Mating & Eggs

[Jadecinadr96]

My male and female indian runners were mating this morning (the first time I have seen it -ever) rather fast and he was SUPER gentle to her. maybe becuase i only have the 2??? However, now that they are mating does this have anything to do with laying eggs soon??? she seems to guard a corner in the coop a bit - but doesnt care if I get down on her level and touch the corner... so I dont think anything is there but if she maybe getting ready to lay? (new to this!) also - sicne she is an indian runner does that mean she wont lay on her eggs? I read that somewhere and was not sure if I should prepare for babies

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Indian Runners started laying about 2 weeks after I saw breeding start. Could be sooner or later just no way of knowing for sure. My adult Runners came from eggs laid by broody Runners they are now over 3 yrs old and have never once shown signs of broodiness. They just can't sit still that long lol . You'll just have to wait an see with yours.

 

[Jadecinadr96]

My Indian Runners started laying about 2 weeks after I saw breeding start. Could be sooner or later just no way of knowing for sure. My adult Runners came from eggs laid by broody Runners they are now over 3 yrs old and have never once shown signs of broodiness. They just can't sit still that long lol . You'll just have to wait an see with yours.

Okay thank you. They could have been mating for awhile - it was just the first time I have seen it today, so who knows?! Lol. But thank you! She seems like she could / could not be... so we will see. Thanks

 

[sourland]

If she mated willingly, she is probably nearing POL. As @Miss Lydia said only time will tell as to whether or not she will set. Even if she does go broody, she will lay for a considerable period of time before doing so.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are they?

 

[Jadecinadr96]

How old are they?

13 weeks.

 

[Jadecinadr96]

If she mated willingly, she is probably nearing POL. As @Miss Lydia said only time will tell as to whether or not she will set. Even if she does go broody, she will lay for a considerable period of time before doing so.

Yeah, mating willingly for sure. Sounds good!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Boy they are sure starting early and I thought my Runners were young. they were 4 months. did you actually see the drakes penis? could have been play practice too unless you saw something that confirmed. I have 13 week old female Runners who I am keeping away from my Runner drake he is interested they are not ready..

 

[PirateGirl]

Eggs may or may not be coming soon. I generally expect eggs at 4-6 months of age.

Whether or not they have babies is mostly up to you. If you collect the eggs daily, even if fertilized, they won't develop ducklings inside. (They need to be incubated at the right temperature for the right number of days, either by a mama or in an incubator, to end up with ducklings) You can just keep collecting and eating the eggs if you don't want ducklings.

If you DO want ducklings, then we can certainly advise you on that when the time comes.

 

[Jadecinadr96]

Boy they are sure starting early and I thought my Runners were young. they were 4 months. did you actually see the drakes penis? could have been play practice too unless you saw something that confirmed. I have 13 week old female Runners who I am keeping away from my Runner drake he is interested they are not ready..

Not sure. My boyfriend was the one who saw it happen. She flattened out like a surf board, he put her head under got on top and wiggled around for a bit and was done??? So I am not sure to be honest lol.