Call Ducks?

[stormie]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 the lowest, 10 the highest) how hard is it to hatch call ducks. I have heard they can be difficult. I plan to mist and cool during incubation (following Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks) and use clean hands. I am also not cleaning the eggs off. I will be using 9200 Little Giant Still Air incubator. Just want some opinions...

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
It depends on the size of the parents. If the parents are on the larger side, then a 4, if the parents are very small and typy, then maybe 6 or 7.

Make sure not to play around with the eggs too much. I mean candling. Only candle at 7 days, and then before you move them to the hatcher. they hatch at day 26. Wash you hands very well before touching them also, as the oils from you hands could clog the eggs pours.

I wrote an article on hatching call ducks, it is on my byc page.

 

[stormie]

Are they friendly if hatched by myself? I spend at least two weeks with them at about 6 hours a day. I went to State Fair this past summer and noticed all the call ducks were really skittish and I don't want skittish ducks.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Call ducks are very friendly ducks. If hand raised, they will become very friendly. I had a call duck that would fly after me as an adult, and follow me all around the yard.

I would wash my hands instead of wearing rubber gloves, but thats just me.

 

[stormie]

Instead of washing my hands would it work to use normal rubber gloves (disposable)?

 

[stormie]

Alright thanks a bunch for the advice and I'll follow your guide on you BYC page. Very helpful!

 

[CindyS]

You can expect about 50% to hatch. But they are well worth the extra effort! My calls are much tamer than my standard size ducks. I can walk in their pen and just scoot my feet through them without them moving much. (I have 54 of the little darlings) My big ducks will panic and get as far away from me as they can, although all were hatched and hand raised by me.

 

[Katy]

I agree they can be a tame little duck if you spend any amount of time with them.

I let the hens set and then take the ducklings away once they're hatched. I never had very good luck hatching them....the hens do much better than I ever did.