Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[BlackBrookPoultry]

The difficulty hatching is dependent on the quality of the ducks. The shorter the neck and beak, the harder time they have hatching. I only get about a 60 percent rate on good quality ones. And most of the time, I end up helping them hatch. I usually keep a 3:1 ratio here.

 

[Weirdness555]

Ok, I think we'd be able to balance the birds out between here and our friend's. I will find a breeder and not order online. What are the signs of good quality birds?

 

[minihorse927]

Uhg, I should avoid swap days. Came home with a trio of silver calls, trio of chocolate calls, a dun hen, a grey drake, and a snowy drake. All excellent quality. I'm broke

 

[minihorse927]

Ok, I think we'd be able to balance the birds out between here and our friend's. I will find a breeder and not order online. What are the signs of good quality birds?

Good quality birds should be round. Round heads, round full bodies, short, wide bills, thick and short necks, short legs. Proper coloration depends on what color variety your looking at. They are small, preferably a pound or less but can weigh up to 1.5lb. If you look at the call association website, you can get pictures and color descriptions to take with you to look at birds.

 

[Weirdness555]

Ok, thanks. We'll obviously be buying hatching eggs not birds so the babies might hatch off colour, but we're not planning on showing. Are show quality birds more or less likely to have hatching problems? Is it similar to other show breed animals (such as dogs) who are less healthy when pure bred? Or is it different with calls?

 

[minihorse927]

It's the same with calls. The typey birds are hard to hatch. Good quality birds are best bought grown. I know it is not always the cheapest or the easiest way but eggs are so hard to hatch. Even on more pet quality birds. Some of them even have trouble hatching. They can have trouble breeding due to size also and there can be infertile birds that will never breed also.

 

[Weirdness555]

I don't know if we're worried about them breeding as adults, the main reason for getting into it is because my mum wants to hatch ducklings and of all ducks we'd most like calls.

 

[minihorse927]

I love my call ducks they're great. They are my favorite ducks by far. there is just a lot of heartache involved with trying to hatch them. they are such lovely little birds with perfect little personalities. I have several that just love to be picked up and carried around. they truly are a joy.

 

[Weirdness555]

Well exactly they sound so perfect

 

[Fuxzi]

Do calls lay eggs all year round?