Thinking about getting Call ducks

[twigcrafter]

I understand about the drake to hen ratio. Unfortunately they are only sold in pairs.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

The ones I’ve seen for sale are $50 a pair. This pair has a black bibbed drake and a chocolate bibbed duck, only problem is their bills are way too long especially the ducks.

The same person has two other call ducks for sale for $35 each at the moment. I’m not sure about colour or the size of their bills because this person has some very pixelated photos. Also this person has some ducklings which depending on their age are $12-$15, I think they are silvers.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

The person has now put an ad up for two new pairs that are: blue bibbed duck / Mallard drake, Mallard duck / blue Mallard drake.
The first pair costs AU $80 and the second pair costs AU $120. And both pairs don’t have the smallest bills .

 

[MillersFarm]

Any pics?

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

First pair:

Second pair:

 

[MillersFarm]

the greys look awfully Mallard like. The drake has a really long body/bill so he might have some mallard in him, same goes for the hen. I would avoid those, The blue bibbed looks ok.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

Well our Australian call ducks were developed from smaller mallards more recently therefore they aren’t as small as the Northern Hemisphere call ducks.

 

[MillersFarm]

Oh I didn't know that.. Still, If you're looking for quality I would go with the blue bibbed, Even if they're more expensive.. It would coast more to breed out the long body shape & bill size than to just buy a better quality call in the long run.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

I asked the person who’s selling the call duck ducklings (different person) for pics of the parents and they sent some pics of last years babies. What do you think are they good or at least better then the others?

 

[MillersFarm]

Those I would go with, Most looks mix bred. The first drake looks pastel and the one in the last pic is grey(Mallard) Hens don't look like a certain variety. But they look pretty decent quality to me.