Call Duck – White Call Duck

Description

I do not think there are many people who will argue with this statement that at the present time the most popular breed of Poultry and Waterfowl are the Call Ducks.

During the last couple of decades they have captivated the imagination of the both the exhibitors and the general poultry keeper. The standard of perfection within the breed is at its highest level and competition amongst a whole range of colours is very high.

People who are new to keeping the these charming little birds could be excused for thinking that they are new into the country, but this is not so. The birds have been in these shores for several Centuries, during which time they were often referred to as being ‘Decoy Ducks’, taking this name for their ability to live in a confined area of water and call in other types of wild ducks, which were then caught in nets and often used in the catering trade.

These original birds are thought to have arrived here from Holland, which is where many of todays foundation stock birds have also originated. Their arrival in Holland was originally from the East Indies. At this period there were only two colours of Calls; pure White and the Mallard colour, which is usually called Grey. One of the main attractions to the Calls is purely to have the pleasure of enjoying their company in your garden or in their pond. They can be wonderful mothers but if you do not wish to hatch any young calls, and simply to keep them as decoration and pets then it opens up a different possibility by keeping a group of drakes with no females involved.

It is usual in most species of livestock for the male to be of a more decorative colouring and this is the case with Call ducks. Providing that there is not even a single female running in the pen with them, the males will live together in peace and harmony throughout the twelve months of the year; thus allowing you to admire their attractive and varied colourings without the problem of males arguing between themselves over the choice of a female.

Likewise in chickens the cockerels are the noisy ones and the pullets are quiet, in Call ducks the females are very vocal and were the ones the original trappers used to ‘call’ in the wild duck so they could net their catch. The male Call duck has a lovely sound; it’s like they have a sore throat with their very quiet quack, so they are perfect if you have neighbours who might be offended by noise.

Whatever your reasons for keeping Calls, the birds themselves are very adaptable to different types of surroundings and do not require elaborate housing or husbandry. A small area of water in something like an old sink or childrens sand pit, where they can splash about and enjoy a good playtime is their main requirement. Their diet can be poultry pellets, plus a little whole wheat and of course all the household scraps and surplus titbits.

If small children are involved in the keeping of Calls they have a great advantage over Poultry and Bantams, in that the beak on a Call is well rounded and therefore reduces the risk of a child being pecked, whilst giving their pet a little cuddle.

Calls offer a wide choice of colours to choose from, many of them having been introduced during recent years and are now getting fully standardised, whilst some of the most recent ones are still getting full approval from the governing body.

We normally have a good range of colours available.

Cost per Egg: £4

Cost per week old ducklings: £10

Cost per pair of Call ducks from £50