Duck Breed Focus - Indian Runner

[Amiga]

It's part of a complex communication - some sideways head-bobbing seems positive, but some of it is a "back off" gesture. I haven't figured out what's different, but I can see from other ducks' reactions that there is some nuance about it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know what sideways head-bobbing actually means, but it looked like Gwaine (my chocolatiest hen) was ready to start something with my 60lb cattle dog this morning! He likes to run up to the fence of their pen and peep at them, and every time he did it today, Gwaine would rush to the front of the flock and start side-bobbing at him. I was worried she did something to her neck at first, but she only does it when he's at their fence peeping.

You have drakes right? She maybe confused.

 

[AimToMisbehave]

I'm assuming it's a "back off" since she only does it to him, and only when he's being a pest, hahaha! She is a feisty one, that's for sure. Queen of the Coop!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm assuming it's a "back off" since she only does it to him, and only when he's being a pest, hahaha! She is a feisty one, that's for sure. Queen of the Coop!

I have to watch some of my ducks[girls] because if one of my dogs walk by too close they will nip the dog in the behind.

 

[sweety birds]

hi love seeing all these runner pics. I don't have ducks but recently I have been approached by someone local to ask if I would take on their runners 2 drakes and 4 ducks. I have not decided yet as I don't have much knowledge of them. would this mix of male/female ratio work? can they all be kept together in the same area or should they be separated into "batches"? I haven't seen them yet as I didn't want to go and see them and fall in love. but i'm told some are blac and some are "mallard" I presume this means green head. have thought about getting ducks at some point but not sure if now is the best. would ducks come home at night like hens do? and would they be able to share a night home with turkey's chickens and poss a keet if they had free range during the day? loads of questions I know. sorry to disturb the tread. if this is not the place can someone point me in the right direction.

 

[Crazyfarmer66]

i have 3 runner ducks 2 males 1 female all 1 year old best pets ever had, but i have a question do ducks ever stop laying eggs like chickens do?

 

[Crazyfarmer66]

oh one more question will runner ducks hatch thier eggs

 

[jheasley]

oh one more question will runner ducks hatch thier eggs

my hens go broody sit on their eggs well, I was told they lay eggs deeper into the season than chickens

 

[Birdrain92]

oh one more question will runner ducks hatch thier eggs

 

[Amiga]

hi love seeing all these runner pics. I don't have ducks but recently I have been approached by someone local to ask if I would take on their runners 2 drakes and 4 ducks. I have not decided yet as I don't have much knowledge of them. would this mix of male/female ratio work? can they all be kept together in the same area or should they be separated into "batches"? I haven't seen them yet as I didn't want to go and see them and fall in love. but i'm told some are blac and some are "mallard" I presume this means green head. have thought about getting ducks at some point but not sure if now is the best. would ducks come home at night like hens do? and would they be able to share a night home with turkey's chickens and poss a keet if they had free range during the day? loads of questions I know. sorry to disturb the tread. if this is not the place can someone point me in the right direction.

@sweety birds - if it were me, I would set things up so that I could separate if need be. Drakes are not safe for chickens if they decide to try to mate, their "equipment" is different than a rooster and could - I am told - end up killing the chicken. So the ducks would need their own shelter. Or at least the drakes would need their own shelter. Ducks might or might not come in on their own - I have seen both stories on the forum.