Indian Runners

[josh]

I had 4 runners ina pen on my lake. I let them out. I have been going and checking their nest and the 2 females have been laying in the nest box. I have 9 eggs now. They where covered up. Should I take them or leave them. Also have scoveys on the lake. One of them is nesting now but the other 2 females are laying but not setting. How many eggs can a runner cover? I don't want to let to many get in there and them not be able to cover them. Should I take the eggs and put them in the bator. Or hope ascovy finds them and goes broody?

 

[CityChick15]

HI Josh,

I have ONE Indian Runner and she is Amazing! She is more of a house duck than an outside girl! I am considering getting her a playmate. How do your two females get along?
I am not really interested in re-production so a male & female pair isn't necessary. I just want the best combination for my social duck.

THOUGHTS?

Thanks!

 

[josh]

I have 4. 2 males and 2 females. The males where together when I got them and the 2 females where raised together also. They all seem to get along really good. I have not seen any fighting among any of them, I also have scovies. They runners stay together and the scovies stay together. I really like them. If they are in a pen together the 2 runner males pick on the dark scovey drake but not the pied.

 

[Suzie]

I have Muscovy and Indian Runners.... one of my runners sat on 16 eggs and she hatched 12 of the eggs, she built the nest into almost a pyramid shape ( give her plenty of straw/hay ) - I was truly amazed to see so many hatch.....

I have a Muscovy sat on 6 runner eggs plus whatever was originally under her when she decided to go broody - I have NEVER had any luck with my Muscovy girls hatching their own... but they are great at hatching runners - maybe Elvis my Muscovy male isn't up to the task????

Good luck!!!!

p.s. All of my ducks get along fine... Elvis is definately the dominant one but he looks after all of the ducks!

 

[josh]

Quote:
Did you keep track of the days? Muscovy hatch in 35 runners 28. If the runners hatched before it was time for the muscovy she probably just left with her baby runners.

 

[Suzie]

No - sorry! Mine were separate occasions - I would never mix runners with Muscovy as you say - the dates are not compatible... I have had Muscovy ducks sat on eggs for 35-40 days without any positive results -