Advice needed about adopting a couple of runners

[Miss Lydia]

Thx miss lydia.
Thats what the one female did when.i got her a new sister after we list the little white runner. I had the new female in the carrier still and they wanted to meet thro the carrier and where making happy noises, so decided to see what happened and they ran.off together within seconds chattering away and foreging. 10 mins later they were swimming together

 

[Hil54]

Another thing I love about Runners is of an evening when everyone starts going in if one doesn’t go in with the rest Snoop the drake will come out and get her. I have three Runner duckling come end of April can’t wait to see how everyone takes

Ohhh that is so cute. He watches over them. Oh im sure they will love the ducklings.. lovely to look forward too. Will look forward to seeing the babe pics

 

[Miss Lydia]

Love to see pics of yours too please!

 

[Hil54]

Love to see pics of yours too please!

Will get some up asap for sure

 

[DuckyDonna]

I've had to introduce runners into my flock over the past few months. The 2 new girls were a bit stand offish at first but the first night together all 6 of them marched right into the pen together. Then the first of February I found them a little chocolate runner drake and he too was seamless to integrate with the 6 girls. All 7 filed into the pen that first night no problem and they all get along great. I wouldn't worry about them not getting along especially since there is only 1 drake. You'll enjoy having them. They are such funny little ducks and a joy to sit and watch.

 

[Callender Girl]

In an effort to add more females last year, I acquired three "girl" ducklings. One turned out to be a male, and the three formed their own sub-flock. Lane would march his two girls into a separate coop at night and hang out with them in the daytime.

By winter, all nine ducks -- three drakes, two of which were ducklings together, and six hens -- were happily housing together, and all three boys "share" the girls. There is very, very little trouble among the boys, who will often wait their turn in line (it's weird, actually) to breed with a particular hen.

I can't imagine you won't fall in love with runners.

 

[Hil54]

I've had to introduce runners into my flock over the past few months. The 2 new girls were a bit stand offish at first but the first night together all 6 of them marched right into the pen together. Then the first of February I found them a little chocolate runner drake and he too was seamless to integrate with the 6 girls. All 7 filed into the pen that first night no problem and they all get along great. I wouldn't worry about them not getting along especially since there is only 1 drake. You'll enjoy having them. They are such funny little ducks and a joy to sit and watch.

Thanks for that.. the drake and his girlfriend arrived yesterday. They seem fine with my two girls. The drake is a little protective over his female that he grew up with and seems to try to chase off the black girls, while the black girls and new female are fine together, but this will sort in a few days im sure. He is scared stiff of one of my tiny sabelpoot hens haha. If he gets too much towards my girl runners then she chases him around the garden .
They need to know their place in the group and the females together are fine. They did sleep in different places yesterday so not together .. that being their choice which is fine. Im just observing and not getting involved unless things get way out of hand.. they need peace to settle things outside themselves but they are doing fine

 

[Hil54]

Heres some pics as promised @Miss Lydia
Black girls were here already .. drake and brown female are new adopted babes.. well babes they are 2yrs old.. black females 1 yr old

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are beautiful!! How’s everyone doing? From here looks like they are blending well.

 

[Hil54]

They are beautiful!! How’s everyone doing? From here looks like they are blending well.

The drake is a bit restless. He keeps chasing off my black females when they get close to his female he grew up with when she is around him. When his female is foreging with my black females he does nothing.. just stands nearby keeping watch on the area.... im sure this will pass in time. They have only been here a day. The drake has been with his female since small .. so 2 yrs now. The female is loving the female company but is also hanging on to him for support in between which I can comprend.. well I can comprend the whole thing and where he is coming from.

If he gets too much and starts grabbing them on their feathers, he gets a jet of water from the garden hose. If after that he adjusts I tell him how good he is and he seems to settle.
My tiny grey chicken chases him off if he gets too rough with my black ladies too. Handy I have support out back if Im out doing shopping

Im sure with time it will settle .. I hope