About Us
Building Strong Duck Genetics. Supporting Ethical Farmers.
Who we are:
USA Duck Team was founded in 2020 to build a resilient regional food system around heritage-breed waterfowl. We work with a coalition of farmers with disabilities across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana — connecting them with quality breeding stock, hatchery training, and markets for ducklings, duck eggs, and duck meat. Our NPIP-certified headquarters flock in Kansas City, KS anchors the Dempsey Plus Lemonade genetic line, which has placed at national and state poultry shows. Our network is funded in part by a North Central SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant (FNC25-1484).
EGG Laying:
Cayuga ducks are exceptional cold-weather layers, producing 150 to 250 large eggs per season. Eggs start the season nearly black and lighten to gray and white as the season progresses — making them one of the most visually striking eggs available from any domestic breed. Our egg laying trials, funded by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, identified Cayuga as the top performer for our climate. Cayuga ducks shine an intense green during low light winter months, and egg laying is all about making babies – so Cayuga hens love the looks of their Cayuga boys in winter and lay better than other breeds in the cold.
Meat production:
Cayuga duck meat tastes closer to beef than chicken, making it an excellent substitution for people with dietary restrictions and a sustainable alternative to Cornish Cross chickens. Our network processes duck meat under the USDA small grower exemption and also through a USDA Inspected Processor. We are developing value-added products including duck jerky, confit, and preserved eggs. Heritage breed ducks are also resistant to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu strains currently devastating the commercial poultry industry.
Exhibition and Showing:
Our birds compete under American Poultry Association breed standards. Austin Noah, a USA Duck Team network member, won a Junior National Chamption title with our Cayuga (Romeo and Juliet) and Our Lead Drake, Mr. Lemonade won best Old drake at the 2024 APA Annual National. One of our hens, Thing 1, has won best Old Hen at the Missouri State Fair. We won Best Medium in 2025 at the Ozark Empire Fair with Mr. Lemonade and he and Sprite both won Best Medium at the Missouri Illinois State Poultry Association Championships on two different cards.
