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Saxony Ducks |
Saxony Ducks Wisconsin
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Saxony Ducks Wisconsin |
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The Saxony duck was developed in
Germany by Albert Franz of Chemitz. He began his breeding program to
develop a new multipurpose duck in 1930. He used the Rouen, German Pekin,
and Blue Pomeranian ducks in his program. He introduced this new
creation at the Saxony show in 1934. Only a few Saxony ducks survived
World War II, so Franz renewed his breeding program after the war and in
1957 Germany recognized this duck as a distinct breed. Saxony ducks
made their way to the United States when the Holderread Waterfowl Farm
imported them in 1984. They were admitted into the APA's Standard of
Perfection in the Fall of 2000. The Saxony weighs between 6-8 pounds
at maturity. Its large head is somewhat oval shaped and blends smoothly with
a medium-thick neck that is slightly arched forward. The compact body is
long, broad across the shoulders, and has a prominent smoothly rounded
chest.. The carriage is 10-20 degrees above horizontal when relaxed.
Drakes display the typical Mallard pattern, but their colors are distinct
from any other breed. The drake's head, back, and wing markings are
blue-gray. The breast feathers are a rich chestnut-burgundy, the underbody
and flanks are cream, and the neck ring white. Legs and feet are orange to
reddish-brown and the bill is yellow or orange, often with pale green
shading. The females are buff with creamy white facial stripes, neck ring,
and underbody. The bill is orange, often with brown shading. The legs and
feet are orange to reddish-orange. The Saxony is an active forager and
excellent layer with typical egg production at about 190-240 large white
eggs annually. Saxony do not grow quite as fast as the more common meat
ducks, "but they have interesting plumage, produce meat with more flavor and
less fat, are better foragers, and are more likely to incubate and hatch
their eggs. Saxony's are a large all-purpose breed and adapt well to a
wide range of environments. The ALBC 2000 census of domestic waterfowl
in North America found only four people with 57 breeding Saxony. There
is a critical need for more conservation breeders of Saxony. Their excellent
laying ability, meaty carcasses, and lovely plumage make them a great
addition to any small farmstead or backyard producer's flock.
We acquired 2 trios of breeder Saxony ducks this spring and are setting eggs from them now. We also have purchased eggs from other breeders around the country with hope of getting as wide a gene pool as possible given the relative newness of this breed in the US and the fact that most of the breeding stock in the nation are out of the Holderread's breeding stock. We have eggs in the incubator now and will be breeding and hatching these ducks this year in a limited quantity with hopes of being able to sell some stock to other hobbyists and breeders in 2009. |
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