Mixed flock of Indian Runner Ducks & Cayugas - good or bad idea?

[BornToQuack]

Hi all, we have a flock of three Indian Runner Duck hens and I'm getting the itch to expand our flock by one or two more ducks. I've always thought Cayugas were absolutely stunning, so I'm considering getting one or two Black Cayuga hens.

Would our current Indian Runner hens be OK with Cayuga hens, or is that not an advisable mix?

Also, any pros/cons on keeping Cayugas is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Jpat]

My two cayugas sounded like old mack trucks in traffic

They were sweet to the other ducks though and protective

No reason why they cant live well together!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

We have five Fawn & White Indian Runners, two drakes three girls and I was considering Cayugas for this years Spring Ducklings batch but in the end decided for Buff Orpingtons, Magpies and (on request of my wife) added White Layers. The main reason not to order the Cayugas was that my wife doesn't like fully black animals.
The Cayuga as a medium weight duck should combine very good with light weight Runner Ducks. Personally I would not combine Runners with any heavy weight duck breeds, like Pekins or Rouens. An attempt to mate between light and heavy breeds could easily result in injuries. And it might be frustrating for the heavy birds to be circled by the Runners all the time…
But i have seen completely mixed flocks from heavy Pekins down to bantam-weight mallards, but those were big flocks (>30 ducks).

 

[chickens really]

Ducks are Ducks and don't know they are a different breed. Muscovy are a different species of Duck and don't speak the same language. Yes, you can get Cayuga to live happily with Runners.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Indian Runner ducks have 2 Buff Orpington living in their flock. No problems, then they live with a small flock of Muscovy’s no problems there either.

 

[BornToQuack]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Unfortunately I just double-checked our city's rules on keeping ducks, and it looks like they've changed the number of ducks people can have from four to three.

We could try getting a permit to have more, but I'm not sure if our property would qualify if there's a requirement for us to be zoned as "agricultural."

Guess I'll just have to be thankful for the three sweet and lovely Indian Runners we already have, and drool over pictures of other people's ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

sorry it didn’t work out.

 

[thumper650]

You could get a black runner, they look like Cayugas I think.

 

[80slady]

Hi all, we have a flock of three Indian Runner Duck hens and I'm getting the itch to expand our flock by one or two more ducks. I've always thought Cayugas were absolutely stunning, so I'm considering getting one or two Black Cayuga hens.

Would our current Indian Runner hens be OK with Cayuga hens, or is that not an advisable mix?

Also, any pros/cons on keeping Cayugas is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I have 3 female cayuga ducks and 1 cayuga drake. I also have 6 Indian deer runner females. My Indian Runners are busy, busy busy! Lol my cayuga females as well as my drake are laid back, gentle, mostly quiet. My male is a push over lol he is a gentle giant I call him " Mr. Midnight " I have nothing but lovely things to say about my addition of my Cayuga ducks, I had my Indian Runners first I would absolutely love to show you pictures, but as of yesterday, I simply can't up.load a photo. I have emailed the forum, so maybe I'll get some news, but if I can help in any way, please let me know I just tried uploading again and hippie! I hope you can see

 

[80slady]

I have 3 female cayuga ducks and 1 cayuga drake. I also have 6 Indian deer runner females. My Indian Runners are busy, busy busy! Lol my cayuga females as well as my drake are laid back, gentle, mostly quiet. My male is a push over lol he is a gentle giant I call him " Mr. Midnight " I have nothing but lovely things to say about my addition of my Cayuga ducks, I had my Indian Runners first I would absolutely love to show you pictures, but as of yesterday, I simply can't up.load a photo. I have emailed the forum, so maybe I'll get some news, but if I can help in any way, please let me know I just tried uploading again and yippie! I hope you can see