Cole Duck: A Unique and Adorable Pet Fairy

In the colorful world of pets, the Cole Duck, with its tiny and delicate figure and endearing appearance, is like a shining new star, attracting the attention of numerous pet enthusiasts. Today, let's step into the wonderful world of the Cole Duck together and explore the stories behind this unique pet. 

I. The Origin and Development of the Call Duck

The Call Duck is native to the Netherlands. Initially, it was bred as a "decoy duck" for hunting purposes. Hunters used their calls to attract other wild ducks, facilitating their hunting activities. Due to its small size and gentle temperament, it gradually began to be kept as a pet. Subsequently, through generations of breeding and improvement, the Call Duck has spread widely around the world and become a popular pet breed. Especially in Asian regions such as Japan, South Korea, and China, the enthusiasm for raising Call Ducks has been on the rise, and more and more people are attracted by their unique charm. 

II. Physical Characteristics of the Call Duck

The most distinctive feature of the Call Duck is its small and delicate size. An adult Call Duck typically measures about 20 - 30 centimeters in length and weighs only 540 - 740 grams. Compared to common domestic ducks, it is truly a "tiny one". Their heads are round, with large and bright eyes, resembling two black gemstones, revealing a sense of alertness and cuteness. Their beaks are short and flat, usually black or yellow in color.

The feathers of the Call Duck come in a rich variety of colors. Common ones include white, gray, and khaki. A white Call Duck has feathers as white as snow, giving a feeling of purity and innocence. A gray Call Duck seems to be wearing a mysterious veil, exuding a unique charm. The khaki Call Duck is even more unique, full of a natural atmosphere. Each color of the Call Duck has its own special allure, making it hard to resist.

With their small figures, they are light and agile in movement. When they walk, they waddle as if dancing a cheerful dance. Every move reveals their cuteness and playfulness, making people can't help but want to get close to them. 

III. Living Habits of the Call Duck

1.Dietary Preferences

Call ducks are omnivores, and their diet is highly diverse. In the natural environment, they mainly feed on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and shrimp. In an artificial breeding environment, we can provide them with specialized duck feed as the staple food. Duck feed is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can meet the growth and development needs of call ducks. At the same time, we can appropriately feed them some fresh vegetables and fruits, such as green vegetables, Chinese cabbages, apples, bananas, etc., to supplement vitamins and dietary fiber and promote digestion. In addition, we can occasionally feed them some cooked rice, breadcrumbs, etc., but be careful not to overfeed to avoid indigestion.

Dried black soldier fly larvae are also one of the favorite foods of call ducks. They are rich in high - quality protein, which is of great help to the growth and feather development of call ducks. However, when feeding dried black soldier fly larvae, pay attention to the appropriate amount and ensure the quality of the dried larvae to avoid health problems caused by eating spoiled ones.

Call Ducks Eating Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

In the breeding of call ducks, the choice of food is of crucial importance. Dried black soldier fly larvae are gradually becoming a popular choice.

Dried black soldier fly larvae are rich in various nutrients, providing excellent support for the growth of call ducks. They have an extremely high protein content. Protein is a fundamental substance that makes up the body cells of call ducks, facilitating the smooth growth of feathers and the robust development of muscles. The abundant fat provides sufficient energy for the daily lively and active nature of call ducks, enabling them to play and explore with full vitality. At the same time, they also contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which are of great significance for the healthy development of call ducks' bones and can effectively prevent bone diseases.

There are many benefits for call ducks to eat dried black soldier fly larvae. Compared with some live insects, dried black soldier fly larvae are easy to store. They can be stored for a long time just by placing them in a dry and cool place, which is convenient for owners to take at any time. Moreover, they are relatively hygienic. The processed dried larvae reduce the risk of carrying germs and parasites, lowering the probability of call ducks getting sick. In terms of palatability, call ducks seem to be very fond of this delicacy. Every time they are fed, we can see their cute appearance of actively scrambling for it.

However, when feeding dried black soldier fly larvae, the principle of moderation should also be followed. We can't just feed them dried larvae alone. Other foods also need to be paired, such as specialized duck feed to ensure the intake of carbohydrates, and fresh vegetables to supplement vitamins and dietary fiber. Only in this way can call ducks obtain comprehensive and balanced nutrition and grow healthily and robustly. 

2.Activity Characteristics

Despite their small size, call ducks are extremely lively and active, and they enjoy moving around in spacious areas. They are good at running and jumping, and also love to play in the water. When raising call ducks, we need to provide them with a sufficiently large space for activities. This could be an indoor duck coop or a small outdoor yard. In the duck coop, some toys and obstacles such as small balls and branches should be placed to give the call ducks enough space to play and exercise. At the same time, a shallow pool should also be provided so that they can swim and bathe at any time to keep their bodies clean.

Call ducks have relatively short sleep times, and they are usually active during both the day and night. However, at night, they still need a quiet and warm environment to rest. Therefore, we should lay soft bedding materials such as hay and wood chips in the duck coop to enable them to sleep comfortably.

3. Personality Traits

Call ducks have a gentle temperament and are very friendly towards humans. They can easily build an intimate relationship with people and like to interact and play with their owners. When the owner approaches, they will run over actively and gently peck the owner's hand with their beaks, as if acting coquettishly towards the owner. Call ducks also have a certain ability to recognize their owners. After being raised for a period of time, they can remember the owner's voice and smell, and will show special dependence on the owner.

In addition, call ducks can get along well with each other, and they rarely engage in fighting behavior. When raising multiple call ducks, they will keep each other company, play together, and look for food, forming a harmonious small group. 

IV. Key Points of Call Duck Rearing

1.Construction of the Duck Coop

Building a comfortable and safe duck coop is crucial for raising call ducks. The size of the duck coop should be determined according to the number of ducks being raised and the available space. Generally, each call duck requires at least 0.5 square meters of activity space. The duck coop can be made of materials such as wood, plastic, or metal, and it is necessary to ensure good ventilation, dryness, and hygiene.

Inside the duck coop, a resting area and an activity area should be set up. Soft bedding materials like hay and wood chips can be laid in the resting area to enable the call ducks to rest comfortably. Toys and obstacles can be placed in the activity area to increase the fun of the call ducks' activities. At the same time, a shallow pool should also be set up in the duck coop. The depth of the pool should be appropriate to ensure that the call ducks can move freely in the water without the risk of drowning.

2. Temperature and Humidity Control

Call ducks have relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity. In the duckling stage, they need a relatively high temperature to maintain their body temperature. Generally, the brooding temperature should be controlled between 28 - 32°C. As the ducklings grow, the temperature can be gradually decreased. The suitable living temperature for adult call ducks is between 15 - 25°C. Either too high or too low a temperature will affect their health.

In addition, the humidity in the duck coop should also be maintained within an appropriate range, generally controlled between 50% - 70%. Excessively high humidity can easily lead to the growth of bacteria and the outbreak of diseases. Excessively low humidity will make the skin and feathers of call ducks dry, affecting their health and appearance.

3. Disease Prevention and Treatment

Regular health checks for call ducks are an important measure for disease prevention. We need to observe the mental state, diet, and feces of call ducks, and detect and handle any abnormal situations in a timely manner. At the same time, the duck coop should be regularly cleaned and disinfected to maintain a hygienic environment. Special disinfectants can be used to spray the duck coop, and disinfection should be carried out at least 1 - 2 times a week.

During the rearing process, if call ducks show symptoms such as loss of appetite, listlessness, and fluffed feathers, they may be ill. At this time, we should take the call ducks to a pet hospital for examination and treatment in a timely manner. Do not administer medicine to call ducks on your own to avoid aggravating the condition due to improper use of medicine.

V. Reproduction and Hatching of Call Ducks

1.Reproductive Preparation

When call ducks reach 4 - 6 months old, they reach sexual maturity and can start to reproduce. Before breeding, we need to select suitable mates for the call ducks. Generally, choose call ducks with a healthy body shape, gentle temperament, and distant blood relations for pairing. This can improve the quality of the offspring.

At the same time, a quiet and comfortable breeding environment should be provided for the call ducks. A special breeding box can be set up in the duck coop. Soft bedding materials such as hay and cotton are laid in the breeding box to provide a warm and safe place for call ducks to lay eggs.

2. Egg - laying and Hatching

Call ducks generally lay eggs in spring and autumn, with each clutch containing about 6 - 12 eggs. After the female duck lays eggs, we can choose either natural hatching or artificial hatching. During natural hatching, the female duck will incubate the eggs by herself. We only need to provide the female duck with enough food and water, and keep the duck coop quiet and warm.

For artificial hatching, a specialized incubator is required. Before hatching, the duck eggs need to be disinfected. The duck eggs can be soaked in a diluted potassium permanganate solution for 5 - 10 minutes, and then rinsed clean with water. Put the disinfected duck eggs into the incubator and set the appropriate temperature and humidity. The hatching temperature is generally controlled between 37.5 - 38.5°C, and the humidity is controlled between 50% - 60%. During the hatching process, the duck eggs should be turned regularly, at least 3 - 5 times a day, to ensure even heat distribution. After 26 - 28 days of incubation, the baby call ducks will hatch. 

VI. The Significance and Value of Call Ducks as Pets

1.Emotional Companionship

With their cute appearance and gentle temperament, call ducks have become intimate companions in people's lives. They can bring endless joy and warmth to their owners, relieving the stress of daily life. Whether it's after a busy day at work or during a leisurely weekend, playing and interacting with call ducks can make people feel a pure kind of happiness, enhancing the emotional communication between humans and animals.

2. Educational Significance

Raising call ducks is a very meaningful educational experience for children. Through observing the living habits, feeding process, reproduction, and hatching of call ducks, children can understand the laws of animal growth and development, cultivating their observation skills, sense of responsibility, and love. At the same time, close contact with call ducks allows children to get closer to nature, strengthening their love for and awareness of protecting the natural world.

3. Social Topic

As a unique type of pet, call ducks can also become a popular topic in social settings. Owning a cute call duck not only attracts the attention of others but also enables the owner to meet more like - minded friends. By communicating and sharing with other call - duck breeders, people can learn from each other's breeding experiences, jointly explore call - duck breeding techniques, and enrich their social circles.

In conclusion, call ducks, with their unique charm, have become a shining star in the pet world. They not only bring endless joy and companionship but also have important educational significance and social value. If you also like these cute little creatures, why not try raising one and let them add a special touch to your life.

It is hoped that this blog post about call ducks can help you understand and love this unique pet better. If you have any interesting stories or experiences during the process of raising call ducks, please feel free to share them in the comment section! Let's jointly experience the joy and warmth brought by call ducks.