Difference between revisions of "Saxony"

Revision as of 07:36, 11 August 2013

Albert Franz began creating a new multi-purpose duck in 1930, by using the Rouen, German Pekin and Blue Pommern Ducks in his breeding program. By 1934 he had it all fairly well down pat, but by the end of World War II few Saxonys remained so he renewed his breeding program.

The Saxony Duck became an official recognised breed in Germany for the first time in 1957. Later, in 1984, it was officially introduced to the United States. Not long after that it came to Australia.

PERMISSION IS CURRENTLY BEING SOUGHT FOR FREE USE OF SAXONY PHOTOS FOR THIS PUBLIC PAGE (DUCK, DRAKE, DUCKLING)... IF YOU HAVE A GOOD QUALITY PHOTO OF A SAXONY, AND YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE BYP POULTRY FORUM, PLEASE PM Chicken07.

Classification: Heavy breed

Origin: Germany

Colours: Saxonys come in one colour - see the Exhibition details below

Eggs: are large pearl-white. Overseas Saxonys are prolific egg layers yet Australian standard size Saxonys are not as prolific. Saxonys (especially standard size) may not be overly common in Australia for that reason.

Bantams ducks, on the other hand, are much better & more prolific layers. For this reason bantams of this breed are slowly becoming more popular than the large variety.

Comments: A general purpose breed of duck yet mostly known as exhibition birds. They do not grow as fast as some other breeds and are inclined to change colouring several times before they reach their prime adult plumage & colour. I would not recommend them as a beginners breed as in Australia they are reasonably difficult to obtain, especially the large variety. I recommend always making the extra effort to obtain birds that are as close to true breed characteristics as possible.

Selecting Birds: A lot of Saxonys are undersize, so it would be in your best interests to consider heavily muscled birds of good size in breeding. Also select birds with rich clearly defined correct colouring as well as being moderately large, keel-less and solidly built. They are the main things to look for/select in breeders and show birds.

Breeding: They are the best layer among the large breed ducks, as well as being an active forager, so it is important to use breeders that are strong legged, active, robust and good layers of large eggs. Breeding Saxony Ducks is very interesting as well as a fair challenge and very rewarding once you have your bird/s as close to the true breed as possible that you're proud of.

Saxonys should have very beautiful soft rich colouring that is clearly defined. They are prone to discolour or fade under long exposure to the sun. Your birds will then have a washed out look, so shade is necessary to avoid this in exhibition birds.

Feeding: Usually Saxonys are active foragers, so ideally would not need as much feeding as Muscovies. On the other hand, as I have mentioned above, a lot of Saxonys are undersize, so that needs to be taken into account for breeding and feeding.

Availability: Standard size Saxony ducks are not a very popular duck overall, however bantams are on the increase as they become more recognised and popular. They are reasonably priced due to them being an attractive non-popular duck. Good show specimens of good characteristics are a fair price.

Exhibition:

CHARACTERISTICS

CARRIAGE - Strong, with a broad body and no trace of a keel. TYPE - Long and stocky, with a long broad back that is slightly sloping to the rear. The breast is to be broad and deep with no sign of a keel. Wings need to be neatly lying into the sides and not too long. Tail is long and carried closed. HEAD - Long and flat, with the bill of moderate length and width. NECK - Average length and not thin. LEGS AND FEET - Average length and set almost midway in the body. PLUMAGE - Lies close into the body and soft/light under feathering. AVOID - Broken neck ring in drake, pale eyes, upright Walk, slipped wings, coloured nostrils, dark underfeathering, brown head on drake, white bib, any deformity.

COLOURS: Duck & Drake: Eyes: Brown. Legs & Webs: Dark yellow.

Drake: Head and Neck: Blue as far down to the white ring. Lower part of neck, shoulders and breast need to be a rust red colour, with slight silver lacing on the breast. Back and Rump: Blue-grey. Tail feathers and wings: Oatmeal with blue wing bars. Bill is either plain yellow or with pale green shading.

Duck: Head neck and Breast: Buff with a white eye line. There is a suggestion of a light broken neck ring. Back and lower breast: Paler buff. Wings: Cream. Wing Bars and Tail: A light shade of blue. Bill is either plain yellow or with brownish shading.

WEIGHTS

FOWLS

Drake: 3.2kg to 3.6kg

Duck: 2.7kg to 3.2kg

BANTAMS

Drake: not officially recognised in Australian Standards Edition 1

Duck: not officially recognised in Australian Standards Edition 1

Internet sources

poultry1's Breed Profile on BYP Forum - [1]

poultry1 acknowledges the following internet sources

http://feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Sax/BRKSax.html

http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/saxony.html

http://www.ashtonwaterfowl.net/heavy_ducks.htm