Calls or Wood Ducks?

[Cara]

I want to raise another variety of ducks other than the Pekins we already have. I'm torn between Calls and Wood Ducks. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to raising them?

 

[wadek2008]

The Calls are so much more personable. Wood ducks will be very wild. Whenever I get in the pen with my Wood ducks or Mandarins, they run wildly to the side farthest from me and a few start flapping their wings and banging into the fence. That's just how they are-not domesticated. Though they're very pretty, they're more expensive to get into and harder to raise. The calls are friendlier, especially if you have them from when they're little.

 

[Cara]

Do the calls lay more eggs than the wood ducks?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Ive heard that they do. Call ducks start laying in march, where as wood ducks are in late april early may. Call ducks are very friendly and like to be handled, where as wood ducks are very very wild.

 

[wadek2008]

Yes they do.

 

[Cara]

Thanks, that has helped a lot

The wood ducks are beautiful, but I won't enjoy them if they're freaking out every time i'm in the pen with them.

 

[Blueroo63]

I also havwe Woodduck and Mandrinas and the breeders do act crazy,but the babis if you raise them they will set on your shoulder and come to you for lovingas do the pure Mallards they are a very sweet pretty little duck also good luck

 

[Cara]

Can call ducks fly? Our Pekins can barely run

 

[wadek2008]

Yes but in my experience they don't really try if you have food and water for them. They're pretty loyal and tame. I keep my call's wings clipped, of course, though.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Yes, they can. Mine will occasionaly fly around their pen. I used to let them out, and they would fly right down to the pond. But the hawks started picking them off, and my whole flock took off.