I have a pair of call ducks, and this is my first winter with them. I've never had ducks or waterfowl before, so this is all new to me. It's gotten very cold here, and the ducks haven't been able to bathe in a couple of weeks. They are given a fresh bowl of water twice daily for drinking. But I didn't think that they'd want to bathe with temps in the teens/20's. Must they have access to a swimming area in order to breed?
No. They will breed out of water. It seems just part of the bathing routine to also mate, but my drakes always are chasing the girls down in the lawn and breeding them.
I don't see my mating this time of year but they still enjoy a bath when the weather permits. As long as their pool isn't frozen they will swim.
My ducks still get their pool filled with fresh water every morning and they enjoy it, I also have a 'MUD Pool" my DF dug for them that they love for me to fill up for them. I'm jealous! I want call ducks! I got the most beautiful green drake a few weeks ago and an huge owl got him! Can you believe that! I was SOOO mad!
Here's a pic of my 2 "clowns". I didn't get them until Michigan Fowl Fest in October, so I haven't had them very long. Both of them are from the same breeder, and were hatched this past spring. My friend Miss_Jayne got some gorgeous ones at the same time from the same breeder. I am absolutely loving mine, even though they are quite messy. I can't wait for breeding season to get here so I can try and hatch some eggs from them.
HOW ADORABLE! I love my ducks, and I love my Bantams! What could possibly be cuter than bantam ducks! I MUST HAVE SOME!
My 2 are considered pet quality, but I wouldn't take anything for them. But they are from SQ stock, so there's nothing to say that they can't produce SQ offspring. I am fortunate in that the breeder of these is very honest and informative. He is always available for me to contact him with ANY questions about them or their care.
Its very important for ducks and geese to be able to get into bathing water year round in order to keep their feathers in good condition. With Call Ducks you could get a heated dog dish to keep their water from freezing. Keep in mind ducks are verywinter hardy with their "down jackets". I suppose Calls might be more fragile (not sure/never raised them) but as long as they have dry shelter and good feed they will be fine. I fill my kiddy pools years round. In the winter I just bust the ice off the top and in they go, into the freezing water. "Ice water anybody?"
Actually, ducks CAN breed without water. But, I find that females are more willing when they are swimming. Although, I have seen my ducks breeding without water. But, I highly doubt your males will be able to ACTUALLY breed your females this time of year ( they may go through the breeding routine. But, the female will not be actually mated ). You could get a small kiddie pool. And just dump out the water at night. And fill it up with new water in the mornings. So, it wont have time to freez overnight. Thats what I do, and it works just fine.
These 2 are now kept indoors for the winter. I have them in their own separate coop inside my big "coopshed". I don't have room in there for a kiddie pool, but I think I'll get something set up outside with a swimming tub for them, and put them out there ocassionally...like every 3-4 days to take a swim and bathe.
