Duck Addicts Anonymous (DAA)

[Cecisflock]

Does anyone know how long call ducks will lay? We just got our pair this year they are currently 2, will be 3 in July. They are beautiful show quality ducks and 2 of their babies one the Iowa State Fair this year and last year! I would love to continue breeding them if possible.

 

[Albert the Saxony]

I don‘t own calls and I never had any experience with them, but I found this thread here on byc that might help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/call-duck-egg-production.942241/


I have read in books and online that they don‘t have a very long lay duration, I think I read that they typically lay around 50 eggs give or take some.

 

[Cecisflock]

have a very long lay duration, I think I read that they typically lay around 50 eggs give or take some.

This is true. And they are incredibly hard to hatch out.

 

[Albert the Saxony]

This is true. And they are incredibly hard to hatch out.

Are they comparable to wood ducks? I have heard that wood ducks are hard to hatch and brood as well.

 

[Cecisflock]

Are they comparable to wood ducks? I have heard that wood ducks are hard to hatch and brood as well.

I would say harder but I’ve only ever assisted in a wood duck hatch for DNR

 

[Albert the Saxony]

Well, I wish the best for your call ducks! I hope you can breed them and hatch some ducklings.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Are they comparable to wood ducks? I have heard that wood ducks are hard to hatch and brood as well.

I have no experience with wood ducks, but the call ducks really depend on a lot of variables. I was told to be ready just in case, but many of them are able to hatch with little to no assistance. The SQ with really short bills and necks tend to have a higher occurrence of needing assistance but that isn't true all the time either. I was told that Call duck hens will assist in the hatch of their ducklings, which is so interesting and really cool. There are just so many variables but Calls are known to be difficult to hatch. Have you hatched wood ducks before

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I would say harder but I’ve only ever assisted in a wood duck hatch for DNR

I keep thinking DNR = Do Not Resuscitate from my time working on the ambulance

 

[Isadora]

I keep thinking DNR = Do Not Resuscitate from my time working on the ambulance

That's what I thought of too, but I think it was from reading murder mysteries

 

[Albert the Saxony]

I have no experience with wood ducks, but the call ducks really depend on a lot of variables. I was told to be ready just in case, but many of them are able to hatch with little to no assistance. The SQ with really short bills and necks tend to have a higher occurrence of needing assistance but that isn't true all the time either. I was told that Call duck hens will assist in the hatch of their ducklings, which is so interesting and really cool. There are just so many variables but Calls are known to be difficult to hatch. Have you hatched wood ducks before

That’s interesting. To answer your question about the wood ducks I have not, but I would love to eventually! The reason I asked was because I have heard from people and read in books about wood ducks being hard to brood as ducklings.