Call

The Call is one of the smallest domestic duck breeds, classed as a true bantam. Adults weigh well under a kilogram, and the breed is kept mainly as an ornamental and companion bird rather than for meat or large egg production. Its compact build, rounded head, and short bill give it a distinctive look that sets it apart from larger farmyard ducks.

The breed is best known for its voice. The loud, repeated quack that gives the Call its name carries a long way, and hens in particular are persistent vocalizers. This trait made the bird useful in the past and makes it a noticeable presence in any backyard flock today. Owners often describe Calls as alert and inquisitive, quick to react to movement and sound around them.

In temperament the Call is friendly and playful. Birds that are handled regularly from a young age become tame and will follow keepers around the yard. They do well in small groups and form clear social bonds within the flock.

Who it suits

The Call suits keepers who want a small, characterful duck and who can house waterfowl with access to clean water for bathing. The breed is a poor fit for anyone with close neighbors or noise restrictions, because the quack is loud and frequent. Calls need protection from predators and are not suited to being kept entirely alone, since they are social birds.

The Call duck reached Europe through the Low Countries, where small, loud ducks were used by hunters. The breed was later developed and standardized in the United Kingdom, which is recorded as its breed origin.

The original working purpose explains the breed's defining feature. Hunters placed Call ducks on or near water so their persistent quacking would attract passing wild ducks within range of nets and, later, guns. The birds acted as living decoys, and their small size and carrying voice made them well suited to that role.

As decoy hunting declined, the Call shifted into the role of an ornamental and exhibition bird. Breeders began selecting for type, small size, and color rather than for working ability. The Call became a fixture at poultry and waterfowl shows, where its compact shape and short bill are judged against a written standard.

Today the Call is kept worldwide as a pet and show bird. A range of color varieties has been developed over time, and the breed is popular with Canadian backyard waterfowl keepers and small-flock hobbyists across the country.

The Call has a short, compact body that sits low and looks almost round. The head is broad and rounded, set on a short neck, and the bill is short and stubby, which is one of the clearest signs of correct breed type. The overall impression is of a miniature duck with exaggerated, soft curves.

Drakes and hens are similar in shape, though drakes carry the curled tail feathers seen in many duck breeds and often show brighter coloring in patterned varieties.

Coat and colors

The feathering is dense and sheds water well, which the breed needs for bathing and swimming. Color varieties are numerous. White Calls are pure white with orange bills and legs, while mallard-patterned Calls show the green head and claret breast in drakes and a mottled brown plumage in hens. Other recognized forms include blue, silver, and pied patterns, with the exact list depending on the standard used in each country.

Calls are sociable and active. They mix well with other ducks and settle into a small flock with little trouble. Birds raised with regular gentle handling become tame and confident, often approaching keepers and following them around the yard at feeding time.

With strangers the breed stays alert and may be wary at first, but it rarely shows aggression. Around other pets, Calls are best supervised, since their small size makes them vulnerable to dogs, cats, and predators.

The defining behavioral trait is vocalness. Hens quack loudly and often, especially when excited, separated from the flock, or alerting to something new. This makes Calls effective watch birds but a poor choice where noise is a concern.

Calls are low-maintenance in terms of grooming but need consistent daily care. Their main requirements are clean water, a safe shelter, and protection from predators.

Grooming

• Provide water deep enough for the duck to dip its whole head and clean its nostrils and eyes.
• Allow access to bathing water so the bird can preen and spread waterproofing oil through its feathers.
• Check feet and legs regularly for cuts, swelling, or bumblefoot.
• Inspect feathers during the annual molt and keep bedding dry to avoid soiling.

Exercise

• Give daily access to a run or yard for foraging and swimming.
• Supply a shallow pool or pond for swimming and natural play.
• Keep the flock together, since activity increases when birds have company.

Environment

Canadian winters can be severe, and Calls need a well-insulated, draft-free shelter during cold months. Waterers must not be allowed to freeze, and bedding should stay dry. In summer, shade and fresh cool water are important, particularly in the warmer regions of Ontario and British Columbia. Bedding should be changed regularly, and the housing must be closed securely at night.

A complete commercial waterfowl or poultry feed should form the base of the diet. Ducklings need a higher-protein starter, growing birds move to a grower ration, and adults are kept on a maintenance or layer feed depending on whether hens are laying. Because Calls are small, portion sizes are modest, and free-choice feeding should be monitored to avoid excess weight.

Treats and supplements

Leafy greens, peas, and small amounts of chopped vegetables make good treats. Provide insoluble grit so the birds can grind food, and offer crushed oyster shell or a calcium source to laying hens to support shell quality. Treats should stay a small part of the overall diet.

With clean conditions, a balanced diet, and predator protection, Calls are robust birds and often reach the upper end of their 8 to 12 year lifespan. Most health problems trace back to poor water hygiene, wet bedding, or injury rather than to the breed itself.

Preventive care

• Keep drinking and bathing water clean and deep enough for head dipping.
• Maintain dry, clean bedding and a well-ventilated shelter.
• Provide soft, clean ground or litter to lower bumblefoot risk.
• Supply adequate calcium to laying hens.
• Inspect birds regularly for parasites, foot injuries, and weight change.

Calls adapt to most backyard setups as long as they have a safe house and water for bathing. The shelter should be dry, ventilated, and lockable at night. A fenced run or supervised yard gives the birds room to forage and swim during the day. Because the breed is so small, fencing and overhead protection matter more than for larger ducks. In Canada, mink, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey are common threats, and hardware cloth with a solid floor or apron is recommended over basic chicken wire.

Setup checklist

• Lockable, dry, ventilated night shelter with insulation for winter.
• Fenced run with overhead cover or netting where raptors are active.
• Shallow pool or pond plus separate clean drinking water.
• Dry bedding and a shaded area for summer heat.
• A quiet, sheltered spot for nesting hens.

Call eggs can be hatched under a broody duck or hen or in an incubator. Many Call hens go broody and make attentive natural mothers, which is one reason the breed is popular with small-scale hatchers. Incubation runs to roughly 28 days, with stable temperature and humidity being the main factors for success. The small egg size means careful handling during turning and candling.

Hatching steps

1. Set clean, undamaged eggs and bring the incubator to a stable temperature first.
2. Turn eggs several times daily for the first 25 days.
3. Candle around days 7 and 14 to check development and remove clear or non-viable eggs.
4. Stop turning about 3 days before the due date and raise humidity for hatching.
5. Leave ducklings in the warm incubator until dry and fluffed, then move them to a warm brooder with shallow water and starter feed.