Adult Call Ducks
Call Ducks are in high demand lately being one of the most sought-after of duck breeds for duck enthusiasts today. They are very small and very cute in appearance, and their size and cuteness make them perfect matches for small farms, small ponds, and backyard hobbyists.
Call Ducks were originally developed and bred for hunting purposes, specifically as living 'duck decoys' working with hunters to hunt wild ducks. Now, however, Call Ducks are mostly raised as pets and barnyard companions. They are the very smallest of all the duck breeds. They have big round cheeks, with great big dark eyes, and stout little bills which make them look like adorable toys. Their personality adds to this sweetness - they are active, playful, friendly, and truly - sweet!
Call Ducks are very hardy, but care must be given to protect them from predators, and due to their very tiny size, Call Ducklings will need extra care to ensure their warmth and safety.
Production: Call Ducks are mostly kept for their beauty and as pets. They do lay eggs, which are white or lightly tinted, but the eggs are small and not especially plentiful. They are in high demand as pets though so starting a breeding program could be an additional income stream for a small farm business.
Temperament: Call Ducks are friendly, very tame, and great with children. They are active and animated and can provide hours of entertainment. One thing to note is that although these are small ducks, their call is very loud; female Call Ducks could disturb neighbors. If frightened, Call Ducks can and will fly and can fly quite a distance.
History: Call Ducks were developed in the middle of the nineteenth century in England from old lines of Dutch aCoy or Decoy Ducks. They were specifically bred for their small size so they could escape funnel traps. The Call Ducks would first lure wild ducks into the trap, but then they would be able to swim through the exit hole in the funnel trap and escape, leaving the larger wild ducks inside. They were also specifically bred for their call, which is very high pitched and carries over long distances, which is also designed to lure wild ducks to the hunters. Originally Call Duck traditional lines were hard-working birds, and they had an important purpose and use for people. However as time went on, hunted became less and less imperative to humans, and Call Ducks became rare by the middle of the twentieth century. Now interest is blossoming for the breed for its own sake, and Call Ducks are becoming very popular for showing and exhibition, on farms, and in aviary collections.
Colors: These are hatchery choice colors but could be white, penciled, snowy, or gray.
Body Type: Call ducks are basically bantam-sized and compact ducks. They have stout look about them, which is accentuated by their short legs and wide, short bills. Their head and body shapes are round and stout and they have chubby rounded cheeks, wide heads, and short necks. Females have a slightly shorter bill and a pretty, more female, look to the face and head.
Weight: Males 22 ounces, females 18 ounces
APA Class: Call Ducks are in the Bantam Duck Class and were admitted in 1874. Gray (1874), White (1874), Snowy (1982), Pastel (1996), Butterscotch (2004), and Chocolate (2007); other color variations are currently unrecognized by the APA.
