Call Duck

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment7–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Egg binding · Respiratory issues · Obesity

Call ducks are the smallest domestic duck and endlessly charming, but their defining trait is noise — the females in particular are astonishingly loud, so they are a genuine consideration for anyone with close neighbours. They are flock birds that must be kept in groups of at least two or three, and they need daily access to water deep enough to submerge their heads and ideally swim, which keeps their eyes, nostrils and plumage healthy and lets them preen and waterproof properly. Diet matters more than many expect: ducks need a waterfowl feed with adequate niacin, not plain chicken feed, or ducklings develop crippling leg problems. Provide fresh greens and forage, grit, and always clean water beside food. Their housing must be secure and predator-proof, as ducks are vulnerable to foxes, dogs and birds of prey, especially at night. Health watch-points include egg binding in the prolific-laying females (supported by good calcium and warmth), respiratory infections such as aspergillosis from damp or mouldy bedding, and bumblefoot from hard or dirty surfaces. Keep bedding dry, water clean, feed correct, and a small flock of call ducks will follow you around and announce every visitor for the better part of a decade.

• How much activity does a Call Duck need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Call Duck need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Call Duck need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Call Duck a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Call Duck live?

  7–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Call Duck?

  Keep an eye out for Egg binding, Respiratory issues, Obesity. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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