Silver Call Duck: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

Silver Call Ducks are a color variety of the Call duck, a bantam duck breed known for its tiny body, rounded head, and lively voice. In the U.S., Call ducks are most often kept as ornamental birds, companion animals, or exhibition ducks rather than for meat or heavy egg production. Adult Call ducks usually weigh about 1 to 2 pounds, making them one of the smallest domestic duck types. They are alert, social, and often very interactive with people when raised gently from a young age.

Silver Call Ducks tend to do best with other ducks, secure housing, and daily access to clean water deep enough to rinse their eyes and nostrils. Their small size is appealing, but it also means they are more vulnerable to predators and weather stress than larger utility breeds. Many can fly better than heavier ducks, so fenced or covered runs are often needed.

Temperament is usually friendly, curious, and vocal. Some pet parents find them charming and entertaining, while others are surprised by how noisy they can be. They are not ideal for every suburban setup. If you want a small duck with lots of personality and you can provide safe housing, flock companionship, and attentive daily care, a Silver Call Duck can be a rewarding fit.

Silver Call Ducks do not have many health problems unique to their color variety, but they share several important risks seen in Call ducks and other domestic waterfowl. One practical concern is conformation. Some Call ducks have been bred for very short, broad heads and short bills, and breeders have noted that more moderate head shape may support better fertility, hatchability, and longevity. That does not mean every Silver Call Duck will have a problem, but it does mean careful sourcing matters.

Common day-to-day health issues include niacin deficiency in ducklings, bumblefoot, respiratory disease linked to poor ventilation or mold, and parasite or infectious disease exposure from wild birds. Ducks are more severely affected by niacin deficiency than chickens, and affected birds may develop weak growth, enlarged hock joints, and bowed legs. Bumblefoot can develop when ducks spend too much time on rough, dirty, or wet footing, especially if they have minor foot injuries. Moldy bedding or feed can contribute to aspergillosis, while stagnant water and decaying organic matter increase toxin risks such as botulism.

See your vet immediately if your duck is open-mouth breathing, suddenly weak, unable to stand, has green or bloody diarrhea, shows swelling in the feet or joints, or stops eating. Ducks often hide illness until they are quite sick. Early veterinary guidance is especially important for small breeds because dehydration, trauma, and infectious disease can progress quickly.

Silver Call Ducks are small, but their care is not low-effort. In the U.S. market in 2025 and early 2026, Call ducklings commonly cost about $35 to $45 each, depending on whether color is assorted or specified. Hatching eggs for Call ducks are often sold around $20 to $36+, depending on quantity and color line. Because ducks are social, most pet parents should plan for at least two compatible ducks rather than one.

Housing is usually the biggest startup expense. A secure coop and predator-resistant run can range from about $300 to $1,200+, depending on whether you build it yourself or buy a ready-made setup. Feed is an ongoing cost. A 50-lb bag of waterfowl feed currently runs roughly $25 to $50, depending on brand and life stage. Bedding, pools or water tubs, fencing, and seasonal weather protection add to the monthly budget.

Routine veterinary access can also be a limiting factor, because not every clinic sees ducks. A wellness visit may run about $75 to $150, while diagnostics, wound care, or emergency treatment can raise costs quickly into the $200 to $800+ range. Before bringing home Silver Call Ducks, it helps to identify your vet, estimate feed and housing costs, and budget for unexpected illness or predator injury.

Silver Call Ducks need a complete waterfowl diet matched to their age and life stage. Ducklings should not be raised on unsupplemented chicken feed alone because ducks have higher niacin needs. A balanced duck or waterfowl starter is the safest foundation, and some commercial feeds specifically note added niacin for healthy growth and bone development. Adult non-breeding ducks do well on a maintenance waterfowl ration, while laying ducks may need a layer or breeder formula with appropriate calcium.

As a practical 2025-2026 U.S. cost range, expect about $25 to $30 for a 50-lb basic duck/goose feed and around $48 to $50 for premium waterfowl maintenance or breeder diets. Small ducks eat less than large breeds, but they still need fresh feed stored in a dry, rodent-proof container. Wet, moldy feed should be discarded right away because ducks are especially sensitive to some feed toxins.

Offer clean drinking water at all times, deep enough for your ducks to submerge their bills and clear their nostrils. Treats should stay limited and should never replace balanced feed. Chopped greens can be a nice enrichment option, but bread, salty snacks, and spoiled produce are poor choices. If your duck is growing slowly, limping, laying poorly, or losing weight, ask your vet to review the diet and feeding setup.

Silver Call Ducks have moderate exercise needs, but they benefit from daily movement, foraging time, and safe water access. They are active little birds that enjoy exploring, dabbling, and social interaction with flockmates. Because Call ducks can fly better than many heavier breeds, exercise areas should be secure from both ground and aerial predators.

A good setup includes dry walking space, shaded areas, and water for bathing or at least head-dipping. Ducks do not need a pond to stay healthy, but they do need enough water to clean their eyes and nostrils and enough room to move naturally. Slippery surfaces, deep mud, and constantly wet bedding can all contribute to foot and skin problems.

Mental activity matters too. Rotating shallow tubs, supervised yard time, scattered greens, and safe foraging opportunities can reduce boredom. If your Silver Call Duck becomes less active, isolates from the flock, or seems reluctant to walk, that is not a normal personality quirk. It is a reason to contact your vet and check for pain, injury, nutritional imbalance, or illness.

Preventive care for Silver Call Ducks starts with biosecurity, housing, and observation. Keep new birds quarantined before introducing them to your flock. Limit contact with wild waterfowl when possible, since wild birds can spread serious infectious disease. Cornell’s duck health guidance also emphasizes keeping out contaminated equipment, crates, and footwear, and using clean clothing and boots when moving between bird areas.

Good ventilation is another major preventive step. Ducks create a lot of moisture, so stale, damp air can quickly become a health problem. Housing should stay dry, draft-conscious, and well ventilated. Clean water containers daily, remove wet bedding promptly, and do not allow feed to become moldy. Avoid exposing ducks to insecticides, rodenticides, or other chemicals unless your vet confirms they are safe around waterfowl.

At home, watch body condition, appetite, droppings, footpads, breathing, and mobility. Small changes matter. A yearly wellness visit with your vet is a smart baseline, and earlier visits are warranted for limping, weight loss, breathing changes, poor feather condition, or reduced activity. Preventive care is often the most affordable care, especially in ducks, where illness can become advanced before obvious signs appear.