Indian Runner Question

[Pduck]

3 weeks ago we picked up 4 Indian Runners, 1 drake and 3 females. They are approximately 21 weeks. The first morning we had 1 tan egg and 1 olive egg. Then nothing for 2 weeks. I figured the stress of the change caused them to halt producing, so I wasn’t surprised. Then a week ago we started getting a tan egg consistently every morning but we have yet to have another olive one. I know that on average it can take up to 24 weeks for them to start laying and I figure one female hasn’t gotten there quite yet but 3 weeks in, I figured the second one I know has laying capacity would have started again by now...

They do free range so the last couple days Ive kept them in their smaller fenced area in the event she was laying during the day and just hiding it somewhere in the yard but nothing...

Any suggestions on what could be going on? Or is it normal to lay so sporadically in the beginning? I just don’t want to overlook something if I could help the process along.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hard to say but they do take a while to feel comfy. I can guarantee you that when the laying begins your going to have eggs everyday for close to 18months straight with not many breaks in between so be sure they are eating the best feed you can give them and oyster shell on the side for extra calcium because they can get depleted with all that laying. My Runners are egg laying machines and once they started they laid straight for 18 months I was hoping they would take breaks to give their little slim bodies a break.

And please post pics we love Runners Pictures actually we love all duck pics but Runners are one of my favorites.
As long as they are acting fine eating and moving around not over in a corner acting off not eating then it's just a wait and watch. But I can tell you when they first begin to lay they will just drop them out anywhere and just keep going. lol

 

[Pduck]

Thanks for the reply. We are feeding a quality all flock food and they have plenty of access to oyster shells. They appear healthy and roam like crazy unless we are around as they are still a bit skittish of us but I know that’s common of the breed. Just our first time with ducks and want to make sure we are doing it right! Will grab pictures when our storm system passes although they are loving it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like your doing everything right. Look forward to pics.

 

[Texag87]

Runners

 

[Pduck]

Tried to bribe them with peas but bug hunting in the bush after the rain was much more enticing I guess!

 

[CindyinSD]

They’re so cute! I love their funny little shapes! Be sure they have niacin and if you can get it, waterfowl food is best. My geese mostly ignore the (Hubbard Duck & Goose) food now that there’s finally grass available, but they do nibble some in the mornings before they permit the turkeys and chickens to gobble it up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

View attachment 1821223 Tried to bribe them with peas but bug hunting in the bush after the rain was much more enticing I guess!

Aren’t they adorable