Duck Breed Focus - Call Ducks

[sumi]

The Call Duck is a breed of ducks thought to have been developed in Asia, before being exported to Holland, from where it was exported further. In 1865 it was one of 4 ducks breeds in the British Waterfowl Standard, where it was standardised in Mallard and White varieties. The current British Waterfowl Standard has no less than 17 colour varieties! raised primarily for decoration or as pets. Call ducks look similar to some other duck breeds, but are smaller in size. Call ducks were initially used in hunting, where their own calls and quacks would attract wild ducks towards the hunter's guns. For this reason they were also known as "decoy ducks" This practice has almost entirely been replaced with artificial duck calls nowadays, with Call ducks now being kept primarily as pets or for ornamental purposes. They are a popular breed for children, because of their even temperaments and can be easily tamed. They are very talkative though and can fly very well, which should be taken into consideration.

Details:

Purpose: Ornamental
Egg laying: 50-150 per year
Weight: Drake 1.3lb - 1.5lb; Duck 1.1lb - 1.3lb
Breed Colours: ABA APA accepted: White, Gray, Butterscotch, Blue Fawn, Pastel, Snowy, Khaki (ABA), Black and White Magpie, Buff, Blue Bibbed, Chocolate, Aztec Blue.
And Non Standard Varieties: Gray Pied, Blue Fawn Pied, Pastel Pied, Fawn and White, Penciled, Aluetian, Chocolate Bibbed, Black, Black Bibbed, Blue, Crested (all Varieties), Silkied ( All Varieties), Blue Snowy, Apricot Silver.


Pic by @michellemcfeely


Pic by @racuda


Pic by @Bleenie


Pic by @Bleenie


Pic by @duckluck


BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/call-duck

Breed Discussion Threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/292411/da-cute-and-cuddly-call-duck-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/760871/call-ducks-finally-hatched/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/678536/call-duck-thread-for-posting-pics-and-discussing/0_30


Do you own Call Ducks? Are you a Call Duck breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

 

[Ameraucanas]

I love Call ducks! They are so cute! Are they good mothers?

 

[michellemcfeely]

Thank you, those were my first after 20 years of not having them.

 

[michellemcfeely]

Great description of the calls.

 

[chippysmom327]

I never really had any desire to get ducks, I thought they were big, oafy, and messy. Last spring at a swap, one of my friends bought a white drake. After that, she found a white pair and knew that 2 boys and one gorl wouldn't work. She said I could have him if I wanted so I checked him out. He was sooo cute, I couldn't resist. I bought him, and swung by walmart after to buy him a kiddie pool.

I quickly fell in love, and immediately knew I NEEDED more call ducks. 7 ducks later, and I'm starting a new divided coop to separate and work on breeding different colors.

My favorite characteristics are their short little bills and chubby round cheeks.

 

[buff goose guy]

Aztec blue is an accepted color for the Apa ,
And I just got call ducks this year and they have been awesome I highly recommend them

 

[Amykins]

What made me get mine were logistical, really: I needed a small duck, may as well get the cutest one possible. I wouldn't give mine up for the whole wide world. <3

 

[N F C]

I never really had any desire to get ducks, I thought they were big, oafy, and messy. Last spring at a swap, one of my friends bought a white drake. After that, she found a white pair and knew that 2 boys and one gorl wouldn't work. She said I could have him if I wanted so I checked him out. He was sooo cute, I couldn't resist. I bought him, and swung by walmart after to buy him a kiddie pool.

I quickly fell in love, and immediately knew I NEEDED more call ducks. 7 ducks later, and I'm starting a new divided coop to separate and work on breeding different colors.

My favorite characteristics are their short little bills and chubby round cheeks.

Those are some cute little ducks! They almost look like stuffed toy ducks (I mean that as a compliment)

 

[sumi]

Aztec blue is an accepted color for the Apa ,

And I just got call ducks this year and they have been awesome I highly recommend them

Thanks! Edited.

 

[chippysmom327]

I never really had any desire to get ducks, I thought they were big, oafy, and messy. Last spring at a swap, one of my friends bought a white drake. After that, she found a white pair and knew that 2 boys and one gorl wouldn't work. She said I could have him if I wanted so I checked him out. He was sooo cute, I couldn't resist. I bought him, and swung by walmart after to buy him a kiddie pool. I quickly fell in love, and immediately knew I NEEDED more call ducks. 7 ducks later, and I'm starting a new divided coop to separate and work on breeding different colors. My favorite characteristics are their short little bills and chubby round cheeks.

Those are some cute little ducks! They almost look like stuffed toy ducks (I mean that as a compliment)

Everyone always says that to me, and I definitely take it as a compliment! Thank you!