I've been seriously considering a flock of ducks, and Indian runners are on the top of the list. It's between them and muscovies. Now...I've done the whole google search for info on this breed, but all I can find are very brief paragraph-long breed description, and all those generally give are basic stats like general size, egg laying productivity, etc. I'd like to hear from folks that have owned them. I'll take the good, the bad and the ugly, please. Or if anyone has any suggestions of sites that give a bit more detailed information that would be great. Also...muscovies are very common around here (wild) and growing up we lived on a lake where a huge flock lived. Now...as far as egg production goes, the wild ones would only lay once a year. Well...I mean, they'd only clutch once a year. Seemed to average around 15 eggs per clutch. Sooo...is that the normal cycle for this duck, or if kept captive, do they lay more regularly? That's my major attraction point with the runner ducks...everything I've seen so far puts them up with some of the better egg laying hens as far as egg production goes.
I currently have 4 runners. I do seem to get eggs daily from my girls except for when the weather changes and it gets cold. Then it just took them some time to adjust and they started right up again. They do tend to be more skitsh then other breeds and spook easily. They get loud when they are scared to. I only have a couple that i can actually get close to and pet but even they tell me when they have had enough and run off. They are a great breed and a different personality from the other breeds i have had. I know there are others on here with runners so hopfuly they will chime in
I started with runners and enjoyed their comical ways but they were VERY skittish and relatively loud. They did lay well though. As a breed they are not supposed to be very broody. I now have muscovy (only 1 pair) but she has not started laying yet. They are very personable and funny in their own way. They seem to eat less than my runners did. Muscovy are considered seasonal layers depending on where you are located. If you don't want ducklings and pick up the eggs they should continue laying. If left with eggs to set on any hen (that goes broody) will stop laying. I prefer the muscovy (though I now have 6 Rouen ducklings in the brooder) I like their size, personality, and that extras can be processed and provide a nice carcass.
I have had both..... More runners than muscovies. Runners lay more eggs, and more consistantly. They also herd better and don't fly. They're easier to contain, only needing a 2-foot fence. They're great foragers and eat less then muscovies. Better food to egg conversion ratio. Muscovies are quieter, and because they fly, are a little more protected from predators. They're more likely to hatch their own eggs, and are better moms when they do. They're also are larger and worth butchering and eating. Both are fun though
I have 12 Indian Runners and 14 Muscovy ducks and as others here have stated there are many aspects of the breeds to consider - I could not choose between mine, they are so very different and they all live very happily together and share the same stable at night - why don't you get some of each???? I do tend to clip the wings of my Muscovy girls - there is nothing more hazardous than having a flight of Muscovy ducks flying overhead... I do have a full face motorcycle helmet that I have considered using - duck poop is not recommended as a hair conditioner, nor face cream! I do find that egg production is much the same with both breeds - my Muscovy girls are laying already, whereas the Runners lay a little later in the year - as for hatching, my runners are better at staying on their eggs and producing ducklings - my Avatar is the first runner chick ever hatched here.... a Silkie chicken sat on the egg for 21 days along with her own chicks - a broody Muscovy then took over and managed to hatch the chick on day 22 - runners hatch much more quickly than Muscovy eggs. Whatever you choose - you will not be disappointed! Suzie
My neighbors have muscovies. I have runners. My girls are quiet (mostly) as adults. They went through a loud mouth phase and will let you know when you let them out and didn't bring out their breakfast when you opened their door... and will quack their fool heads off until you bring them something to eat. Ally laid over 300 eggs last year. I raised 3 together and have friendly girls, only 2 now. They both run up to me and look for food and will walk me to the garage in the mornings if they are near by when I go out for work. They aren't about to climb into my lap, but they have no problems coming near me and stick around as long as a dog isn't about to stomp on them.
Thanks guys. I think I may end up getting a few of each like Suzie suggested. Best of both worlds. Now...does anybody know of any breeders in North Florida that produces runners or those lavender muscovies (or who can ship)? I didn't even know they existed!
Hi, and let me be clear-I am a super newbie! we have done everything wrong, but we still get so much enjoyment from the ducks! We have muscovies and runners both, and I agree with the other posters-get both! Our ducks all free-range-it never occured to us to pen them, but we wish that we would have. Not that they fly off, but so we could have them a wee more people friendly. The muscovies are more tame than the runners, and will eat out of your hand. Our muscovies lay year 'round, but we are also in East Texas, so not a lot of bad weather this year. We have had more mommas with babies than I ever thought possible! I have a new hatch now, and 2 more girls on nests. We never built nesting boxes-the girls find their own nests-mostly in an old willow tree hollow-and present us with ducklings regularly. The runners are very skittish, and very loud! But they are so funny to watch, I really don't mind. I have no idea if/where they are laying, since they roam all over the lake and neighborhood, but they paired off with their males and come home for breakfast and dinner daily. Time will tell if I get babies from them. Not very scientific, but as I said, we did everything wrong! Our muscovies can fly, but they do not go far-they are quite heavy birds! They are not afraid of the dogs (4 very large dogs!), but will shy away if the dogs get really close. We have lost an awful lot of ducks this year to otters, which is another reason we wish that we had penned them, but they love being able to come and go as they please. We are not certain why, but although the runners and muscovies all eat together/near each other, they do not mingle together at other times. We are just learning about all the colours and such of the muscovies, so we aren't sure what they are all called! We do have a lot of what we THINK are called lavendars, and maybe a chocolate, and lots that are mixed with black, white, gray, green, etc. Forgive the tome, but we really are enjoying the ducks, and we know that you will, too. Sybil and David
Go to "Where am I Where are you" thread and look up Florida, you may find someone pretty close to you that can help you out.
