Very small Cayuga duck

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Reminds me more of my black runner.

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This is one of my Cayuga for comparison

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She does look similar to your black runner, though her stance isn't quite the same as a full runner's.

I'm sorry to say that that is not a Cayuga. A cross, maybe, but not pure. The white feathers are a sure indicator of this, as well as the conformation and look. I agree with @Quatie that this looks more like a Runner.

A lot of people assume that because it's black, then the duck must be a Cayuga.

View attachment 3246570

This is my purebred Cayuga drake. Yes, I know he's missing his tail curl, it got plucked during the Spring matings!

Yes, I can see a big difference. I did think Cayuga hens could develop white feathers, that's one of the things I like about them. But she looks nothing like your Cayuga in other respects either.

I wanted a Cayuga to crossbreed for the extended black gene and the colorful eggs. This girl may still be able to contribute those, but I'm wondering if I should let her breed with my drakes or if she's too small and it will hurt her. My drakes aren't huge (Welsh Harlequin, Harlequin cross, and Ancona) but I'm still concerned about it.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Yes, I can see a big difference. I did think Cayuga hens could develop white feathers, that's one of the things I like about them. But she looks nothing like your Cayuga in other respects either.

Yes, with age, not at five months though. Usually as a result of mating and having feathers plucked out. I had two pure ducks with my drake, all of them were hatched last year, and none had any white on them.

I wanted a Cayuga to crossbreed for the extended black gene and the colorful eggs. This girl may still be able to contribute those, but I'm wondering if I should let her breed with my drakes or if she's too small and it will hurt her. My drakes aren't huge (Welsh Harlequin, Harlequin cross, and Ancona) but I'm still concerned about it.

I would think she'd be fine with those, and the black gene would also be passed on. The egg colour might be a flip of the coin though, just like the cross-bred Easter Egger chickens. Depends which genes she got.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Yes, with age, not at five months though. Usually as a result of mating and having feathers plucked out. I had two pure ducks with my drake, all of them were hatched last year, and none had any white on them.



I would think she'd be fine with those, and the black gene would also be passed on. The egg colour might be a flip of the coin though, just like the cross-bred Easter Egger chickens. Depends which genes she got.

I'll just give her some time to adjust and then monitor how she does. If I have to, I'll find her a new home and get an actual Cayuga.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Yes, sorry, I meant to post a picture! Here she is next to my Khaki Campbell. She is fully feathered and has a loud quack, so 5 months is probably correct. She's definitely a LOT smaller than a pekin.

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Size wise she could be a cayuga. They are duel purpouse, meant for eggs and meat. Not being so heavy as a pekin helps them have less foot and leg issues.
As far as the comments about it looking like a runner duck, that depends on if she stands like that all the time or if that was just how she happened to be standing in the picture.

I'm sorry to say that that is not a Cayuga. A cross, maybe, but not pure. The white feathers are a sure indicator of this, as well as the conformation and look. I agree with @Quatie that this looks more like a Runner.

A lot of people assume that because it's black, then the duck must be a Cayuga.

View attachment 3246570

This is my purebred Cayuga drake. Yes, I know he's missing his tail curl, it got plucked during the Spring matings!

Not true. Female Cayugas get more and more white feathers as they age. This nearly all white girl is full cayuga.

 

[Sierra67]

I'm sorry to say that that is not a Cayuga. A cross, maybe, but not pure. The white feathers are a sure indicator of this, as well as the conformation and look. I agree with @Quatie that this looks more like a Runner.

A lot of people assume that because it's black, then the duck must be a Cayuga.

View attachment 3246570

This is my purebred Cayuga drake. Yes, I know he's missing his tail curl, it got plucked during the Spring matings!

I’m gonna have to disagree. All of My cayuga hens have some amount of white feathers. Cayugas are supposed to turn white as they age due to feather damage during mating and such. Your drake is beautiful and they don’t get white but hens do.

 

[Sierra67]

Size wise she could be a cayuga. They are duel purpouse, meant for eggs and meat. Not being so heavy as a pekin helps them have less foot and leg issues.
As far as the comments about it looking like a runner duck, that depends on if she stands like that all the time or if that was just how she happened to be standing in the picture.

Not true. Female Cayugas get more and more white feathers as they age. This nearly all white girl is full cayuga. View attachment 3246966

I love how her wings stand out against the white

 

[Miss Lydia]

Size wise she could be a cayuga. They are duel purpouse, meant for eggs and meat. Not being so heavy as a pekin helps them have less foot and leg issues.
As far as the comments about it looking like a runner duck, that depends on if she stands like that all the time or if that was just how she happened to be standing in the picture.

Not true. Female Cayugas get more and more white feathers as they age. This nearly all white girl is full cayuga. View attachment 3246966

She’s a beauty!