Crested Duck Question

[BirdNerd101]

will crested runners still have the same traits ( amount of eggs laid, weight, Noise, etc) as normal runners? i have a crested runner and was wondering. all answers will be appreciated

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Yep. But be careful with pecking (the crest is feathers on fatty tissue where a hole in the skull is) and breeding.

 

[BirdNerd101]

if one is a female can i breed it with a cayuga drake or are they to aggressive?

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

You can breed her, but if they incessantly peck at her crest she could have a seizure and die.
And some of the ducklings will have siezures in the shell before they hatch.d

 

[BirdNerd101]

how long do they have to be together to breed? if i do i will watch and seperate them quickly if this happens

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Well, depends on the males libido. Not sure about ducks, but a hen chicken can keep a males rooster sperm in her for 6 weeks.
I wouldn't over worry about pulling out the feathers if there's enough hens for the drake to breed. If you need you can put a little 'hat' on (just cloth) that covers the crest (if its small enough, otherwise there still will be a bump)

 

[BirdNerd101]

k thanks i wouldnt want my duck to possibly die.... how do i put the cloth on

 

[BirdNerd101]

also, would it be better to breed a crested ro a cayuga or another crested due to the saftey for the female

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Never breed a crested to crested. All the ducklings would die.
You can just take a strip of cloth Put it over her crest and then safety pin it underneath so she's not choking but it won't just slip off. If you can stick 2 fingers under it then its not too tight. If you have stretchy cloth, then 2 fingers will do, if its not stretchy then 1 finger. Just make sure it won't slip down too easily, if you need ill do a picture 'how to do' it. Ours we don't put a cloth on but then again we have 6 hens and 1 drake, who's very gentle

 

[BirdNerd101]

pics would be cool. thanks