Cayuga Duck

Breed Overview

The Cayuga duck is an American breed that originated in New York State in the mid-1800s. The foundation stock was obtained in Orange County, New York by John S. Clark and later introduced to Cayuga County in the Finger Lakes region around 1840. Both the breed and the county were named after the Cayuga Nation, part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Cayugas quickly became popular throughout the northeastern United States, where duck was a common meat in urban markets. The breed was accepted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874. By the late 1800s, Cayugas were raised in large numbers on commercial duck farms across New York. Their population declined in the early 1900s when production shifted toward white-feathered Pekin ducks, which were easier to process commercially.

Cayugas are medium-sized ducks, averaging 7–8 pounds at maturity. They have long, elegant bodies with a slightly elevated front carriage, a broad and prominent breast, and strong, compact legs. Their plumage is black with a vivid green, blue, or purple iridescent sheen in sunlight, though white mottling may appear with age. Cayugas are hardy, calm, and well-suited to cold climates. They are strong foragers, quiet by duck standards, and poor fliers, making them suitable for a wide range of farm settings.

Hens typically lay 100–150 large eggs per year. Eggs begin the season nearly black and gradually lighten to gray, greenish-blue, and eventually white as the laying cycle progresses.

Our Cayuga Ducks

Our Cayuga flock consists of the following birds:

Drakes: Absinthe, Cosmopolitan, Burnt Chip

Hens: Boba, Water, Fanta, Bombay, Smoothie, Sprite

These birds were selected for temperament, structure, and pigmentation, and represent the classic utility Cayuga type.

Our Breeding Goals

Our current breeding focus is on preserving and strengthening the defining visual traits of the Cayuga duck. We are prioritizing deep black pigmentation, strong and consistent iridescence, and rich egg color early in the laying season. Our goal is to produce visually striking, hardy Cayugas that reflect the breed’s historic appearance while remaining productive, calm, and well-adapted to small-farm conditions.