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

Apricot Mallard Call Ducks are a color variety within the Call Duck type, a very small domestic duck developed from mallard-derived lines. Most adult Call Ducks weigh about 1 to 2 pounds, making them much smaller than common backyard ducks. Their compact size, rounded head, and loud voice make them popular with hobby flocks and pet parents who want ornamental ducks with big personalities.

Temperament is usually lively, social, alert, and vocal. Many Call Ducks are curious and people-aware, but they are not couch pets. They do best in pairs or small groups, with secure outdoor housing, clean water deep enough to rinse their eyes and nostrils, and protection from predators. Because they are light-bodied and can fly well, fencing and covered runs matter more for this breed than for heavier ducks.

The apricot mallard pattern is mostly about appearance rather than a separate health profile. In daily life, care needs are similar to other Call Ducks: species-appropriate waterfowl feed, dry footing, shade, weather protection, and regular observation for foot problems, breathing changes, weakness, or appetite loss. Their small size can make them easier to house, but it does not make them low-maintenance.

Call Ducks are not known for one single breed-specific disease, but their body size and husbandry needs make several problems more likely. Bumblefoot and other foot injuries are common when ducks live on wet, dirty, or abrasive surfaces. Aspergillosis can develop after exposure to moldy bedding or damp feed and may cause gasping, listlessness, and dehydration. Nutritional problems, especially poor feather quality, swollen joints, and pododermatitis, can happen when ducks are fed bread, corn, lettuce-only diets, or chicken feed instead of waterfowl-appropriate rations.

Like other ducks, they can also be affected by infectious diseases such as duck viral enteritis, Riemerella anatipestifer infection, and avian cholera, especially in mixed-age flocks, poor sanitation, or situations with wild bird exposure. Botulism is another serious risk around stagnant water, carcasses, or decaying organic matter. In laying females, egg binding and reproductive strain are practical concerns your vet may discuss if a duck is lethargic, straining, or suddenly off feed.

Because Call Ducks are small, they may show decline quickly. See your vet promptly for labored breathing, green or bloody diarrhea, weakness, inability to stand, a drooping neck, sudden weight loss, or a hot swollen foot. Early supportive care often matters as much as the final diagnosis.

A healthy Call Duck duckling from a US hatchery commonly falls around $35 to $45 each, with named color varieties often near the top of that range. That means a starter pair may cost $70 to $90 before brooder supplies, housing, fencing, feeders, waterers, and predator protection. For many pet parents, the real first-year cost is the setup: a secure coop or night house, enclosed run, bedding, feed storage, and water-safe cleaning routine. A modest home setup often lands around $300 to $900+, depending on whether you build or buy.

Ongoing monthly costs are usually moderate but steady. Feed, bedding, grit or supplements if advised by your vet, and water-system upkeep often total about $20 to $60 per month for a small pair or trio. Seasonal costs can rise if you add heat-safe brooder equipment for ducklings, replace muddy substrate, or reinforce predator barriers.

Veterinary costs vary widely by region because ducks often need an avian or exotic animal clinic. A wellness exam may run about $115 to $135, rechecks around $80, fecal testing often $25 to $45, and urgent or emergency exams can start around $185 to $320+ before diagnostics or treatment. If your duck needs imaging, lab work, wound care, hospitalization, or surgery, the cost range can move into the hundreds to low thousands. Planning ahead for emergency care is wise with small waterfowl.

Apricot Mallard Call Ducks should eat a commercial waterfowl diet, not a chicken ration as their main food. Merck notes that growing waterfowl up to 8 weeks need a starter diet with 25% to 28% protein, then a transition period from 8 to 12 weeks, and after 12 weeks a maintenance diet with about 14% to 17% protein and 3% to 6% fat. During breeding season, protein may be increased under your vet's or flock advisor's guidance.

Bread, cracked corn, and lettuce-only feeding are common mistakes. These foods can fill a duck up without meeting vitamin, mineral, and protein needs. Poor diets are linked with poor plumage, swollen joints, and foot problems. Ducklings are especially sensitive to nutritional imbalance, so pet parents should be cautious about homemade feeding plans unless your vet has reviewed them.

Fresh, clean water must always be available, and it should be deep enough for ducks to rinse their nostrils and eyes while eating. Offer treats sparingly and keep them as a small part of the total diet. If your duck is overweight, laying heavily, growing poorly, or has chronic soft stools, ask your vet to review the exact feed, treats, and feeding schedule rather than changing the diet on your own.

Call Ducks are active little foragers. They need daily space to walk, dabble, explore, and interact with other ducks. Even though they are tiny, they are not apartment animals. A secure outdoor run with dry resting areas, shade, and access to clean water supports both physical and behavioral health.

Because this breed can fly much better than heavier domestic ducks, activity planning has to include safety. Covered runs, netting, or wing-management discussions with your vet may come up depending on your setup and local regulations. Predator risk is high for small ducks, so free-ranging should be thoughtful and supervised when possible.

Exercise also helps with weight control and foot health. Ducks that spend all day on hard, dirty, or cramped surfaces are more likely to develop sore feet and reduced mobility. Rotating foraging areas, keeping bedding dry, and giving them safe enrichment like shallow pools, supervised greens, and scatter feeding can make a big difference.

Preventive care for Apricot Mallard Call Ducks starts with husbandry. Keep bedding dry, store feed so it stays fresh and mold-free, clean water containers often, and avoid stagnant water or decaying organic matter that can increase toxin and infection risk. Separate age groups when possible, quarantine new birds before introducing them, and limit contact with wild waterfowl.

Biosecurity matters in the United States because highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to affect wild birds and backyard flocks. Good prevention includes keeping feed and water away from wild birds, changing shoes or using dedicated footwear in bird areas, washing hands after handling birds, and contacting your vet quickly if you see sudden illness or unexplained deaths.

Schedule routine wellness visits with your vet if you have access to avian care, especially for breeding birds, chronic foot issues, repeated egg-laying problems, or any flock with recurring diarrhea or respiratory signs. At home, do a quick daily check for appetite, posture, droppings, gait, breathing effort, and foot condition. Small changes are often the earliest warning signs in ducks.