One of the many legends behind the origin of the Cayuga breed is that it was developed from a pair of wild black ducks that a miller in Duchess County, New York, caught on his millpond in 1809 and a few descendents were brought to the Finger Lakes region of New York in 1840. Another story is that the Cayuga takes its name from Lake Cayuga, New York. In spite of such stories, the fact remains that this breed is of US origin.

It is very important to keep rats and wild birds away from the duck feed to prevent the onset of diseases. The PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Duck Feeder discourages vermin onto the site. The ¼ inch regulator disc can be used when the feed is millet or mash. Either the ¾ inch or 1 inch regulator disc of the PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Duck Feeder system can be used to feed corn.

The Cayuga ducks are all black, usually with a green sheen. Though they are medium-sized, these ducks cannot fly. The hens weigh 5 to 6 pounds and the males between 6 and 7 pounds. They are considered to be good layers, laying 100 – 150 eggs per year. Eggs are initially black in color, but as the season progresses egg color turns to light gray, and then to white by the end of the season. Their meat is also considered to be full of flavor.

This breed was accepted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. The Cayuga ducks are popular in exhibitions. However, they are listed as “Threatened” on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List which means there are fewer than 1,000 breeding birds in the US. They are docile and extremely hardy.