Duck Breed Focus - Saxony

[sumi]

The Saxony breed was initially bred by Albert Franz of Chemnitz, Germany in the 1930s. He crossed Rouen, German Pekin and Blue Pomeranian ducks to create the Saxony. Almost all of his original stock was lost during World War 2, but resuming his efforts post war, Franz continued his efforts, but it wasn’t until 1952 that he started to find some of the original breeds that were used to create the Saxony and re-build the breed using the same principles as before. By 1955, the Lipzen show recorded 19 Saxony ducks from 4 different breeders and it was at this point that the breed took off and was finally standardised in 1957. Saxony ducks were thought to be imported into Britain during the 1970’s. In 1984, David Holderread, imported some Saxony ducks to the US, where it became popular, though numbers and breeders are still considered low.

It was admitted the APA's Standard of Perfection in 2000.

Details:

Origin: Germany
Purpose: Dual
Weight: 7-8 lb
Egg Laying: 200+ eggs annually


Pic by @SusanM


Pic by @Keystone Waterfowl


Pic by @mandelyn


Pic by @runamuck

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/saxony-bantam

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675234/anybody-else-have-saxonys/0_30

Do you own Saxony ducks? Are you a Saxony breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

 

[mandelyn]

We moved so I no longer have the ducks or chickens, but we're under contract for a little farm and I will be getting them again soon! Instead of trying a new breed of duck, I'll jump right back in with the Saxony.

What made you decide to get this breed? Their size, purpose (dual) and their pretty pastel coloring.


Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose? I had them for breeding and fun, as well as eggs! Lot's and lot's of eggs...

What are your favorite characteristics about this breed? I found them to be mild in nature, large in size, excellent layers, so-so mothers, and inquisitive enough to make good pets. The boss female did get loud in the mornings, and the boss male would get territorial on occasion, but never actually aggressive.

I ordered mine from Holderreads out of the show stock, and they were very nice and robust. Didn't lose a single one! 2 of the males turned out very nice with their coloring and 1 of the females was very well marked.

Once we have the pond dug at the next house, we'll make them a little oasis. Can't do it again like we did last time, our water bill was insane from keeping their kiddie pool clean! I'm excited to try it with a proper pond.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I love Saxony it's not a breed we see on BYC often and it's a shame because they are gorgeous ducks. Maybe they just need a little advertisement to get the word out about them. Thanks Sumi!

Another I'd like to add to my list of wants.

 

[Leisure105]

I raised 4 welsh harlequin ducks a few years ago. Man were they a hoot to watch in the yard! Was supposed to get 1 male and 3 females but the supplier screwed up and gave me the opposite. Eventually I had to cull 2 males (saw them stacked 3 high trying to breed the female and drowning her in the puddle doing so). Daisy and Donald made it through most of the winter until one nice weather day I forgot to close the coop at night and the ole fox found the open door.....d'oh! They just finished getting their adult plumage and looked a lot like a mallard(a lot like the saxony breed). Are welsh harlequin ducks the same as a Saxony?sorry I know very little about ducks......

 

[Miss Lydia]

I raised 4 welsh harlequin ducks a few years ago. Man were they a hoot to watch in the yard! Was supposed to get 1 male and 3 females but the supplier screwed up and gave me the opposite. Eventually I had to cull 2 males (saw them stacked 3 high trying to breed the female and drowning her in the puddle doing so). Daisy and Donald made it through most of the winter until one nice weather day I forgot to close the coop at night and the ole fox found the open door.....d'oh! They just finished getting their adult plumage and looked a lot like a mallard(a lot like the saxony breed). Are welsh harlequin ducks the same as a Saxony?sorry I know very little about ducks......

2 separate breeds. Both gorgeous breeds. If you want to learn about the different breeds then start watching for this thread sumi is doing one each week on all the breeds of domestic ducks. You'll learn alot,. Me too!

I am very sorry for your losses.

 

[applebutter14]

these are my 2nd favorite duck breeds!!!! i love them

 

[Margot30]

I have a pair plus 3 ducklings. They are the most beautiful of my 16 ducks. They love to talk and have the most amazing personalities. This is Heidi, Leon, and Otto

 

[Margot30]

these are my 2nd favorite duck breeds!!!! i love them

what's your first favourite?

 

[MagpieDucks]

@Frindizzle

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a pair plus 3 ducklings. They are the most beautiful of my 16 ducks. They love to talk and have the most amazing personalities. This is Heidi, Leon, and Otto

Where are the pics?? @Margot30 and Welcome to BYC
Look forward to seeing them..