Call Ducks

[Foxx]

Hi,

We have just taken delivery of our first pair of beautiful Apricot Calls. Their job is to roam around our vegetable garden, hopefully hoovering up the miryad of slugs we get in there. The only problem is getting them into their house each night, as they are very fox vulnerable. Other than terrorising the poor little things by catching them each evening, is there any way they can be 'trained' like hens to go in ?

Thanks, Foxx

 

[duckiedee]

hi foxx

i have 4 call ducks, 2 white. 1 apricot and a chocolate one.
when we first got them they were a little disoriented because they had previously been left in a field without a house! now they have a run which contains a house and a pond and plenty of space to waddle about in !

it took a while for them to realise that they had somewhere to go into at night to sleep and be safe from the foxes etc. for the first week or 2 i physically went in and put them into the house one by one! they soon cottoned on that when it went dark and i came out to the run it was bedtime. Now when they hear me approaching they walk up the ramp to the house one by one and wait for me to close the door

I think its just time and patience. they are fairly fast learners but just need the odd bit of encouragement and the odd bribe with mealworms!

this may not be of help to you but hope it give you some hope !

 

[foxy]

I agree with Duckiedee. It does take a little patience and they are certainly not as co-operative as chickens. I find my ducks like a routine, to encourage them I feed a little wheat by their duck house to get them at least closer, then gently herd them in.

Welcome to the forum btw Duckidee and Foxx! 99 99

 

[duckiedee]

Thanks Foxy
I discovered this forum by accident when i was searching for info on call ducks. It's been quite informative and useful so far!

I have two fertile eggs in my incubator at the moment with 10 days to go!!! .....it's my first time hatching so a little nervous and needed a little reassurance that I am doing things properly!....can't wait lol

 

[Foxx]

Thanks Foxy, Duckidee, thats really good advice, and has reassured me and my Missus! We are so taken with our little pair already. I would attach some photos but dont know how !

Any other info and or tips would be greatly accepted, particularly two things; any links or advice on ponds would be good they have a temporary little trough as a pond at the minute, but if there are 'purpose built ones' out there, Im yet to find them!

Secondly, they are not taking much of the food im giving them (wheat and a little layers mash), and seem too busy rooting in the grass and sifting in the mud, which I assume is all good and normal (mealworms is a good tip)!

Foxx

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Your Calls sound amazing Try them with pellets rather than mash, duckies have trouble with mash.

 

[duckiedee]

I agree with dorsetduckowner ...mine are fed on layer pellets as a staple diet.