Call Ducks

Call Ducks hold a special place in the hearts of backyard waterfowl enthusiasts, and once you spend time with these tiny, charismatic birds, you will understand why they have such a devoted following. Originally developed in the Netherlands centuries ago as living decoys for hunters, Call Ducks would vocalize loudly to attract wild ducks into shooting range. Today, their hunting days are long behind them, and these bantam beauties are kept almost exclusively as pets, exhibition birds, and delightful backyard companions who bring personality far exceeding their small size.

What makes Call Ducks so appealing goes beyond their compact stature. These are ducks that genuinely seem to enjoy human company, often following their keepers around the yard and greeting them with enthusiastic quacking whenever they appear. Their round, apple-shaped heads with short bills give them an almost cartoonish cuteness that makes them irresistible to children and adults alike. Available in dozens of color varieties from classic white to striking butterscotch and dramatic black bibbed patterns, Call Ducks offer something for every aesthetic preference while maintaining the friendly temperament the breed is known for.

Understanding what you are getting into before bringing Call Ducks home matters tremendously because these birds come with some unique characteristics that may or may not suit your situation. The same vocal abilities that made them effective decoys mean Call Ducks are loud, particularly the females who can produce quacks that carry impressive distances. If you have close neighbors or noise restrictions, this is something you absolutely need to consider honestly before falling in love with these birds at a poultry show and bringing them home. Their small size also means they face greater predator vulnerability than larger duck breeds, requiring more secure housing arrangements.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to successfully keep Call Ducks happy and healthy in your backyard. You will learn about their specific housing needs, daily care requirements, health concerns to watch for, and the seasonal adjustments that help them thrive year-round. Whether you are considering your first pair of Call Ducks or looking to improve your care for birds you already own, the practical information ahead comes from real experience raising these wonderful little ducks through all seasons and situations.

Housing Call Ducks requires thinking through both security and comfort, with predator protection being your absolute top priority given these birds are small enough to be targeted by hawks, owls, raccoons, foxes, and even large snakes. Your duck house needs to be completely enclosed with hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, since chicken wire keeps ducks in but does not keep determined predators out. The mesh size should be half-inch or smaller because weasels and mink can squeeze through anything larger, and these small predators find bantam ducks particularly attractive targets. Every potential entry point needs attention, including the floor, which should either be solid or covered with hardware cloth buried several inches into the ground to prevent digging predators from tunneling underneath.

Space requirements for Call Ducks are more modest than for standard breeds, but you still need to provide adequate room for these active little birds to move around comfortably. Plan for at least four square feet of floor space per duck inside the shelter, with eight to ten square feet per bird in their outdoor run being a reasonable minimum. More space is always better, and Call Ducks that feel crowded will show stress through increased aggression, feather picking, and reduced egg production. The shelter itself does not need to be tall since Call Ducks are ground birds, but three feet of headroom makes cleaning easier and improves air circulation.

Water access is non-negotiable for any duck, and Call Ducks are no exception despite their diminutive size. They need water deep enough to submerge their entire head for cleaning their nostrils and eyes, which means at minimum a container allowing them to dunk their heads completely. While Call Ducks do not require a pond, they absolutely love having water to swim in, and providing even a small kiddie pool or large rubber tub gives them tremendous joy while helping them maintain proper feather condition. Change swimming water frequently during warm months since ducks turn clean water into muddy soup remarkably quickly, and stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

Bedding in the duck house should be absorbent and easy to replace since ducks produce wet droppings that create moisture problems if not managed properly. Straw works well and provides good insulation during cold months, while pine shavings offer excellent absorption and are easy to spot-clean daily. Avoid cedar shavings entirely because the aromatic oils can irritate duck respiratory systems. Plan to remove soiled bedding around water stations daily and do complete bedding changes weekly at minimum, more often during wet weather or if you notice ammonia odors developing.

Feeding equipment should include both food and water containers that Call Ducks can access easily without tipping. Their short bills and small stature mean feeders designed for standard poultry may be too tall or too deep. Shallow dishes or specialized bantam feeders work better, and placing food and water containers on wire platforms or in drip trays helps reduce the mess ducks inevitably create around anything involving water. Keep food inside a rodent-proof container when stored, since spilled feed attracts rats and mice that create both disease risks and predator attraction issues.

Morning routines with Call Ducks start with letting them out of their secure nighttime housing once full daylight arrives and predators have retreated for the day. Check that everyone emerged looking healthy and active, counting heads to ensure no bird got left behind or stuck somewhere overnight. Refresh their drinking water immediately since ducks will have muddied whatever water remained overnight, and they need clean water first thing for drinking and clearing their nostrils. Top off feed containers and take a moment to observe each duck for any signs of limping, lethargy, or unusual behavior that might indicate developing health problems.

Water management takes more daily attention than any other aspect of duck care because these birds transform clean water into muddy puddles within hours. Swimming water needs checking at least once daily during warm months, and you will likely want to dump and refill small pools every day or two to prevent bacterial growth. Drinking water should be freshened multiple times daily if possible, especially during hot weather when ducks drink more and contaminate water faster. Position water containers away from feeding areas to reduce the amount of food debris that ends up in the water.

Evening lockup is critical and should happen consistently before dusk when predators become active. Call Ducks adapt quickly to routines and will often put themselves to bed if you establish a consistent schedule, though you should always verify everyone is inside before securing the door. Count your ducks again during lockup, checking that no bird got separated from the group and left vulnerable outside. A quick bedding check during this time lets you remove any particularly wet spots and assess whether a full bedding change is needed soon.

Call Ducks are generally hardy birds when kept in appropriate conditions, but their small size means health problems can progress more rapidly than in larger breeds, making early detection and response particularly important. Learn what normal behavior looks like for your individual ducks so you can recognize when something seems off. Healthy Call Ducks are active and curious during daytime hours, eating and drinking regularly, preening their feathers frequently, and interacting socially with their flockmates. Any bird that separates from the group, sits hunched with fluffed feathers, or shows decreased interest in food and water warrants closer observation.

Respiratory issues deserve immediate attention in ducks because they can indicate several serious conditions. Symptoms including discharge from nostrils, wheezing, gasping, head shaking, or swollen sinuses suggest your duck needs veterinary evaluation. Poor ventilation in housing, dusty or moldy bedding, and stagnant water all contribute to respiratory problems and should be addressed even while treating affected birds. Isolate any duck showing respiratory symptoms to prevent potential spread to flockmates and keep the sick bird in a clean, well-ventilated area while awaiting or providing treatment.

Leg problems occur in Call Ducks more frequently than some keepers expect, particularly niacin deficiency in growing ducklings and bumblefoot in adults. Ducklings need higher niacin levels than chicks, so feed formulated specifically for waterfowl or add brewer's yeast to regular poultry feed at about two tablespoons per cup of feed. Bumblefoot appears as swelling or dark scabs on the bottom of feet, usually resulting from rough surfaces, splinters, or small cuts becoming infected. Caught early, bumblefoot responds to soaking, cleaning, and topical treatment, but advanced cases may require veterinary intervention.

Parasites affect Call Ducks both externally and internally, though healthy birds in clean conditions usually manage parasite loads without intervention. External parasites including mites and lice cause feather damage, skin irritation, and stress that reduces overall health and productivity. Check under wings and around vent areas periodically, treating any infestation with poultry-safe products. Internal parasites including various worms can accumulate in ducks with access to soil, ponds, or areas frequented by wild birds. Periodic fecal testing through your veterinarian helps determine whether deworming is needed rather than treating on a arbitrary schedule.

Winter care for Call Ducks focuses on providing shelter from wind and moisture rather than adding supplemental heat, since healthy adult ducks handle cold temperatures remarkably well as long as they can stay dry and escape the wind. Their housing should be well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup from respiration and droppings, but positioned to block prevailing winds from blowing directly through. Deep bedding provides insulation from cold ground, and adding extra straw during the coldest months helps ducks create warm nests to sleep in. Drinking water will freeze in cold weather, so plan for heated waterers or multiple water changes daily to ensure ducks always have liquid water available.

Summer heat poses more danger to ducks than winter cold, and Call Ducks can overheat quickly during hot weather despite their small size. Shade is absolutely essential during summer months, either from trees, tarps, or structures that block direct sun during the hottest parts of the day. Swimming water becomes even more important during heat waves, giving ducks a way to cool down that they will use enthusiastically. Refresh pools more frequently during hot weather since warm water grows bacteria faster, and consider adding ice to drinking water during extreme heat. Watch for signs of heat stress including panting, holding wings away from the body, and lethargy, moving affected birds to cool areas immediately.

Breeding season brings behavioral changes in Call Ducks that keepers should anticipate and manage appropriately. Drakes become more territorial and may show aggression toward other males or even toward keepers during peak breeding condition. Hens begin laying eggs, typically starting in late winter or early spring depending on your climate and whether you provide artificial lighting. If you do not want fertile eggs, keep drakes separate from hens or simply collect eggs daily for eating. If breeding is your goal, provide secluded nesting areas with clean bedding where hens can sit undisturbed.

Underestimating Call Duck volume ranks as the most common mistake new keepers make with this breed, often resulting in rehomed birds and disappointed owners who genuinely loved their ducks but could not manage the noise situation. Female Call Ducks in particular produce loud, carrying quacks that some describe as similar to a mechanical toy that will not stop. This vocalization happens throughout the day, increasing when ducks are excited, alarmed, hungry, or simply feeling chatty. Before committing to Call Ducks, honestly assess your noise tolerance, your family's tolerance, and most importantly whether your neighbors and local regulations will accommodate this breed's enthusiastic voice.

Providing inadequate predator protection claims more Call Ducks than any other single cause, and their small size makes them vulnerable to predators that might ignore larger poultry. Hardware cloth must cover every opening including the bottom of runs, since Call Ducks are small enough to be pulled through standard chicken wire by determined predators. Nighttime housing must be absolutely secure because raccoons, foxes, and owls all hunt at night and can devastate an entire flock in minutes. Never assume that because your area seems safe, predators are not present. They are always present, and they will find your ducks eventually if your security has gaps.

Neglecting water needs creates health and welfare problems in ducks faster than almost any other management failure. Ducks cannot eat dry food without water to wash it down, and they will literally choke without drinking water available during feeding. Beyond basic drinking needs, ducks must be able to submerge their heads to clean their nostrils and eyes, which become clogged and infected without this opportunity. Swimming water, while not strictly necessary, provides important benefits for feather condition, thermoregulation, and mental wellbeing. Ducks deprived of adequate water are stressed ducks, and stressed birds have weakened immune systems and shortened lifespans.

Feeding inappropriate diets causes nutritional deficiencies that manifest as leg problems, poor feathering, reduced fertility, and general failure to thrive. Call Duck ducklings require higher niacin levels than chicken chicks, making standard chick starter inadequate unless supplemented with brewer's yeast. Adult ducks need waterfowl or all-flock feed rather than layer feed formulated for chickens, since the calcium levels in layer feed can cause kidney problems in ducks not actively laying eggs. Treats should be limited to avoid nutritional imbalances, with healthy options including peas, chopped greens, and mealworms rather than bread or processed foods.

Keeping inadequate numbers creates social stress that affects duck wellbeing significantly. Ducks are highly social animals that become lonely and depressed when kept singly, and even pairs can leave a surviving bird grief-stricken if one dies. Plan to keep at least three or four ducks so that losing one does not leave a bird alone, and consider your drake to hen ratio carefully since too many drakes causes over-mating stress in hens. A good starting point is one drake per three to four hens, or keep an all-female flock if you do not want breeding activity.

Ignoring early health warning signs allows minor issues to become serious or fatal conditions unnecessarily. Call Ducks are small birds, meaning they have less body mass to sustain them through illness, making prompt intervention more critical than with larger poultry. Learn normal duck behavior so you can recognize when something changes, and do not dismiss subtle signs like decreased appetite, separation from the flock, or changes in droppings. Having a relationship with a veterinarian who sees poultry before you have an emergency makes getting help much faster when problems do arise.