Cayuga Questions

[tallyk]

Two quick questions as a newbie:
Do you have to have a drake in order for hens to lay?
How old is too old...are 2-3 year old Cayugs still great layers?
Thank you!

 

[desertdarlene]

They will lay without a drake just like chickens will without a rooster. However, ducks, in general, tend to be seasonal layers. You can extend laying time by supplying more light for them in the winter.

As far as I know, ducks will lay for most of their lives if they are in good health and fed the right feed. Cayugas are very hardy and can live up to ten years or more. They should be laying most of that time.

I'm sure someone will be along with more info and to correct anything I may have gotten wrong.

 

[tallyk]

Thank you very much for the information. I'm learning as I go so I appreciate your help.

 

[learycow]

Darlene is right!

They will lay eggs without a drake, but they will not be fertile which means they cannot hatch. So if you want baby ducks, you need a drake.

Cayugas tend to be somewhat seasonal. I'm in southern maine and mine always laid March/April through to Oct/Nov. They usually took the really cold months off (Dec, Jan, Feb).
They can live to be 10+ if very well cared for and not pushed to produce. They will lay stead for a good 3-4 years, then taper off similar to a chicken. They will still lay after that, but the number of eggs they lay per year will drastically decrease each year