Call Ducks with Large Hens

[Lilquacks21]

I have 12 large hens (Khaki being the smallest) and we would like to get some call ducks. We only use our ducks for eggs (not breeding/ducklings), hence why no males. However, call ducks are only sold as straight run. If we have call duck drakes, will they mate with the larger hens?

 

[CoriM]

I have asked this same question on BYC. I believe some call duck owners suggested they might try. I also have an all female flock of 11 standards. A couple months ago I adopted a special needs female call duck and her sister. The little one had wry neck, and she's since fully recovered. I have always been interested in calls but didn't want to chance straight run. Anyway, I will say that two months into it I love the little girls but they size difference is way more than I thought. It's like having little pigeons with your ducks. It's a bit more work because I need to have very low water dishes and food dishes now, and there's no keeping the big ducks out of them, so they get dirty or low on water pretty fast. Food spills everywhere - thankfully they like to eat it off the ground. Things like stones I have outside the coup that are probably an inch and a half tall, are huge steps for the call ducks so I find myself trying to find ways for them to navigate my set-up easier. The other hazard is that at treat time or when releasing them from the run into the yard they can easily be trampled, so you really have to watch. The big ducks are just so much bigger. I have now fully assimilated my call ducks with my big girls, but when they are in their tractor I do fence off a little area just for them to give everyone some space. Also, legs are so tiny, they are working way more when trekking across my yard. The noise they make is kind of a shriek - which scared my big girls at first, and really hurt my ears. We've gotten used to that part. When they're just doodling around they make a very cute noise like baby ducks. All in all, I adore them and wish I had a set-up that was just for call ducks...in that case I think a flock of several would be fun. One other down side, their eggs are like 2/3rd the size of a normal duck egg, yet they are so tiny. My one gal layed soft shelled for several weeks and I felt horrible for her - it would take her half the day to get it out. I tried a Lupron injection to see if she would stop laying but she didn't. Thankfully she's started onto hard shelled eggs now. The other one is not laying, thankfully. Anyway, I lucked out, getting them at 8 months old - they are very sweet and friendly and have my heart, so I will do whatever to make them happy and make it work. Picture to show the little ones next to my runner, who isn't that big.