Apricot Dusky Call Duck: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

Apricot Dusky Call Ducks are a color variety of the Call duck, a very small domestic duck developed from the Netherlands and kept mainly for companionship, exhibition, and ornamental flocks. Adult Call ducks are tiny compared with most backyard ducks, usually weighing about 1 to 2 pounds. They are alert, expressive birds with a rounded body, short bill, and a famously loud voice, so noise tolerance matters before bringing them home.

In temperament, many Call ducks are lively, curious, and people-aware. With regular gentle handling, they can become tame and interactive, but they are usually more active and vocal than heavier utility breeds. Because they are social waterfowl, they do best with other ducks rather than alone. A pair or small same-species group is usually easier on their stress level than solitary housing.

Their small size is charming, but it also changes care needs. Call ducks can fly better than many larger domestic ducks, so secure fencing or covered runs are often needed. They also need clean water for drinking and head-dipping, dry resting areas, predator-safe housing, and a nutritionally complete waterfowl diet. For pet parents, this breed is usually a better fit for attentive hobby care than for egg production.

Apricot Dusky Call Ducks do not have a long list of color-specific inherited diseases documented in major veterinary references, but they share several important health risks seen in small domestic ducks. Foot problems are high on the list. Pododermatitis, often called bumblefoot, can develop when ducks spend too much time on hard, wet, dirty, or abrasive surfaces. Early cases may look like mild swelling or redness, while advanced cases can involve scabs, abscesses, lameness, and deeper infection.

Nutrition-related leg and joint problems are another concern, especially in ducklings. Ducks have higher niacin needs than chickens, and deficiency can contribute to bowed legs, enlarged hocks, poor growth, and trouble walking. Moldy feed and damp bedding also matter. Ducks are particularly sensitive to feed contamination and fungal exposure, which can contribute to toxin exposure or respiratory disease such as aspergillosis.

Like other ducks, Call ducks can also develop parasite burdens, reproductive problems, obesity from overfeeding treats, and infectious disease related to poor biosecurity. Because they are small and often kept as pets, subtle changes can be easy to miss. See your vet promptly if your duck has limping, labored breathing, tail-bobbing, weakness, reduced appetite, diarrhea, neurologic signs, or a sudden drop in normal activity. Fast action matters with birds because they often hide illness until they are quite sick.

Apricot Dusky Call Ducks are usually more costly to acquire than common backyard duck breeds because Call ducks are specialty ornamental birds. In the US, hatchery pricing for Call ducklings in 2025 to 2026 commonly runs about $35 for assorted unsexed ducklings and about $45 for specific color varieties, before local taxes or any add-on supplies. Since ducks should not be kept alone, many pet parents should plan on starting with at least two birds, putting the bird-only cost range around $70 to $90 for a pair.

Startup costs are often higher than the ducklings themselves. A predator-resistant night house, secure run, water setup, bedding, feeder, and transport carrier commonly bring a realistic starter cost range to about $300 to $700 for a small pair, depending on whether you build or buy. If you need covered fencing because your Call ducks can fly, setup costs can climb further.

Ongoing monthly care is usually moderate but steady. Feed, bedding, waterer replacement, and routine supplies often total about $20 to $50 per month for two small ducks. Veterinary costs vary widely by region and avian experience. A wellness visit may run about $75 to $150, fecal testing about $25 to $60, and treatment for problems like foot infections or respiratory disease can range from roughly $150 to $600 or more depending on diagnostics, medications, and follow-up. Emergency care can exceed that, so a pet emergency fund is wise.

Call ducks need a complete waterfowl diet, not a bread-based or treat-heavy feeding plan. Ducklings need a higher-protein starter ration, while adults do well on a maintenance waterfowl pellet after growth. Major veterinary references note that growing waterfowl need more protein than adults, and adult maintenance diets generally fall around 14% to 17% protein. Clean drinking water should always be available, and ducks need enough depth to rinse feed from their bills and clean their nostrils and eyes.

Niacin is especially important in ducks. Ducklings are more sensitive than chickens to niacin deficiency, and low intake can contribute to leg deformities and enlarged hock joints. If a pet parent is using a feed not formulated for ducks, it is worth asking your vet whether the ration is appropriate and whether supplementation is needed. Homemade diets and frequent scratch grains can create nutrient gaps quickly.

For adults, treats should stay limited and should not crowd out balanced feed. Leafy greens can add enrichment, but diets based mostly on lettuce, corn, or bread can lead to poor feather quality, swollen joints, and foot problems. Feed should also be stored carefully. Damp or moldy feed should be discarded right away because ducks are vulnerable to mold-related illness and toxin exposure.

Apricot Dusky Call Ducks are active little birds that benefit from daily movement, foraging time, and access to safe outdoor space. They are not endurance animals, but they do best when they can walk, dabble, explore, and interact with flockmates throughout the day. A secure run with grass, soft ground, shade, and shallow water access supports both physical activity and normal duck behavior.

Because Call ducks are lightweight, they may fly better than many larger domestic breeds. That means exercise areas should be planned with safety in mind. Some households use covered runs or enclosed yards to reduce escape and predator risk. Open ponds without secure fencing can be risky for a bird this small.

Mental activity matters too. Rotating browse, supervised yard time, shallow tubs for splashing, and scattered greens can help prevent boredom. If a duck becomes sedentary, gains excess weight, or spends too much time on damp, dirty ground, the risk of foot and feather problems can rise. If your duck seems exercise-intolerant, weak, or off balance, ask your vet to look for pain, nutritional issues, or illness rather than assuming it is normal behavior.

Preventive care for Apricot Dusky Call Ducks starts with housing. They need a dry, draft-protected shelter at night, secure predator-proof fencing, clean bedding, and good ventilation. Wet litter and poor airflow raise the risk of foot disease, parasite buildup, and respiratory problems. Because infectious disease can spread through backyard flocks, good biosecurity matters too. Limit contact with unfamiliar birds, clean equipment regularly, and ask your vet how to handle quarantine for any new arrivals.

Routine observation is one of the most useful tools for pet parents. Watch gait, appetite, droppings, feather condition, breathing effort, and social behavior. Small ducks can decline quickly, so subtle changes deserve attention. Regular weight checks can also help catch illness early, especially in a breed that normally weighs only about 1 to 2 pounds.

Preventive veterinary care is still valuable even for apparently healthy ducks. Your vet may recommend fecal screening, parasite control when indicated, and guidance on nutrition, breeding risks, and local infectious disease concerns. Foot checks should be part of normal handling. Catching redness, swelling, or a small scab early can be far easier than treating advanced bumblefoot later. If your area has active poultry disease alerts, follow state and veterinary guidance closely.