Call Duck: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

Call ducks are one of the smallest domestic duck breeds, usually weighing about 1 to 2 pounds as adults. They were historically used as decoy ducks because of their loud, high-pitched voices, and today they are more often kept as companion birds, exhibition ducks, or small-flock pets. Their tiny size, rounded head, and animated personality make them especially appealing to pet parents with limited space.

Temperament matters as much as looks with this breed. Many Call ducks are alert, social, and curious, but they are also noisier than many larger duck breeds. They usually do best with other ducks rather than living alone, and they need secure housing because their small size makes them vulnerable to predators. Unlike heavier domestic ducks, Call ducks can fly to some degree, so fenced or covered outdoor areas are often important.

For the right household, Call ducks can be engaging and rewarding companions. They are not low-maintenance birds, though. They need clean water, species-appropriate feed, dry bedding, weather protection, and regular observation for subtle signs of illness. A relationship with your vet, ideally one comfortable with birds or backyard poultry, is a smart part of Call duck care from the start.

Call ducks share many of the same medical risks seen in other domestic ducks, but their small size and compact head shape can make some problems more noticeable. Common concerns include respiratory disease from moldy bedding or poor ventilation, foot problems from wet or dirty footing, external and internal parasites, and reproductive problems in laying females. Cornell notes that ducks are also at risk for serious infectious diseases such as duck virus enteritis, Riemerella anatipestifer infection, and avian cholera, especially when biosecurity and sanitation are poor.

Toxin exposure is another important issue. Ducks are especially sensitive to some molds and environmental toxins. Aspergillosis can develop after exposure to damp, moldy straw or feed, while botulism risk rises around stagnant water and decaying organic material. Because ducks often hide illness until they are quite sick, early signs like reduced appetite, listlessness, eye discharge, diarrhea, limping, tail-down posture, labored breathing, or a sudden drop in normal activity should prompt a call to your vet.

Call ducks may also face practical health challenges related to breeding for a very small, rounded look. Some lines have shorter, broader heads and shorter bills, which can be associated with husbandry and breeding concerns. That does not mean every Call duck will have medical trouble, but it does mean careful sourcing matters. Ask breeders about fertility, hatchability, leg and foot soundness, and whether birds have had chronic breathing, eye, or egg-laying problems in their lines.

The initial cost range for a Call duck is usually higher than for common utility duck breeds. In 2026 hatchery pricing, unsexed assorted Call ducklings are listed around $34.99 each, while specific color Call ducklings are commonly about $44.99 each before shipping and minimum-order requirements. Many pet parents choose at least two ducks, so the starting bird cost range is often about $70 to $120 for a pair, and sometimes more through specialty breeders or show lines.

Setup costs are usually more significant than the birds themselves. A secure predator-proof coop or night shelter, covered run, brooder supplies for ducklings, feeders, waterers, bedding, and fencing often add roughly $250 to $800+ depending on whether you build or buy. Ongoing monthly costs for feed, bedding, grit, and basic supplies often land around $20 to $50 for a small pair, though this varies with local feed costs and housing style.

Veterinary costs are worth planning for early. In many US practices, an avian or exotic exam commonly falls around $70 to $150, with fecal testing often adding about $25 to $60. If your vet recommends cultures, imaging, bloodwork, hospitalization, or emergency care, the cost range can rise quickly into the low hundreds or more. A realistic annual care budget for a healthy pair is often about $300 to $900, while a year with illness can exceed that. Asking your vet for written estimates helps you compare options and choose care that fits your goals and budget.

Call ducks do best on a complete commercial waterfowl or duck feed rather than scratch grains or mixed treats. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that growing waterfowl need higher protein early in life, then transition to a maintenance diet after 12 weeks that contains about 14% to 17% protein with appropriate vitamins and minerals. Ducklings should not be fed medicated chick starter unless your vet specifically says it is appropriate, because some products are not formulated for waterfowl.

Adult Call ducks usually do well on a maintenance pellet with constant access to clean drinking water deep enough to help them rinse their bills and eyes. If they are laying, your vet may recommend a ration with more calcium support or a separate calcium source, depending on the rest of the diet and the bird's reproductive history. Grit may also be needed if they eat anything beyond complete pellets, especially greens or forage.

Treats should stay limited. Leafy greens, chopped vegetables, and supervised foraging can add enrichment, but bread, salty snacks, spoiled produce, and moldy feed are poor choices. Because ducks are highly sensitive to some molds and toxins, feed should be stored dry, protected from rodents, and replaced promptly if it smells musty or gets wet.

Call ducks are active little birds that benefit from daily movement, foraging, and access to safe outdoor space. They are not marathon athletes, but they do need room to walk, dabble, explore, and interact with other ducks. A secure run with varied footing, shade, and shallow water access supports both physical and behavioral health.

Water access matters, but it does not have to mean a large pond. Many Call ducks do well with a clean kiddie pool, low tub, or other easy-entry water source that is refreshed often. Swimming helps with feather condition, normal preening, and enrichment. Because standing dirty water can increase disease risk, smaller containers that can be emptied and cleaned regularly are often easier for pet parents to manage.

This breed can fly better than many heavier domestic ducks, so exercise areas should be planned with that in mind. Covered runs, netting, or clipped wings may be discussed with your vet or an experienced bird professional depending on the setup. The goal is safe activity, not maximum freedom at any cost.

Preventive care for Call ducks starts with housing, hygiene, and observation. Cornell emphasizes biosecurity, quarantine of new birds, sanitation, and limiting contact with wild birds as key disease-prevention steps. Clean, dry bedding and good ventilation help reduce respiratory problems, while secure housing lowers predator stress and injury risk. Ducks over a few weeks of age can spend much of the day outdoors, but they still need shelter from weather extremes and a dry place to rest.

Routine wellness visits are valuable, especially if you keep a small backyard flock and may miss subtle signs of illness. Your vet may recommend fecal testing, parasite checks, weight tracking, and discussion of reproductive health if you have laying females. Prompt evaluation is important for limping, breathing changes, weakness, neurologic signs, diarrhea, eye discharge, or any sudden change in appetite or behavior.

Daily preventive habits make a real difference. Replace wet bedding, scrub water containers, store feed in sealed dry bins, and remove decaying organic matter from the environment. Quarantine new birds for several weeks before mixing them with your flock. If you live in an area with avian influenza activity or frequent wild waterfowl exposure, ask your vet what extra precautions make sense for your birds and your setup.