We are Quakers about our Call Ducks!
Call Ducks are the smallest breed of domestic duck and come in an array of over 15 different colours. They vary from white to butterscotch and a more traditional mallard-looking colour, which is also known as grey!
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We breed the Butterscotch, Abacot, Apricot Abacot, White & Mallard varieties. The females (Ducks) are a striking, deep cream colour with a complimenting white eye mask. This is where they get their Butterscotch or Apricot Appleyard name from. The males (Drakes) have a striking, deep silver head with a light eye mask and a strong mahogany chest, which sets them apart from their female counterparts (labelled pictures below).
Looking after Call Ducks is relatively simple, as long as they are provided with some basic conditions.
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Clean water is essential, this doesn't need to be in a pond or a lake. Our ducks are more than happy in plastic tubs that are changed daily. We provide a number of these in each pen to ensure every duck has access to water for bathing.
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Security is another important factor, our Calls have access to secure, covered runs during the day and sleep in a secure shed at night.
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When we are in the garden, we let them out to forage at their will. We personally wouldn't leave them foraging unoccupied, due to predation from the air and ground.
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Good quality food and worming twice a year is also paramount for optimal health. The ducks enjoy fresh lettuce scattered along their pens supplemented with a good quality feed of pellet and duck mix.
Can you tell which is a male & female Butterscotch pictured below?
How many Call Ducks can I have?
Call Ducks are very sociable therefore it is a good idea to have more than 1.
If you live in a neighbourhood where noisy females Calls may not be welcome, then we would suggest two Drakes (males).
If you do choose to have female Calls and are interested in having ducklings, Call Ducks can be kept in pairs (1 males & 1 female), a trio (1 male & 2 females) or depending on the personalities of the males involved, some of our calls are happy together living in pairs during the breeding season (January-July).
From August - December, we bring our Calls together because it is non breeding season and they enjoy being together as a group.
