Flying Runners!

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

With the cold snap we have had my ducks make a Bee line for the gian “nest” of straw in the sunniest corner of their area, the runners don’t like getting snow on their feet apparently as they have decided to fly to and fro. Last night they, all 3,litteraly took off from the staw pile to the ramp of their house, maybe 50’, quite gracefully I might add, as funny as it is to watch i am torn between being pleased they could perhaps evade a predator and concern they could fly over the fence, though they do not seem inclined to do so, they are supposed to be Runners, not flyers. My Pekin hen Scuba who has had the most leg issues thus far gave it a go yesterday and made it about 2’ she collected herself and then using her wings to assist her undersized legs “flap ran” at a speed i have never seen her move, these guys are clearly saying below 0 is to darn cold!
Are runners usually able to fly? How far could they go?

 

[Callender Girl]

I have only had one runner who could "fly." Claire could remain airborne for just a few seconds, but was able to get above the top of the 4-foot chicken run. Once in a while, one of mine will scale the 2-foot fence around their shelter when he sees me getting food. It's less of really flying and more like flapping his tiny wings while using his feet to climb the fencing wire.

Mine free range during the day, and a 2-foot woven wire fence keeps them from wandering into the road or back into the "scary" part of the property where I can't see them from the house. Like you, I would be pleased to know they have some ability to get away from predators.

My runners don't seem to mind getting snow on their feet. In fact, they often lounge on the snow when I think they should be settled on the nice, warm pine shavings in their shelter.

I certainly understand their aversion to below-0 temps. I'd fly away from the cold if I could.

 

[sourland]

I've had runners that could fly as young birds, but once they gained weight and matured they were no longer able to fly.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had one scale a 4' fence but she was on top of the hill above the fence. Landed in the driveway and then freaked out because she couldn't figure out how to get back in. Thankfully I was home because we are surrounded by woods. She wouldn't have lasted long by herself. I've seen mine fly short distances since but never high enough to scale the fence. Other than that once time and that was 2016. Mine sure don't like the snow they spend much of their time inside laying around. They have to come out to eat an drink though .

 

[Percipen]

Yeah some people insist they dont fly, but my drake can get himself about 6 feet in the air for short distances and 2 of my girls can get about 3-4 feet off the ground and fly for a good 20 feet or so (they're younger and lighter than my drake). My other girl has never flown, although shes an expert at running on her tippie toes and flapping her wings like shes flying