Breed Profile
Assorted Call Ducks
APAAssorted Call Ducks are a hatchery-choice assortment of the smallest domestic duck breed. At maturity, Call Ducks weigh less than 2 pounds, which makes them a favorite for customers who want small, lively, ornamental ducks with big personality.
Cackle Hatchery® offers Assorted Call Ducks for customers who enjoy bantam ducks, backyard pets, show-type ducks, and colorful small waterfowl. These ducks are friendly, inquisitive, and fun to watch.
Your order may include multiple colors or just one color, depending on current hatch and availability. Because this is a hatchery-choice assortment, Cackle Hatchery® selects the color varieties included in the order.
Breed Overview and Origin
Call Ducks were developed in the Netherlands during the 1600s. Their original purpose was to lure wild ducks for hunters with their loud quacking. That calling ability is where the breed gets its name.
Over time, Call Ducks moved from hunting use into ornamental, pet, and exhibition roles. Today, they are one of the most popular domestic duck breeds on the show circuit.
Although show conformation often favors especially short heads and short bills, Cackle Hatchery®’s Call Ducks tend to have a more natural shape. This more natural structure can help improve lifespan and the ability to produce young.
Appearance and Characteristics
Call Ducks are tiny, round, active ducks with an alert look and a lot of personality. They mature at less than 2 pounds, which makes them much smaller than standard domestic duck breeds.
The original Call Duck plumage looked similar to a Mallard, which makes sense because the breed derived from Mallard-type ducks. Since then, breeders have developed many color varieties.
Cackle Hatchery® may include the following color varieties in the Assorted Call Ducks offering:
Black
Blue
Gray
Pastel
Pencil
Snowy
White
Because this is an assortment, customers should not expect a specific color mix. Current availability determines which colors ship.
Temperament and Pet Value
Call Ducks are friendly, inquisitive, and entertaining. Their small size and curious behavior make them enjoyable pets for customers who want ducks with personality.
They can work well for families, hobby farms, ornamental flocks, and customers who enjoy active backyard waterfowl. However, customers should handle them gently because Call Duck ducklings are very small and delicate, especially during the first few weeks of life.
Like all ducks, they need clean water, proper feed, safe shelter, predator protection, and enough space to stay active and healthy.
Show and Exhibition Value
Call Ducks are the most popular domestic duck breed on the show circuit. Their small size, round shape, alert personality, and many color varieties make them especially appealing to exhibitors and hobby breeders.
Cackle Hatchery®’s Call Ducks tend to be more naturally shaped than extreme show-type birds. This makes them a practical choice for customers who want attractive Call Ducks with better long-term vigor and breeding ability rather than birds selected only for the shortest possible head and bill.
Customers interested in exhibition goals should study the current show standards and compare Call Duck varieties before building a breeding pen.
Egg Production and Broodiness
Call Duck hens lay small eggs that may be pale blue, pale green, or white. They usually lay 25 to 75 eggs per year, depending on the bird, season, daylight, feed, age, and flock management.
Call Duck hens rarely brood. However, when they do go broody, they can make good mothers.
This mothering ability matters because Call Duck ducklings are tiny and extremely delicate during their first few weeks. Customers should prepare a safe brooder, shallow water setup, proper feed, warmth, and dry bedding before ducklings arrive or hatch.
Foraging and Flight Ability
Call Ducks are superb foragers. They enjoy searching for greens, insects, and other small food items around safe outdoor areas.
They are also excellent flyers. Because of that, customers should plan their housing before ordering. A covered pen helps keep Call Ducks from flying around and also helps protect them from predators.
Their small size makes them more vulnerable to predators than larger ducks. Therefore, a secure covered pen is one of the best choices for keeping them safe.
Housing and Predator Protection
Call Ducks need secure housing because they are small, active, and able to fly. A covered pen helps solve two important problems: it keeps the ducks contained and protects them from predators.
A good Call Duck setup should include:
A covered pen or secure aviary-style enclosure
Predator-proof sides and top
Clean drinking water
Duck-appropriate feed
Dry shelter
Shade in hot weather
Protection from wind and storms
Safe bedding or dry resting areas
Enough room to forage and move around
Because Call Ducks are tiny, customers should pay close attention to gaps in fencing, loose wire, open tops, and predator entry points.
Duckling Care After Arrival
Call Duck ducklings are very small and delicate during their first few weeks of life. Therefore, customers should prepare the brooder before the ducklings arrive.
A proper brooder should include warmth, clean bedding, duckling feed, and safe water access. Ducklings must have water when they eat, but the water setup should prevent deep soaking or chilling.
Because Call Duck ducklings are so small, use shallow waterers and monitor them closely. Wet bedding, drafts, and chilling can quickly cause problems in tiny ducklings.
Assorted Call Ducks vs Specific Color Varieties
Choose Assorted Call Ducks if you want a hatchery-choice mix and enjoy the surprise of available colors. This option works well for customers who care more about the breed’s size, personality, and charm than choosing one exact color.
Choose a specific Call Duck color only if Cackle Hatchery® offers that color separately and you need a particular variety for a breeding or exhibition plan.
Because this assortment may include multiple colors or just one color, customers should order with flexibility.
Assorted Call Ducks vs Mallard Ducks
Call Ducks and Mallard Ducks are both small, active ducks with strong flight ability, but they serve different purposes.
Choose Assorted Call Ducks if you want tiny domestic ducks with pet value, show popularity, and hatchery-choice color variety.
Choose Mallards if you want a more natural wild-type duck for ponds, insect control, and farm waterfowl settings. Mallards are also strong flyers, but they have a different background and management purpose.
Both breeds need secure housing and predator protection.
Assorted Call Ducks vs Larger Domestic Ducks
Call Ducks are much smaller than standard domestic ducks such as Rouen Ducks, Pekin Ducks, or Silver Appleyard Ducks.
Choose Call Ducks if you want a small ornamental duck with personality, flight ability, and show appeal. Choose larger domestic ducks if you want more egg production, more meat value, or a heavier pond duck.
Call Ducks are best for customers who want charm, color, small size, and entertainment rather than maximum eggs or table size.
Is This Breed Right for You?
Choose Assorted Call Ducks if you want:
The smallest domestic duck breed
A friendly and inquisitive duck
A colorful hatchery-choice assortment
A tiny ornamental duck
A popular show duck breed
A good pet duck when handled gently
A superb forager
An excellent flyer
A duck for a covered pen or secure enclosure
A fun addition to a small waterfowl flock
This breed is not the best choice for customers who want heavy meat ducks, high egg production, non-flying ducks, or birds that can safely live in an uncovered pen.
Recognition and Availability
Cackle Hatchery® offers Assorted Call Ducks as a hatchery-choice assortment. Depending on availability, orders may include Black, Blue, Gray, Pastel, Pencil, Snowy, White, or another available mix from the listed assortment.
Customers may also want to compare Mallard Ducks, Rouen Ducks, Pekin Ducks, Silver Appleyard Ducks, and Cackle’s full Ducks for Sale category.
Related Ducks and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like this breed, you may also want to compare Mallard Ducks, Rouen Ducks, Pekin Ducks, Silver Appleyard Ducks, Hatchery Choice Duck Assortment, and Ducks for Sale.
Helpful Cackle resources include Duck Breeds List Comparison Chart, Sexing Ducklings and Goslings, Duck Eclipse and Nuptial Molts — What Do They Mean?, Chicken Guarantees and Policies, Cackle Hatchery FAQ, and Availability Chart.
FAQ: Assorted Call Ducks
What are Call Ducks?
Call Ducks are the smallest domestic duck breed. At maturity, they weigh less than 2 pounds.
Where did Call Ducks originate?
Call Ducks were developed in the Netherlands during the 1600s.
Why are they called Call Ducks?
Hunters originally used them to lure wild ducks with their loud quacking. That calling ability gave the breed its name.
Are Call Ducks good pets?
Yes. Call Ducks are friendly, inquisitive, and entertaining, which makes them great pets when customers handle and manage them properly.
Are Call Ducks good show birds?
Yes. Call Ducks are the most popular domestic duck breed on the show circuit.
Are Cackle Hatchery® Call Ducks extreme show type?
Cackle Hatchery®’s Call Ducks tend to have a more natural shape, which can support better lifespan and better ability to produce young.
How much do Call Ducks weigh?
At maturity, Call Ducks weigh less than 2 pounds.
What colors can come in Assorted Call Ducks?
The assortment may include Black, Blue, Gray, Pastel, Pencil, Snowy, and White Call Ducks, depending on availability.
Will my order include multiple colors?
It may include multiple colors or just one color, depending on current availability.
Can I choose the colors in my Assorted Call Duck order?
No. This is a hatchery-choice assortment, so Cackle Hatchery® chooses the colors based on availability.
What color eggs do Call Ducks lay?
Call Duck hens may lay pale blue, pale green, or white eggs.
How many eggs do Call Ducks lay?
Call Duck hens usually lay between 25 and 75 eggs per year.
Do Call Ducks go broody?
They rarely brood, but when they do, they can make good mothers.
Are Call Duck ducklings delicate?
Yes. Call Duck ducklings are tiny and extremely delicate during their first few weeks of life.
Are Call Ducks good foragers?
Yes. Call Ducks are superb foragers.
Can Call Ducks fly?
Yes. Call Ducks are excellent flyers.
Do Call Ducks need a covered pen?
Yes. A covered pen helps keep them from flying around and protects them from predators.
Are Call Ducks vulnerable to predators?
Yes. Their small size makes predator protection especially important.
Where can I check availability?
Check Cackle’s Availability Chart for current ordering options.
