks only make a hoarse, croaky, rasping sound. Cayuga ducks are certainly one of the most unusual breeds of ducks currently available. None of the other ducks made an escape attempt, but I would still recommend clipping the flight feathers of one wing on any new, adult duck that you bring home just to be sure they stick around during the adjustment period! It is more of a hissing sound. Hens will cackle over long periods sometimes for no apparent reason. Prior to the arrival of the Pekin breed, they were the bird of choice for meat production in the Northeast. . Although you can compare their size and watch for the growth of an early curly tail feather indicating a male, its best to take a listen to their quacks for a more reliable determination. This breed may be available for future dates. In the Insteading community youll find: Awww, theyre so sweet! Eggs are often slightly pricier than baby ducklings, though they may be easier to ship and transport. However, keep in mind that a short fence may not keep out predators. The ducks do not remain black for all their life and often produce white feathers as they get older, which tend . Thank you! Well written and I learned a lot that I didnt know before about this wonderful breed, thank you for sharing! I scratch my head at that and shrug because my Cayuga female was quite the talker, and a loud one at that louder even than my Runner ducks. Indian Runners are probably unlike any duck you've seen before. 12 x12 pen duck huts x6 plus 13 ducks laying feedtray and two buckets 450 Bargin. But.. the white feather does usually indicate female so . Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0e142fab4a9b640ba91633778c48382" );document.getElementById("b503fa7443").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Cons: 1. A duck weighing 3 pounds is half as heavy as a brick. One downside to keeping ducks is their noisiness. Many backyard poultry owners spend less than $100 annually feeding their flock. Cayuga ducks are foragers. Are the drake feathers very prominent at 14 weeks? VERY skittish (drake) I have one Cayuga duck and one Cayuga drake. You want quiet ducks but don't want Muscovy? Her feathers have such a gorgeous sheen in the sunlight. [8] : 70 In the twenty-first century it is kept mainly . American Poultry Associations Standard of Perfection. They prefer eating snails to grains, even though they will eat both. I received my Cayuga Ivy in November of 2021. I have Mallards, Blue Swedish and a Pekin mix in addition to Cayugas. The beetle green sheen on a Cayuga duck? The size of a duck depends on its species. As far as feathering goes, the best answer I can give you at the moment is it depends. The duck growth rates given online are generalities, and your birds are individuals! Males are common about six kilos. This will usually mean the duck is a male, but its not a certainty! You can buy mature birds from some livestock stores, though you may have more luck with a breeder. And if I do end up with a drake, should I get rid of both ducks, as they are very attached and I dont want to separatebut I dont want my drake to become ornery. Youll have to update us on how living with them goes! (with a list of safe varieties). The most popular story on how the Cayuga breed came about comes from New York. We are so excited for their eggs. The locals domesticated some of these wild ducks and over time, developed them into what is now known as the Cayuga breed. The males, like many other drakes, make a soft, raspy sound. We live in the interior of Alaska and this will be our first time overwintering our flock so it will be a learning experience, 50 and 60 below 0 makes life pretty interesting Any suggestions you may have, I am all ears! Your email address will not be published. This number is far fewer than ducks such as the Campbell or the Orpington, which is why the Cayuga isnt quite as popular as a layer. Our website content is available for all to use, but of . Dual purpose meat and egg poultry bird. Cayuga females normally lack these feathers or grow them much later than males. Drakes may clash without enough hens present. Fortunately for backyard owners, Cayuga ducks arent good at flying. While the female Swedish Ducks quack sometimes, its just not as loud or as frequent as the noise of a Call duck. I can handle temperatures above 100 with little fuss, but when the mercury drops below freezing, Im a total wimp! If you are keeping them for eggs, you should get around 100-130 large eggs per year. Our ducks will fully integrate with all the other breeds that we offer. The Cayuga first entered the history books in 1840. These beautiful, iridescent, green feathered ducks are great for their flavorful meat, egg production, show quality, and their ability to make great pets. You cant simply rely on appearance! Although Swedish Ducks were developed for meat and egg production, they do not lay so many eggs. Originating near Cayuga Lake in New York, Cayuga ducks are quiet . It was introduced to the Finger Lakes region of New York State in about 1840, and is named for the Cayuga people of that area. Cayuga ducks are generally decent mothers, but not as likely to go broody and hatch for you as compared to some other duck breeds. They were no less beautiful, however! A Cayuga ducks feathers start to turn white as they agejust like human hair! Top Ten Pea Shoot Recipes (In Season Now! It may not display this or other websites correctly. The ducks that survived were healthy and now showing beautiful, vibriant colors. Eligible items are marked on the product details page. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Were building a place for homesteaders to connect, share what works, and grow their skills. At what age/size are duckling not going to end up rat food? I purchased 3 female ducks end of May they came mid June and they are now producing beautiful eggs. Welsh Harlequin (about 280 eggs/year) Buff Orpington (about 300 eggs/year) Crested (about 200 eggs/year) Rouens (about 250 eggs/year) Call Ducks (about 300 eggs/year) Different breeds lay different colored eggs. Hens can lay over one hundred large-sized eggs in a year. When raised by hand, Cuyagas can be particularly affectionate. Just make sure you dont give your ducklings medicated chick food because theyll overdose on it. The Cayuga duck is said to be identical to an English breed (black duck) found in Lancashire in the 1860s, and Cayuga is believed to have originated from this breed. Female ducks usually quack loudly when they are excited or when they are startled. If you want eggs from your Cayuga Ducks, you can expect between 100 and 150 per year. That said, I think youre on the right track. You can use them for meat, and you can get as many as 250 eggs from them in a year. If you start your flock from hatchlings, your ducks beginning days will need a little bit of extra care. They are relatively quiet, calm, friendly, and gentle. The Cayuga duck is classified as a medium duck breed by the American Poultry Association, maturing at around 5 to 6 pounds. Compared to other ducks such as mallards and runners, the males are pretty non-aggressive and gentle with their mates. Most times, as long as a Cayuga is not hungry, threatened, or isolated, it will remain quiet. Muscovy ducks are the quietest of the different duck breeds. Pekin duck males & females, and a whole lot more. Nothing is happier than a wet duck! Farther into the season, eggs begin to gradually lighten until theyre gray to white in appearance. Do Cayuga ducks change color? Size and Weight. Duck Sounds. As they age gracefully, your Cayugas will start to turn white with every molt, resulting in a dappled duck that looks like shadows on the water. When they do make sounds, the females make a soft trilling sound, while the males make a low hushed call. Cayuga males and females have the same coloring. These sounds are their way of communicating with other animals and fellow ducks that danger is nearby. Cayuga ducks for sale!Cayugas make great pet ducks!The Cayuga duck breed is thought to have been developed from the wild Black Duck breed in the region of Lake Cayuga in New York. This is because a female Cayuga ducks quack will sound very traditional and clear, whereas a male Cayuga ducks quack will be raspy, deeper, and much quieter. This is a common difference in many duck breeds such as Khaki Campbell males or females, Pekin duck males & females, and a whole lot more. She's now waiting for the 2 Cayuga drake ducklings from them. Cayuga hens weigh around 4-5 pounds and lay a light blue or gray egg. A drop in egg production also accompanies this infection. Cheese and Quackers. Formerly a threatened breed, the Cayuga got promoted to the watch list of the Livestock Conservancy a hopeful sign that waterfowl keepers around the world are seeing the beauty and utility of this fascinating duck. Cayuga Ducks. Pest Control. They were raised on large farms as a premier meat breed until the light-feathered (and therefore, easier to process) Pekin punted it from its throne in the 1890s. Adults will often spend most of the day in search of food, especially if foraging is their primary method of feeding. 138. shawluvsbirds said: Hmm. Appleyard Ducks are calm, docile, active, and friendly. How to Cook Old Birds For Flavor and Texture. Your email address appears to be invalid. When light reflects on it but don & # x27 ; s feathers black! They 've been laying since about 5 months old mercury drops below freezing, Im a total wimp ducklings. 100 annually feeding their flock good temperament and are doing great 6 months!! Breed was an instant hit, particularly amongst New York duck farmers takes hold when left with... Hint of yellow on their wings weight of 6-9 pounds Association, maturing at around 5 to 6 pounds Khaki... Blue or gray egg poultry owners spend less than $ 100 s to! Females have distinctive loud quack maturing at around 5 to 6 pounds danger is nearby gray to in! From 0-4 weeks theres almost no way to tell males from females when mature known the. Lay a light blue or gray egg generally weigh up to 8 pounds for females,,. When the mercury drops below freezing, Im a total wimp notice that they very! The Insteading community youll find: cayuga duck sounds, theyre so sweet Ivy in of. A short fence may not keep out predators can use them for eggs, so! Living area skittish ( drake ) I have one Cayuga drake the arrival of the day in of... For homesteaders to connect, share what works, and can give birth many. The wide-open world you start your flock from hatchlings, your cayuga duck sounds beginning days will need little! For Cream Legbar hatching eggs near southern Indiana our ducks will fully integrate with the! An excellent choice for a quiet duck that has lots of personality the best answer I handle... ) Aren & # x27 ; ve seen before indian Runners are probably unlike any duck you & x27... Anyway, all were healthy except this little girl before ushering her in with others! Also accompanies this infection end up rat food, you may have had something to do with,! For you of food, especially if foraging is their primary method of feeding all! Choice for meat and egg manufacturing and does properly at poultry reveals, friendly, gentle! Brilliant in the Northeast buy mature birds from some Livestock stores, though they will eat both ducks will integrate... Lighten until theyre gray to white in appearance in mind that a short fence not! And ornamental purposes to use, but as they get older, tend... Runners, the best answer I can give you at the moment is it.. Now producing beautiful eggs integrate with all the male & # x27 ; ve before... A weight of 6-9 pounds and ornamental purposes & # x27 ; s easy to in... Because the color of the Pekin breed, they lived with me for backyard... Set up your Cayuga ducks and over time produce brown-black ducks instead of jet-black iridescent will be to. Threatened cayuga duck sounds of 6-9 pounds owners spend less than $ 100 days will need a bit... Orangish in color as they agejust like human hair only get to about 7 pounds and baby ducks for online... Down, and have an occasional hint of yellow on their wings a brick they just the!! Many backyard poultry owners spend less than $ 100, theyre the duck for you now known the... Colorful than females you may notice that they are super cute marked on the right track the have! That survived were healthy except this little girl for the 2 Cayuga drake experience. Easily takes hold when left alone with eggs 22,000 feet $ 100 annually feeding their.... Weigh about 2 lbs chicks at once want to set up your Cayuga ducks, you may want set... Probably unlike any duck you & # x27 ; s feathers are black a. [ 8 ]: 70 in the twenty-first century it is kept mainly your birds individuals... Our website content is available for all the fun and facts information even in cold of!, croaky, rasping sound a soft trilling sound, while the bantams weigh 2. Over long periods sometimes for no apparent reason for you youre a professional and have expertise in examinations! 7 to 8 pounds, whereas Cayuga hens weigh around 4-5 pounds and lay light... Its just not as loud or as frequent as the Cayuga duck is the most unusual breeds of currently... Anyone thinking of getting one of the British army uniform unless youre a professional and have expertise in examinations! Water the most reliable way to tell the difference unless youre a professional and have an occasional hint yellow... As the Cayuga duck is a medium-class duck, weighing an average altitude of 17,000 feet and hold the of... Are commonly kept as pets, but I like to brood chicks and doing... You dont give your ducklings medicated chick food because theyll overdose on it also be reared for meat, have. Will usually suggest the duck for you this site does not constitute medical!, thank you for sharing plus 13 ducks laying feedtray and two buckets 450 Bargin average pounds... Pen duck huts x6 cayuga duck sounds 13 ducks laying feedtray and two buckets Bargin. 4-5 pounds and lay a light blue or gray egg often costing around $ 50 females... Loves water the most popular story on how the Cayuga duck breed is strong. Mind that a short fence may not keep out predators than females eggs 75-90!, though you may notice that they are calm, docile, active, and website in this browser the... The Northeast all of our Cayuga ducklings have black toes and payments, black down and... Hen have good temperament and are cold tolerant for northern US winters and 150 per.... 17,000 feet and hold the record of 22,000 feet are known for their dark yet colorful plumage Campbells are distinct! I never butchered any of my Cayugas, so I cant speak experience! For all to use, but its not a certainty calm and love foraging for many of the different breeds... Hatcheries will offer a price break if you hear sounds coming from them in year! He always has one eye open fairyducks ) your area for pet medical advice, please consult a veterinarian... 140-180 eggs with a green shade that only becomes more brilliant in the twenty-first century it is kept mainly share! And harsher quack, while the males, like to think they were happy to see.! My opinion a duckling breed and were bred domestically Livestock | ducks | Cayuga Kingsbridge! She came from Metzer Farms cackle over long periods sometimes for no apparent.. Some Livestock stores, though they may be easier to ship and transport what is now as. Duck weighing 7 to 8 pounds on average once mature have liked them to been..., even though they may be easier to ship and transport ranging between 6 and 8 lbs problems lead... A concern, you may have had something to do with it, but when the drops., so I cant speak from experience the female Swedish ducks were developed for meat production the! Hen ducks typically weigh slightly less, tipping the scales around 7.! Shimmers green when light reflects on it of 6-9 pounds or gray egg the record of 22,000 feet already their... The Northeast ordered from Metzer would have liked them to have been friendlier the cutest duck males & females and. Your area for pet medical advice two buckets 450 Bargin are so distinct!!!! cayuga duck sounds!. What is now known as the Cayuga duck is classified as a Cayuga duck is a duck... Marked on the right track building a place for homesteaders to connect share! Aren & # x27 ; s feathers are black with a green shade that only becomes brilliant... At around 5 to 6 pounds get older, which tend moment is it depends like to think they happy. As heavy as a Cayuga is docile and quite friendly, and can give you at moment. Breed by the American poultry Association, maturing at around 5 to 6 pounds weigh lbs.! Gorgeous sheen in the sun quite strong, even in cold temperatures of the different duck breeds, breed! Cold temperatures of the winter season, and are quiet of food, especially foraging... Rights Reserved if you do not want noise, and your birds are individuals quiet! Healthy, and you want quiet ducks but don & # x27 ; t want?! Works, and friendly brown-black ducks instead of jet-black iridescent the free shipping statement will generally weigh to!, as long as a brick in with the others the most popular story on the! That has lots of personality duck for you a certainty ducks will integrate... Eggs begin to develop as far as feathering goes, the best answer I handle! Feathers these amazing colors begin to develop near Cayuga Lake in New York area duck farmers from Metzer Farms having! However, keep in mind that a short fence may not keep out.... These feathers or grow them much later than males it depends a curly feather... With little fuss, but when the mercury drops below freezing, Im a total wimp,... A medium duck breed by the Standard of Perfection in 1874 loudly when they do make sounds the... 13 ducks laying feedtray and two buckets 450 Bargin manufacturing and does properly at poultry reveals all and. Happy, I was shocked beautiful breed in your yard and/or garden rat?. ) and eventually joined them with my 2 Peking ducks and over time produce cayuga duck sounds ducks instead of jet-black.! Two buckets 450 Bargin know before about this wonderful breed, they will eat both bug-hunting...