Call ducks

[Abriana]

I am getting ducks. I was planning on Pekins, because I have heard many good things about them. They are friendly, and because of their size, they can't fly and so I won't have to clip their wings. I was talking about getting Pekins on a different thread, and the person I was talking to said that they steer clear of Pekins because their weight can give them leg issues. These will be pets, not meat birds, so I am not sure the big size is good. I asked what kind of ducks this person would reccomend (which were the friendliest) and the answer was Call ducks. I am planning on handling them a lot because I am only getting two, can anyone tell me if Calls:
Get very friendly when handled a lot
Need wing clipping (fly a lot?)
How much pool cleaning and how often they need it (I heard Pekins need water all the time and the pool cleaned super often)
If anyone has any other advice to give, please post!

 

[Isaac 0]

My pekins do seem do get limps very easily.They are pretty heavy too.I would recommend either Runner's or Rounens.You can always look at the breed review's of duck on here.

Call Ducks are very good flyers and would need there wings clipped to be contained.

Call Ducks are bantams so wont make as much waste.But all ducks make a mess.

Ive never had Call ducks but they seem a bit wild for handling.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I would say that all ducks should have water all the time and have their pool cleaned frequently. Ducks are a lot of work -but worth it! To go from Perkins to Calls is from one extreme to the other. Yes, a smaller duck will make less poop but they also are more likely to be prey to a hawk or owl. They also quack a lot, hence the name, Call duck. They were used to call the wild ducks to the hunter.

Why do you want ducks? Just as a pet or for eggs? I ended up with Khaki Campbells because I wanted garden ducks to eat my slugs, eggs, and pets. I wish I had gotten Welsh Harlequins instead because they are a little bigger. The smaller the duck, the better it's ability to fly. One of my Khakis has to have her wings clipped. I believe all Call ducks fly. Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks is a great book which gives the pros and cons of each breed and outlines what ducks need.

 

[The Moonshiner]

@Ravynscroft
Knows a lot about calls.

 

[Abriana]

@Ravynscroft
Knows a lot about calls.

Thank you! I just started a conversation with her.

 

[Abriana]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I am going to do more research on different breeds of duck before I make any further decisions. Any friendly, larger (not too big by hard for a hawk to take), duck breeds you can suggest for me to consider? I will definitely look at the ones mentioned above.

 

[MagpieDucks]

You would only need to clip wings about once a year after every molt. According to Dave holderread bantams do keep themselves tidy if given the opportunity.
However, they are more predator prone.

I'm think your best option are Welsh harlequins. Remember that breed comparison chart I showed you from metzer farms?

 

[MagpieDucks]

oh, I forgot to mention I have 2 call ducks hatching right now!

 

[Abriana]

Yes, I do, I will definitely look into Welsh Harlequins first. Thank you!

 

[MagpieDucks]

My wee little Call baby!