So tell me about Cayuga ducks

[waibel zoo]

Anyone hae them? Do they fly? Do they eat a lot? I heard that they really don't spend that much time in the water? Are they quiet? Are they going to eat all my gardens or just the bugs? What do they need?



I might have gotten sucked in by the duck bug.

 

[Duck Keeper]

Had them, but I had to sell to keep the flock numbers down.

I loved my girls, they would quack softly as they walked. They were fat!
Ducks in general don't eat your garden unless it's the tender young stuff; they'll eat bugs and commercial duck feed.

They need exactly what other ducks need. They're ducks.

 

[hendrix25]

Anyone have them? I got three ducklings on April 30th. Mine are about 4-5 weeks old. Here's a picture the night I got them.

Do they fly? No, they don't fly. They are too heavy. However, they do get excited sometimes and take off running and attempt to fly...mine might get 6" off the ground, but nothing to worry about.


Do they eat a lot? Well I'm still on a normal size bad of feed, actually will be buying another bag tomorrow. But I feed mine tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, spinach, worms, etc.I also let them free range when I'm outside. (I haven't cut the aprons strings on letting them free range alone yet.

)

I heard that they really don't spend that much time in the water? well two weeks ago i would have disagreed but now i agree. when they were younger, I let them WADE around in the tub, and they LOVED that. You should let them do that just to get the laughs. Anyways, the past couple of days, I've filled the kiddie pool and they want NOTHING to do with it. So maybe they are over the whole water thing. Either way I will still offer it to they from time to time. **THEY ALWAYS HAVE THEIR WATER BOWL FOR DRINKING PURPOSES THOUGH.** I would never take that away from them.
Here is the link of mine wading...

Are they quiet? As ducklings, yes and no. I have one that is rather loud, but only when she's looking for me or she's get scared. But other than that I never hear them. They are no louder than the birds outside. But I have been told that as adults they are not loud at all. (That's a reason I went with Cayuga)


Are they going to eat all my gardens or just the bugs? They will eat anything that's tasty. So yes they will eat the plants and the bugs...you just have to watch them.
As I mentioned...you have to watch them...

What do they need? Water, un-medicated chick starter-grower feed, protection from predators, and a secure structure to sleep in at night. Depending on the age, you might have to have a heat lamp for a few weeks.

I hope I helped.

 

[1lpoock]

Mine are about 2 1/2 weeks old and they love to swim...I put the khakis and the cayugas in the tub and the khaki usually jump right out but the cayugas are the last to get out.

 

[hendrix25]

Quote:
Yes, mine LOVED to swim around when they were this age. But today when I filled the pool for them, all they did was stand on the outside and drink the water.

I even tried putting them in there and they jumped right out. They use to all pile in their water bowl, but not anymore. It was always a joy to watch them bath...and play. I'm glad I videoed it when they did like the water...

Mine would always play around for about 15-20 mins and then they would get tired.

 

[waibel zoo]

I had read they are more at home on land then the water and that they were one of the quietest. My kids always have a kiddie pool going in the summer months. I was just worried about wnter. I have a huge slug problem, and my chickens are more interested in the plants then the slugs. I also read these are very hardy and their eggs are tasty. Maybe I need to work on the hubby. Are they friendly?

 

[Duck Keeper]

Quote:
If you raise them closely with your family they'll get to be very tame.

And you know ducks will shoot poop out of their feathery butts the second they touche the water, right?
Don't expect to keep that kiddie pool for your kids any longer!

They get nasty FAST, but are easy enough to clean if you let most of the water out first (step on the edge wearing rubber boots), then lift one side to let the rest of the water out, then rinse and refill.
Kiddie pools are HEAVY, so if you can, have someone help you to empty it.

EDIT:

Mine lived outside with nothing but a dog house all through the winter months.

Very proud to say no mishaps.

And I'm talking way below zero too, with FEET of snow piled up. Had to dump snow off of their tarp (roof) every day... Frozen waterers were no fun either though. Grr.

 

[hendrix25]

Quote:
Friendly: mine are more skittish and have been since I got them. I really don't push holding them, bc I want them to be a little stand offish so they maintain a sense of caution. Now when I let them free range, they follow me everywhere and freak out if I leave them alone. They will approach me on their terms. They usually nibble at my shoes, toes and legs. So I know they are comfortable with me but don't want me to hold them. Anyways, they're not a "lap duck."

 

[waibel zoo]

Any other thoughts?

 

[hendrix25]

Yesterday when I came home I let the ducks out to free range. The kiddie was still full from the previous day, but I did't think anything about it because they didn't pay it attention the day before. Well to my surprise they decided to get water fever again...it was hilarious

to watch them. They actually went under water and were swimming. I videoed but was a little later and they really didn't swim when I was videoing them. But anyways, I was happy they got back in the water. I guess they just don't crave to be in the water as much as other ducks, which is okay because all I can provide them right now is a kiddie pool.

What else would you like to know. It seems to work better if you have specif questions. Sometimes just pulling random things from our heads is a bit harder than answering questions.