Duck Breeds
![Photo Source: Wikipedia.org](http://www.globalgrange.world/uploads/208373GoldenCascadeDucks.jpg) |
Photo Source: Wikipedia.org |
The Golden Cascade is a breed of domestic duck that was developed in the United States. It was created by David Holderread in 1979 with the aim of creating a breed that was fast-growing, active, a good layer, and capable of auto-sexing. By the mid-1980s, the breed was introduced to the market. However, it is not yet recognized by the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection.
The breed was named for its golden brown color and the prominent Cascade Range in the northwest. The Golden Cascade weighs between 6-8 pounds (2.7-3.6 kilograms). Female ducks have fawn or buff-colored plumage and orange beaks with brown markings, while male ducks have yellow beaks, satin green or bronze heads, a white ring around their necks, reddish breasts, and white underbodies. The throat may turn light fawn with age. Older drakes may molt to a fawn or buff that covers the head and body, but first-year birds should have a chestnut chest with golden buff to white shoulders, sides, and belly. The ducklings can be bred to be auto-sexing as they carry the brown sex-linked gene.