The Poultry Keeper

stephen · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject: Call Ducks

Thread for Call Ducks

Fangs · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:33 pm Post subject:

Davies, magpie call drake

Meryl, magpie call duck

Call ducks were first bred to entice wild mallards towards hunters during duck season. They were bred to be small birds, which were noisey, which attracted the wild mallards to them, where the hunter would shoot. Then sending a retrieving dog in to fetch the dead mallard.

Calls are now a common sight in the show arena, as well as in gardens, where they are kept as pets. They are known for being noisey, tame, and generally very calm, friendly little ducks. They therefore make ideal beginners ducks.

They come in a variety of colours:
White (the most common)
Magpie
Dark/Light Silver
Mallard
Apricot
Silver Apricot
Blue Bibbed
Lavender
Blue
Butterscotch
Pied
And More

The standards ask for a small bird, with a round head, short legs, and small bill. There are many recognised breeders in the UK, including the Ashtons, who are also recognised for their geese.

They are a lvoely bird to own, with charecter that soon come out. They can fly, so clipping them is advised. This is a fault however if they are to be show birds.

Fangs

BL · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

do you know anyone in aberdeenshire or ne scotland that would be able to sell me a couple of call ducks - not that fussed about the colour but would rather have coloured ones not white

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject:

Have a look at the call duck association website, they give a list of breeders Very Happy

Miheila · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Eastern US

Wow fangs, your Calls are gorgeous. I've never seen Magpie Calls before. I love the Blue color variation. I don't have any Calls myself, but I think they're lovely.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

A few of my calls