Trying to figure out duck breed..

[FAFOfarm]

My sweet ducks were purchased last spring from the Cayuga duck bin at a local Tractor Supply.

I know that ducks can be pet quality etc. But I have a feeling my male is not full Cayuga. I mean, maybe? These are my first ducks! I am hatching there ducklings are black, black footed (so far), and black billed, and all of them have bright yellow chests. I also didn't think they got white feathers at just a year old. My handsome drake has always had white feathers, as well as one of my females.

Do you have any ideas of what they might be mixed with? Or would you consider this pet quality and show quality are the typical jet black? They are quite shiny and iridescent in the sunlight. My drakes head is VERY green, with a muted dark gray body feather, but still with greens and purples like Cayuga. Pictures don't do them justice.

Thank you!

 

[Jenbirdee]

The ducklings with bright yellow chests indicates there could be a mix of something in there, you’re right.

 

[KathiQuacks]

I don’t know, they look like Cayugas to me. TSC doesn’t sell mixed ducklings, at least not that I know of. Not standard to have white patches so early, but it is normal for Cayugas to turn white over time.

 

[FAFOfarm]

The ducklings with bright yellow chests indicates there could be a mix of something in there, you’re right.

Some are very yellow in the chest and some are not. Who knows!

 

[FAFOfarm]

I don’t know, they look like Cayugas to me. TSC doesn’t sell mixed ducklings, at least not that I know of. Not standard to have white patches so early, but it is normal for Cayugas to turn white over time.

They don't! That is why I was a little confused. I was wondering if someone fell through the cracks and their was an accidental breeding. Who knows! My drake is the sweetest either way I'm happy duck owner.

 

[BlueO]

Do you have a picture of the ducklings? Looks like Cayuga but they shouldn’t have white feathers that early. Could have some black Swedish in them.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I have a Drake he hatched under one of my chickens last summer. He has just a little bit of white on his chest. His father was a fawn and white runner, mother a Cayuga

 

[Jenbirdee]

Here he is, Mr Pickles

 

[Jenbirdee]

Mr Pickles again. Just because he’s so gorgeous and such a good boy.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

My sweet ducks were purchased last spring from the Cayuga duck bin at a local Tractor Supply.

I know that ducks can be pet quality etc. But I have a feeling my male is not full Cayuga. I mean, maybe? These are my first ducks! I am hatching there ducklings are black, black footed (so far), and black billed, and all of them have bright yellow chests. I also didn't think they got white feathers at just a year old. My handsome drake has always had white feathers, as well as one of my females.

Do you have any ideas of what they might be mixed with? Or would you consider this pet quality and show quality are the typical jet black? They are quite shiny and iridescent in the sunlight. My drakes head is VERY green, with a muted dark gray body feather, but still with greens and purples like Cayuga. Pictures don't do them justice.

Thank you!

I am wondering if your drake is a Golden 300. I think 300 refers to a 3 way cross. I think they cross a Silver Appleyard and a Cayuga. Then they take the female offspring a cross them to a Khaki drake. This makes them sex-linked. Some of the drakes from this cross look like Cayugas but with white chests. I found this post which seems to fit with this but for some reason it won’t let me post the link. Here it is if you want to copy and paste: https://nancytanner.com/2019/10/25/we-have-green/