The Ultimate Guide to Raising Call Ducks: From Hatchling to Happy Flock

Call ducks, with their adorable appearance and charmingly loud quacks, have captured the hearts of poultry enthusiasts worldwide. Their small size, coupled with their active and engaging personalities, makes them a delightful addition to any backyard or small farm. However, raising these pint-sized ducks requires careful planning and attention to detail. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of raising call ducks, from selecting your flock to ensuring their long-term health and happiness.

Why Choose Call Ducks?

Before diving into the specifics of raising call ducks, it’s essential to understand why they might be the right breed for you. Here are a few reasons why call ducks are so popular:

• Charming Appearance: Their compact bodies, upright stance, and round heads make them exceptionally cute.
• Active and Engaging: Call ducks are energetic and fun to watch, making them a great addition to any backyard.
• Excellent Pest Control: Like other ducks, they are great at foraging for insects, slugs, and snails.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: While they require care, they are generally easier to manage than larger duck breeds.
• Unique Quack: Their loud, high-pitched quack is distinct and, for some, endearing (though this can be a drawback for those concerned about noise).
• Egg Production (Limited): While not prolific egg layers, they do produce a modest amount of small, delicious eggs.
• Ideal for Small Spaces: Their small size makes them suitable for smaller backyards and urban settings.

However, it’s crucial to be aware of the downsides:

• Noise: Their loud quack can be a nuisance to neighbors if not managed.
• Broodiness: They are prone to going broody, which can disrupt egg production if not managed.
• Flying Ability (Limited): While they aren’t strong fliers, they can manage short flights, so proper enclosure is necessary.

Getting Started: Setting Up for Call Ducks

Before your call ducks arrive, you’ll need to have the following in place:

1. Choosing Your Ducks:

• Hatchlings, Ducklings, or Adults: You can start with day-old ducklings, older ducklings, or even adult ducks. Day-old ducklings require the most care and a brooder setup.
• Source: Buy from reputable breeders or hatcheries to ensure healthy, well-bred ducks. Local breeders can be great because you can often see the parent ducks and get direct advice.
• Number of Ducks: Start with at least two ducks as they are social animals. Three or four is even better, to avoid bullying. A ratio of one drake (male) to several hens is usually good, unless you don’t intend to breed them. If you don’t want to breed, all hens is a great choice.
• Consider Sexing: If buying ducklings, be aware that sexing can be unreliable at a very young age. If you do not want drakes, it is important to make arrangements for re-homing if necessary.

2. The Brooder (for Ducklings):

If you’re starting with ducklings, you’ll need a brooder setup:

• Container: Use a large plastic tub, a kiddie pool, or a purpose-built brooder. It should be easy to clean and have smooth, non-slippery sides. Avoid cardboard, as it can quickly become soiled and unsanitary.
• Heat Source: Provide heat using a heat lamp or a brooder plate. Start with a temperature of 90-95°F (32-35°C) under the heat source, gradually reducing it by 5°F (2.8°C) each week until they are fully feathered and the ambient temperature allows. Monitor duckling behavior – if they are piling on top of each other it’s too cold, if they are spread out and panting it’s too warm.
• Bedding: Use pine shavings, chopped straw, or paper towels (for very young ducklings). Avoid cedar shavings, as they are toxic to poultry. Change bedding frequently to keep it dry and clean.
• Food and Water: Provide chick starter feed (non-medicated) specifically formulated for waterfowl, as medicated chick feed can be harmful. Use shallow water containers like a chick waterer with pebbles or marbles to prevent ducklings from getting wet and cold or drowning. Change water multiple times a day and keep the water as clean as possible to avoid illnesses.
• Space: Ensure the brooder has enough space for the ducklings to move around and avoid overcrowding.

3. Housing (for Adults):

Adult call ducks need a safe and comfortable living space:

• Duck House or Coop: A small coop or shed is sufficient for call ducks. Ensure it is well-ventilated, predator-proof, and easy to clean. The coop will be for sleeping and egg laying.
• Bedding: Provide bedding such as straw, pine shavings, or hay inside the coop. Keep it clean and dry.
• Nesting Boxes: You will need a couple of nesting spots for the females to lay their eggs. These can be simple baskets or boxes lined with bedding.
• Outdoor Run: Call ducks thrive when given access to an outdoor run or yard. Ensure the area is enclosed with netting to prevent predators from accessing your ducks and the ducks from flying away. The run must be well-drained to avoid waterlogged conditions.
• Protection from Elements: Provide shade in the summer and shelter from wind and rain in the winter.

4. Fencing and Enclosure:

• Height: Since call ducks aren’t strong fliers but can manage short flights, a fence or netting at least 4ft tall should be enough to keep them contained. If they are routinely flying out, you may need to net over the top of the entire enclosure.
• Material: Chicken wire or poultry netting will work for the sides, and anti-bird netting is useful for the top. Ensure the mesh size is small enough to prevent predators like foxes and raccoons from getting through, and small enough to prevent ducklings from escaping.
• Bury the Fencing: Bury the fencing a few inches into the ground or add a buried skirt to prevent digging predators from getting under the fence.

5. Water Access:

• Drinking Water: Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Change it daily, if not twice daily. Use a container that is shallow enough to prevent drowning, but deep enough for them to dip their heads to clean their nostrils.
• Swimming Water (Optional but Recommended): A shallow pool, pond, or kiddie pool is great for call ducks, as they enjoy swimming and bathing. Clean the water regularly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. If it becomes muddy and unpleasant you can remove it until it has rained and the ground is refreshed.

Daily Care for Call Ducks

Once your ducks are settled in, daily care is crucial for their health and happiness:

1. Feeding:

• Duck Feed: Feed adult call ducks a high-quality waterfowl feed. If you are raising ducklings, use a starter feed designed for waterfowl. Avoid chicken feed as it doesn’t have the correct balance of nutrients.
• Supplementation: Provide supplemental treats like mealworms, leafy greens, and peas in moderation. They also enjoy foraging for insects in the yard.
• Grit: Offer grit to aid in digestion. Free choice oyster shell should be made available for hens, for good shell formation.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed adult ducks once or twice a day, and leave food out for ducklings all day. Make sure they have access to food and water at all times.

2. Water Maintenance:

• Clean Water: Change drinking water daily or more frequently.
• Swimming Water: If you provide a pool, clean it regularly to prevent algae and bacteria growth.

3. Coop and Run Maintenance:

• Cleanliness: Clean the coop regularly, removing soiled bedding and droppings.
• Dryness: Ensure that both the coop and the run are kept as dry as possible.

4. Health Monitoring:

• Daily Observation: Observe your ducks daily for any signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior. Watch for feather quality, breathing problems and any unusual discharge from eyes or nose.
• Quarantine: Isolate any sick birds immediately and seek veterinary advice.
• Parasite Control: Watch for signs of parasites, such as mites or lice, and treat promptly with poultry-safe remedies.

5. Social Needs:

• Interaction: While not overly affectionate, call ducks enjoy watching people and interacting with each other.
• Space: Provide enough space for them to roam, swim, and socialize.

Breeding Call Ducks

If you choose to breed call ducks, here are the key considerations:

• Age: Allow ducks to mature fully before breeding (usually around 6 months of age for hens, 8 months for drakes).
• Ratio: Maintain a drake-to-hen ratio of around 1:3 or 1:4 to ensure the hens aren’t over-mated and the eggs are fertile.
• Nesting: Provide nesting boxes or areas lined with straw or hay to encourage laying.
• Incubation: Call ducks are prone to broodiness. If a hen goes broody, you can allow her to hatch her own eggs, or incubate the eggs using an incubator. Natural incubation can be a beautiful experience but it can also be unreliable and unpredictable.
• Duckling Care: When ducklings hatch, care for them in a brooder as described above.

Managing Noise

One of the biggest challenges of keeping call ducks is their vocal nature. Here are some ways to mitigate the noise:

• Spacious Enclosure: A larger area can help reduce the need for ducks to call out to each other.
• Social Harmony: A well-balanced social group with plenty of hens and not too many drakes, can help reduce squabbling.
• Visual Barriers: Sometimes if ducks cannot see each other, they call less.
• Deep Litter: A deep litter method can provide some sound insulation and keep the environment cleaner and more comfortable.
• Nighttime Routine: If you establish a predictable nighttime routine, the ducks will settle down.

Health Issues in Call Ducks

Like all poultry, call ducks are susceptible to certain health issues. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Avian Influenza: Maintain strict biosecurity and be aware of the local outbreak situation.
• Duck Viral Hepatitis: Vaccinate ducklings if required.
• Aspergillosis: This fungal respiratory infection can be prevented by keeping the bedding dry and the environment clean.
• Botulism: Keep water clean and avoid contaminated sources.
• Pest Issues: Watch for mites, lice and internal parasites. Treat when necessary.
• Wound and Injury: Check regularly for wounds and injuries. Treat minor wounds and seek vet advice when necessary.

Enjoying Your Call Ducks

Raising call ducks can be a rewarding experience. Enjoy watching their antics, collecting their eggs, and appreciate their role in your backyard ecosystem. Remember that good husbandry and care will ensure that your call ducks are happy and healthy, and that you will enjoy them for many years to come.

Conclusion

Raising call ducks is a wonderful endeavor for those who are ready for the commitment. By following this detailed guide, you can provide your call ducks with everything they need to thrive. From setting up a proper brooder and coop to daily care and breeding, with careful planning and attention, you can enjoy the delightful companionship of call ducks for many years to come.