Thinking of Call Ducks

[tdgill]

I really would like to have a couple (3?) All you enablers out there steer me in the right direction please! I am in northeastern Maryland

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I adore my call ducks

I started out with two - I have about 13 of them right now (I have a few extra drakes, waiting til spring to sort them out, though).

I am quite a ways from you, so no idea where to get them in your area - they've pretty much quit laying for the year, so you'd have to buy birds, and not eggs to hatch right now.

Depending on quality of the birds, they can be expensive or reasonably priced. I've seen show quality pairs go for 150+ dollars.

I have pet quality, personally, and that's fine with me, I don't plan to show anyway. One of the females I picked up this summer, however, is the smallest duck I've (personally) ever seen, has good size, shape (color is a bit off, but that can be fixed maybe in future generations). I got lucky getting her at a good price.

Most people will tell you to keep them penned or caged - Mine freerange and get locked in at night. I've lost two to predators - in broad daylight both times. Most of the time they run in a pack, though, so the larger numbers protect them somewhat - I only seem to lose one when it leaves the group and goes off on it's own (egg laying in the woods in NOT a good thing.) So, cage or freerange is up to you. There are risks in freeranging, but I think being able to run around and eat yummy bugs and play in the puddles is more important than being totally safe your whole life.

meri

 

[rainplace]

Holderreads have these available right now: http://holderreadfarm.com/index.htm

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Australian Spotted (photo): Tame, excellent natural parents and foragers, and colorful. Pairs available. $25, $38, $50, $75 & $100 per bird.
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Black East Indie*(photo): We have a good selection of these little emerald-green gems. They add dazzling, tropical-like beauty to any setting. Pairs and drakes available. $25, $38, $50, $75, $100, $125 & $150 per bird.
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Gray Call (photo): Petite beauties colored like miniature Mallards. Along with the East Indies, these are the smallest of all bantam duck breeds. Pairs and drakes. $25, $38, $50, $75 & $100 per bird.
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Silver Miniature Appleyard (photo): Friendly, excellent natural parents and foragers, and colorful. Pairs and drakes available. $25, $38, $50, $75 & $100 per bird.
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Silky Ducks--Black (photo): Extremely rare and interesting little ducks with lacy feathering. Good foragers, friendly, good natural setters. Drakes & pairs. $38, $50, $75 & $100 per bird.

 

[Goat_Walker]

I think It would be cool to have call ducks - but those prices are just off my charts.

 

[obsidianembrace]

I got my Clyde at my county fair for 20 bucks. He's awesome and dang cute.

I just put him inside his cage at night and he runs the yard all day. My yard is tiny and our only predator around is an occasional feral cat at night so I don't worry about him.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I pay about 15 bucks a pair for pet quality calls.

If you look around, you can find them reasonably priced.

25 a pair isn't bad.

meri

 

[tdgill]

thanks so much for the info!

 

[emjay]

they are so cute.
I hadn't heard of them before until I went to the country fair this year.
they are adorable.
Are they quite affectionate for ducks?
as far as ducks go that is.

 

[Squirtchy2009]

Call ducks are awesome !!! I have 4 of them

There my babys. if you can get a hold of a trio and breed from them, its the best thing you can do

I paid £45 a pair for mine at a country show this year :S bit steep but it was worth it

 

[Duck Keeper]

OH MY WORD they are SOO tiny!

I saw them at the fair and I was amazed how small they were compared to 'regular' and 'large' breed ducks like I have.