Cayugas: Do they age well?

[GardenerGal]

One of my Cayugas is 5 years old, and she seems to be slowing down a bit. She stopped laying last year, she has a lot of white feathers sprouting, and her waddling seems slower. She rests a lot. Compared to the khaki Campbells, which seem to remain vigorous right up to their elder years, this Cayuga seems to age more quickly.

Is this just an individual genetics issue, like with humans, or do Cayugas as a breed have a shorter life span than some other breeds? Just curious. My Cayuga seems othewise happy and healthy. Just slower and "post menopausal."

 

[hendrix25]

The breeder I got my ducks from had only Cayugas. Her oldest was 10 and still laying eggs and going broody. She actually hatched a brood of 11 in July. The mother of my ducks was 7, and the breeder said she was very active. But she got killed by a predator. Her drake was also 7 and he was very active keeping four females bred. So yours could be sick or have genetic issues. Good luck with her!

 

[GardenerGal]

She seems healthy and happy, but probably has some issue in her reproductive system that stopped her laying, and she's just a slow waddler compared to the rest of the ducks, especially the khaki Campbells. I guess if you compare the two breeds, the Cayugas look like they are practically in slow motion. ;D Maybe the contrast between the Cayuga and the Campbells made me wonder if something was wrong.