How to Raise Call Ducks
The Call duck is a European domestic duck breed related to the common Mallard duck. It was originally recognized as a breed in the late 1800s. Though Calls are used for mostly ornamental purposes, some hobbyists raise them for their large eggs.
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Instructions
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1
Set up your duck pen. You should allow four square feet of space per bird for your Call ducks to live comfortably. In warmer climates, an open lean-to with a large fenced yard is sufficient. Hobbyists raising Call ducks in colder climates should construct or buy a coop that is enclosed and insulated to provide shelter to the flock during the winter.
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2
Obtain the Call ducks. You may purchase ducklings or adult ducks. Call ducklings and adults may be purchased at your local feed or farm supply store, or from local breeders. In addition, ducklings can be bought from a national hatchery such as Murray McMurray Hatchery (800-456-3280) or Stromberg's Hatchery (218-587-2222). Prices for Call ducklings typically start at $4.
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3
Brood the Call ducks if you have purchased ducklings. If you obtained adolescent or adult Call ducks, skip to Step 4. Ducklings require heat to help keep them warm and to simulate the brooding of a mother duck. Suspend a 250-watt bulb and raise or lower its height until the ground-level temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Decrease the temperature weekly by five degrees until the lamp is no longer on.
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4
Provide water to your Call ducks. A chick waterer or shallow pain is sufficient for ducklings. Consider placing shiny marbles at the bottom of the waterer to attract the ducklings and encourage them to drink. Adolescent and adult Call ducks should be given a water trough that is deep enough for them to submerge the entire head.
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5
Feed the Call ducks. Call ducklings should be given an non-medicated starter feed intended for baby chickens. The feed should contain a 20 percent protein mixture. Feed the starter feed to your ducks for the first three weeks before transitioning to a duck or chicken grower feed containing 16 percent protein. Once they are adults, your ducks will also forage for bugs and vegetation in the pen. You may wish to supplement this diet with fresh produce scraps from your garden or kitchen, such as vegetable peels and fruit.
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Tips & Warnings
Contrary to popular belief, ducks do not need a pond or lake.
In general, hobbyists do not raise ducks with chickens and drier types of fowl because the wet environment that ducks create can sometimes pose a health risk to other birds.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Laura Morariu: sxc.hu
