Call ducks are adorably petite and are primarily raised these days as pets and ornamentation. They are friendly, highly talkative, and were originally bred specifically for their call.
Call Duck Origins and Uses
Call ducks are descendants of the Mallard duck. It’s unknown where the Call ducks were first found, but the first recorded mention of them is in the Netherlands, where it is believed they came from Asia first. In the 19th century, hunters in Great Britain bred the minute ducks from duck lines that originated in the Netherlands.
In the Wild
Call ducks are domesticated and are mainly raised now as pets. While they can be free-range, their very small size makes them susceptible to predators as easy targets. It’s best to keep them close to home.
Domestication
This breed is ideal for domestication. Call ducks are naturally sociable, tame, easy-natured, and are well-suited for children. Their small size makes them a perfect option as a pet. Just beware that they are noisy and loud. If you have neighbors close by who will be bothered by their calls, or live in an urban area, these ducks may not be suited for you.
Historical and Modern Uses
Call ducks were originally bred by hunters and used to lure and trap wild ducks. The Call ducks’ call is loud and high-pitched and was perfect for baiting ducks to the hunters’ traps. Hunters would secure the small Call ducks at the opening of the traps. Once they had baited the larger ducks into the traps, the hunters would let the Call ducks free.
These days, artificial duck calls are used for hunting instead, and many areas have banned using Call ducks as decoys. Call ducks are now raised primarily as pets and as a hobby. Many people like to keep these ducks due to their small size and cuteness.
Taste of their Meat
Call ducks are tiny – they weigh under a pound on average. There isn’t much meat on them to eat, and they aren’t raised for food.
Physical Characteristics of Call Ducks
Call ducks are known to be small, almost toy-like, with their petite body and short beak. They are a Bantam breed, which is a smaller version of larger birds.
Weight
The drakes weigh between 19 to 26 ounces, while the hens are a little smaller at 15 – 20 ounces.
Coloring
Black or white Call ducks are the most common, but you can find them in a range of colors and feather patterns, including gray, silver, blue, apricot, bibbed, magpie, and pied. Breeders are focusing on producing more of the unique feather colors. Their eyes are little beads of black or dark brown.
The yellow-bellied Calls strongly resemble the Mallard. The male ducks have green or brown bills, black heads, and necks with green coloring and a white collar around their neck. Their backs are gray and green and their breasts have a red hue that lightens to a pink. The females have more red and pink coloring on their necks, with dark orange and brown bills and pale pink breast and underbody.
Apricot Silvers are a beautiful and popular colored Call that resulted from breeding other varieties. They have a distinct white color that circles their neck. The male ducks’ head and upper neck are a blue-gray color and they have green bills. The feathers on their breasts are red-tipped with white which becomes more white on their lower body. Their backs are white with pale bluish-gray.
The female Apricot Silver’s head and neck are a lighter brown and cream, with pale orange and light brown bill. Their backs are covered with white feathers that are tipped with light gray and brown. Apricot-colored upper breasts and white underbodies are characteristics of the female Apricot Silver Call duck.
Comparison to Other Duck Breeds
Aside from their distinct petiteness – they are the smallest of the domesticated ducks – the Call duck’s personality is unique for fowl. They are sweet and friendly and enjoy social interactions. Compared to other temperamental and moody birds, this breed can truly be called a pet.
Call ducks are also louder than other breeds. Their high-pitched calls may or may not add to their cuteness.
Do Call Ducks Fly?
Call ducks, unlike other breeds of fowl, can fly and they fly well. They will take flight if they feel threatened or scared, so you may want to consider a roofed enclosure for them. For the most part, these ducks prefer to stay close to home and are usually not at risk of flying away to escape home.
If your ducks are free-range, train them to return home each night. While other breeds may not wander far, the Call ducks’ ability to fly gives them much more mobility and a range of distance they can travel.
Call Duck Lifespan
Depending on their environment, Call ducks can live for up to ten years. Though that’s not as long as some other fowl, it has one of the longest life expectancies of domesticated ducks. The larger ducks usually don’t live as long as the smaller Bantam ducks such as the Calls.
Influencing Factors of their Lifespan
As with all breeds and animals, their environment plays a role in their lifespan. Call ducks don’t require much. They need a basic shelter to shield them from the elements, access to water or a pond to cool themselves off in the heat, and food.
Because these small ducks are vulnerable to predator animals, a proper enclosure is crucial to keeping them safe. Young ducks are more susceptible to the elements and an enclosed shelter to protect them from snow, sun, and storms is important. Older ducks have a nice layer of fat to keep them warm in the cold weather and they do well in hot weather too as long as they have access to water to drink and swim in.
If you’re using wood shavings for the ducks’ bedding in the shelter, ensure that they aren’t made of toxic material. Ammonia build-up and fungus can be damaging to the ducks’ lungs and make them ill.
Call Duck Diet
Free-range ducks can find slugs, worms, insects, and grass to eat. The natural greenery in their diet will make their feathers brighter and glossier. However, since Call ducks are vulnerable to predators such as foxes and large birds, most are kept contained and will need to be fed.
Adult Ducks
Adult ducks’ dietary needs are basic: whole wheat and a chicken layer or duck pellets with vitamins and niacin. In the winter, when the ducks don’t lay as many eggs, small pieces of wheat will suit them well. In the spring, when they are getting ready to lay their eggs, feed them a breeder duck pellet with vitamins. You can also give them small pieces of poultry grit with limestone chips for additional calcium and to help their gizzards break down the food.
Ducks love fruit and leafy greens such as kale, swiss chard, cucumbers, and peas. Cut them into very small pieces and place them in water for them to eat and digest better. Because the ducks don’t chew their food, it’s crucial to make sure the pieces are small enough for them to easily swallow.
Make sure your ducks have access to water, both for drinking and for bathing. It’s critical for them to bathe in order to prevent wet-feather disease and to keep mites and insects away. Due to their small size, it’s best to pour the water into shallow vessels.
Ducklings
Baby ducks have more specific dietary needs. Starter feed that’s formulated for ducks is the best option with the occasional mealworm treat. Some fruit that the ducklings can eat includes tomato flesh, mashed pears and bananas, berries, and peach flesh.
How Often to Feed
Ducks digest their food quickly and need to eat often. Young ducklings can eat three times a day at least, but you can leave the food accessible to them all day so they can eat at will. They won’t overeat. Adult ducks can eat twice a day.
Call Duck Breeding and Egg Production
Call ducks aren’t prolific egg-layers and the eggs they lay are small. Their eggs take between 26-27 days to hatch.
Mating
The ducks’ mating season is in the spring, typically from April through October. The ducks can start mating when they are under a year old. The ducks do not mate for life and will find new partners each spring.
When Do They Start Laying Eggs?
Call ducks can start laying eggs when they are 25 to 30 weeks old.
How Often Do They Lay Eggs?
They will lay eggs throughout the year, but not as many or as often as other breeds.
How Many Eggs Do They Lay?
Call ducks’ egg output varies. If a Call duck lays 100 eggs a year, that is extraordinary. Most of them lay only several eggs a year, up to thirty, and some of them will never lay any eggs at all.
What Do Their Eggs Look Like?
Call duck eggs are very small and are an off-white to pale blue or green color. Despite their small size, they can be eaten and taste like other duck eggs.
Brooding
They can be broody on occasion but are generally good-natured ducks.
Behavior
Call ducks are generally friendly, sociable, animated ducks, and quite clean. They are a good fit for children who love their cuteness and small size, which fits right into their palms.
They do have a loud and high-pitched call, hence their name, and are quite vocal.
Keeping Call Ducks as Pets
Call ducks are adorable and well-behaved and make perfect backyard pets. However, they are noisy and vocal and may not be suitable if you live in an urban area or have neighbors who will be disturbed by their noise.
Call Ducks Cost
Call ducks are low-maintenance and don’t require specialized care. They need a basic shelter, water, and food. Their food pellets do not have to be expensive.
Noteworthy Facts About Call Ducks
- They were used as a decoy for duck hunting.
- Comes from the Dutch Word \’kooi\’ meaning trap.
Info Table
| Purpose | Hobby, pets, ornamental |
| Country of Origin | Netherlands or Asia |
| Breed Class | Bantam |
| Weight – Drake | 22 ounces |
| Weight – Hen | 18 ounces |
| Eggs per Year | 0 – 100 |
| Egg Size | Small |
| Egg Production Age | 25 weeks – 8 years |
| Diet | Whole wheat, duck pellets, fruit, leafy vegetables, slugs, insects |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Flying Ability | yes |
| Personality | Friendly, tame, talkative |
| Distinguishing Features | Small size, short bill, white collar around neck |
| Varieties | Black, white, gray, silver, blue, apricot, bibbed, magpie, and pied |
| Cost | $75 – $150 for a pair |