Indian Runner Hens

[Jmiller87]

Recently got 2 fawn and white runners( hatched on July 18th) that are almost 5 months old… I’m just curious as to when they should start laying. Also, we live in Alabama and have only yet had 2-3 days that have gotten below freezing, if that. Could that possibly throw them off to not lay until spring?

 

[Callender Girl]

I LOVE runners, and yours are beauties!

All of my runners shut down egg production several weeks ago; none ever lay during the winter. But, once they get into the spring rhythm, they are egg-producing wonders.

BTW, mine not only don't mind cold weather, they seem to enjoy it! Best of luck with your lovelies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How precious My female Runners started laying around 4.5 months old but they have a drake which might make a difference since they started mating at 4 months. Yours could start anytime or may wait we really don't know for sure until we get that first egg.

 

[prock family]

My ducks haven't laid anything for a few weeks now. When I did a Google search, it indicated that ducks stop egg production once the days are under like, 12 hours I think, of daylight. They were pretty consistent before that, laying about every other day.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The first 18 months of my Runners and Buffs lives they laid like gangbusters all through winter too. No extra light. I couldn't wait for them to stop so their little slim bodies could have a rest. Now they stop in Oct and don't start back until late March.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks haven't laid anything for a few weeks now. When I did a Google search, it indicated that ducks stop egg production once the days are under like, 12 hours I think, of daylight. They were pretty consistent before that, laying about every other day.

 

[Jmiller87]

I LOVE runners, and yours are beauties!

All of my runners shut down egg production several weeks ago; none ever lay during the winter. But, once they get into the spring rhythm, they are egg-producing wonders.

BTW, mine not only don't mind cold weather, they seem to enjoy it! Best of luck with your lovelies.

That was my biggest wonder, my khaki Campbell and Pekin are still laying so I didn’t know if the mildness of Alabama winters would keep the runners from laying or not. Thanks!

 

[Jmiller87]

How precious My female Runners started laying around 4.5 months old but they have a drake which might make a difference since they started mating at 4 months. Yours could start anytime or may wait we really don't know for sure until we get that first egg.

We don’t have a runner drake, but we do have other drakes( Pekin, Rouen, and khaki)

 

[Jmiller87]

My ducks haven't laid anything for a few weeks now. When I did a Google search, it indicated that ducks stop egg production once the days are under like, 12 hours I think, of daylight. They were pretty consistent before that, laying about every other day.

This!!!! I was wondering if it was more based on length of day rather than temps. Thanks!!!

 

[leslielbk]

Recently got 2 fawn and white runners( hatched on July 18th) that are almost 5 months old… I’m just curious as to when they should start laying. Also, we live in Alabama and have only yet had 2-3 days that have gotten below freezing, if that. Could that possibly throw them off to not lay until spring?

I'm so jealous! And I see you have them in the kitchen... How adorable is that?? I'm trying desperately to locate the Pencil variety but so far no luck. Have your girls started to lay yet? I'm here in Florida I'm trying to get a picture on how this might go. I have a flock of 10 chickens and a huge coop but it's looking like I need to build a duck house too? I'm not having much luck finding a forum for this either.