- Thread starter
- #11
So I do have some questions for you Call lovers out there. I've always wanted them, but these are my first, although I've had several breeds of ducks in the past.
1. I'm housing them currently in a large, wire breeding cage. Is that acceptable? I'd wanted them on the ground in a 10x20 dog run that is covered, but after seeing how teeny tiny they are in person, I just couldn't imagine them sharing the pen with my quad of Chocolate English Orpingtons.
2. The previous owner was feeding them hen scratch and occasionally offering them gamebird feed. I gave them a tiny dish of scratch so they'd have something familiar but they have a mix of Layer Pellets and Crumble in a feeder, along with grit and oyster shell in separate dishes.
I realized how short they were so there are some bricks to get in and out of their 'pool' and nest boxes. Those are not in the photos as I added them afterward.
3. They are under a year old and should start laying soon. When do your calls usually start laying? I am in Northeast Texas.
4. I've heard they are hard to hatch. Give me all your tips and tricks. It'll break my heart if they are fertile and their little eggs don't hatch.
5. I've always heard that Calls need to be clipped/pinioned, or housed in a covered pen. I see pictures though where they are clearly out and about enjoying the grass and what not. How do you all keep yours?
Feel free to disclose any other important information I might need to know.
1. I'm housing them currently in a large, wire breeding cage. Is that acceptable? I'd wanted them on the ground in a 10x20 dog run that is covered, but after seeing how teeny tiny they are in person, I just couldn't imagine them sharing the pen with my quad of Chocolate English Orpingtons.
2. The previous owner was feeding them hen scratch and occasionally offering them gamebird feed. I gave them a tiny dish of scratch so they'd have something familiar but they have a mix of Layer Pellets and Crumble in a feeder, along with grit and oyster shell in separate dishes.
I realized how short they were so there are some bricks to get in and out of their 'pool' and nest boxes. Those are not in the photos as I added them afterward.
3. They are under a year old and should start laying soon. When do your calls usually start laying? I am in Northeast Texas.
4. I've heard they are hard to hatch. Give me all your tips and tricks. It'll break my heart if they are fertile and their little eggs don't hatch.
5. I've always heard that Calls need to be clipped/pinioned, or housed in a covered pen. I see pictures though where they are clearly out and about enjoying the grass and what not. How do you all keep yours?
Feel free to disclose any other important information I might need to know.
I'll try to get some better pictures where an ID can be made more definitively. I honestly couldn't believe I scored the trio for $100 and that they looked so good. Like short proper beaks and generally appear well-bred. They are also very gentle and calm. I literally just ushered them into the dog kennel for the ride home. The hens are a little skittish but I have every intention of spoiling them rotten with little yummies so they like me. 
