Is there a good hatchery to get Runners?

[chickensioux]

How does the "quality" differ from Holderreads to McMurray? (pardon my ignorance) Since I am looking for pets. I read that the uprightness of the stance could be different. Is that true, is that what that means? Wouldn't the runner ducks from McMurray stand just as upright or is it something else?

 

[rainplace]

Here's a hatchery runner from Metzers:

Here's a runner from Holderread:

 

[Willowbrook]

http://holderreadfarm.com/duckling_price_list_page/duckling_price_page.htm

How does the "quality" differ from Holderreads to McMurray? (pardon my ignorance) Since I am looking for pets. I read that the uprightness of the stance could be different. Is that true, is that what that means? Wouldn't the runner ducks from McMurray stand just as upright or is it something else?

In my opinion, probably no other breed of duck has the widest variety of body structure and looks as the Runner.

To help you understand I'll try to give you what I hope is a reasonable answer to your question.

Most hatcheries breed a production quality bird. That means that while the bird is indeed a Runner, not much thought was put into developing a genetic plan for these birds. Male + female = ducklings. Nothing wrong with that if you are just looking for pet Runner quality.

Holderread's, on the other hand, has various levels of "quality" based upon what standards are determined for the Runner breed. They offer utility quality birds all the way up to elite, show-quality.

If you notice on their web site that I posted, you can buy ducklings that are bred from these various categories of Runners. For example, if you were to order their show-quality assortment, you could very well get the birds that are more desirable physically that resemble the wine bottles on legs.
But of course not all offspring from show-quality parents are show-quality offspring. They classify their breeding stock and therefore you have a choice of what type of ducking you want to buy and they are priced accordingly.

Now let's say you really wanted "top of the line" Runners for breeding or showing, you would be better of, in my opinion, to order adults as they "are what they are." They are mature and show all the physical characteristics that they are going to possess now and forever. BUT, you're going to spend much more for those birds.

Keep in mind though, you can't order sexed ducklings from Holderread's as they only sell the adults as sexed.

As a side note, I bought a hen Runner from a woman on Craigslist. I answered her ad because she said the ducks came from Holderread's. This bird was one from their basic assortment of ducklings. The body is better than most utility Runners, but the wing tips cross at the bottom rather than just meet in a point. That's not a biggie if you are looking for pet birds, but it is if you want to breed birds true to the standard.​

 

[rainplace]

Hatcheries are breeding for egg production first.
Breeders are breeding for body type first.

 

[Wifezilla]

Here is a hatchery runner I have...

She is not upright AT ALL. She does, however, lay a lot of huge white eggs.

 

[A1 Steak Sauce]

Quote:
Which hatchery?

 

[rabbithaus]

I'll never be a runner breeder-I prefer the less extreme look of 'pet' quality runners. Unless you buy older ones, I don't think you be able to find quality sexed ducklings-'private' breeders seem to all sell straight run.

 

[Wifezilla]

Which hatchery

I don't know for sure, but a lot of the ducks sold in this area come from Privett, but they could have also come from Ideal. She was being used as a heard dog training duck when I adopted her.​