Cayuga duck: description, photo, features of keeping and breeding

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

In rural areas, people often try to make money with the help of a personal farmstead. One of the promising areas is the breeding of ducks and raising them for meat. You can also sell young stock, which is very well taken in spring and summer. But how to properly approach the cultivation of ducks so that it generates income? Find out in this article.

Description of the breed

Recently, farmers are most willing to take meat and egg ducks. Such a bird is more cost-effective and convenient to keep. The farmer will always be sure that, if necessary, he will be able to earn money both on meat, and on eggs, and on the sale of young animals. Among the breeds, the American Cayuga duck has proven itself well.

Her homeland is the city of New York. The breed was bred by an American breeder near Cayuga Lake, which gave the bird its name. It is also called the emerald or coral duck because of the unusual plumage color.

Bird has a strong build, wide-set paws and a rounded head. The beak of this breed can only be black. The tail of the Cayuga is of medium length, looking up. The eyes of the bird are brown, quite expressive. Cayugas have a mild docile disposition. They love walking outdoors and swimming in water.

Appearance of plumage

Initially it may seem that Cayugas are black in color, but they are not. If released into places well lit by the color of the sun, their plumage will sparkle with blues, greens and grayish-metallic colors. From the description of the cayuga duck, it follows that the sex of the bird in this breed can be determined by its color. The plumage of females is cast in blue, while that of males is more green.

Some individuals may have a slight speck on the chest, which is considered a disqualifying sign. Such a bird will never be able to get high marks at agricultural exhibitions, as well as participate in breeding. If a farmer wants to breed ducks, he must carefully consider the choice of the future parent flock.

Productivity

Cayuga duck meat has its connoisseurs, but not everyone will like the appearance of its carcass. Females have an average live weight of 3 kg, while males are about 4 kg. After slaughter, the carcasses are not very large, which is very convenient when selling. But buyers in the markets are reluctant to sell cayuga ducks, because after plucking, dark feather stumps remain on their skin. It is very difficult to remove them completely, even almost impossible without losing the presentation of the carcass. But the meat of the Cayugas is very tasty and not as fatty as that of other ducks. It's because of the great taste.product they have their admirers.

The first Cayuga duck eggs are black and cannot be used for incubation. In the following, the color of the shell gradually lightens until they become light green. You can eat both light eggs and dark ones. Farmers use the resulting products both for family consumption and for sale. The average cayuga lays between 100 and 150 eggs each year.

Building a poultry house

Cayugi ducks, like other birds, do not tolerate drafts. The walls of the room must be strong and not blown by the wind. A layer of large sawdust or straw can be poured onto the floor. The litter must be completely or partially changed as it gets dirty. The bird cannot stand damp indoors and may start to get sick.

In order for Cayuga ducks to lay eggs well and gain sufficient weight, it is necessary to provide 14-hour daylight hours in the poultry house. Many farmers use infrared lamps for these purposes, which also heat the room. The temperature in the chicken coop should not fall below +5 degrees.

Feeders in the poultry house should be equipped so that ducks cannot climb into them and scatter feed. Also, for normal life, ducks need a shell rock, which should stand in separate bowls. It is better to make automatic drinkers in the chicken coop.

Content Features

Emerald cayuga duck easily adapts to any, even the most severe climate. In many regions, they can even be kept free-range, driven into the house only for the night. They are goodadapted to the grazing mode of keeping and are happy to eat various beetles and worms.

A farmer who wants to breed cayuga should equip a spacious reservoir for them. If, however, the shore of the lake is being equipped for the maintenance of ducks, then under the water it is necessary to stretch the net. From above, you also need to equip some kind of obstacle for the bird.

Feeding

The basis of the Cayuga diet is various grains. It is the signs that are the main energy supplier for ducks. The most popular types of grains are wheat, barley and corn. In summer, cayugas are happy to eat grass on pasture, but in winter they can be given fodder beets or pumpkins. Many farmers introduce oil cakes and meals into the poultry diet, which are an excellent source of protein.

Cayuga ducks also need vitamin and mineral supplements. Farmers introduce them into the diet according to the weight of the bird and its stage of life. For example, a duckling has one nutrient requirement, while an adult laying hen has a different one. Some farmers prefer to feed their birds with factory-made feed.

Breeding

Cayugi ducks usually start laying in March, they are good hens, so you don't have to worry about the offspring. But if desired, the farmer can lay eggs in the incubator. In regions with a mild climate, Cayugas often rush all year round. Usually the bird sits on its own for incubation after about 10 eggs have accumulated in its nest. If the owner does not want to breed, then they will need to be picked up.

The parent herd shouldconsist of 1 drake and no more than 7 ducks. Only in this case, the eggs will have a good embryo, which means that more chicks will hatch from them. If there are 10 or 15 ducks for 1 drake, then he will not be able to cope with his duties. The birds in the parent flock must be unrelated, otherwise the offspring will be weak.

Fat for meat

Ducks gain weight well if they have the right diet. In addition, do not forget that cayugas are a meat and egg breed, large individuals can reach 4-5 kg. For fattening, ducks should be given not only grain, but also wet mash. Ideally, you need to steam them with meat broth, whey. The liquid must be warm.

From grain it is recommended to give preference to wheat, it is very nutritious and high in calories. The diet should be supplemented with crushed corn and cake. Cayuga meat is fattened for 60 days and then slaughtered.

Breed diseases

Photos of Cayuga ducks are fascinating, you can admire their interesting plumage for a long time. But the birds of this breed are not only beautiful, but also resistant to many diseases. But Cayugas are still susceptible to some ailments. For example, ducks with improper feeding may suffer from beriberi.

Adult birds can catch coccidiosis, in which case all dead birds should be disposed of. Another dangerous disease that Cayugas are prone to is aspergillosis. With this fungal disease, poultry meat should not be eaten even after a longheat treatment.

Owner Reviews

In general, farmers are satisfied with their productive pets. They have not only tasty meat, but also airy, very warm fluff. Products from it will always be light and beautiful. Cayuga ducks are very smart, they do not need shepherds during walks, they themselves unmistakably find their way to their own home. The bird easily adapts to the harsh climate, and the young obtained from it have a high survival rate.