Mortality rate in Runner Ducks

[darbella]

Hi there, I have a question and figured this thread would have the answer. i was thinking of either buying or hatching out some runner ducks. I would get the eggs from a neighbor down the road. However, she told me that they sometimes just seem to die for no reason, she said some days hers will be out in the pen acting normally one minute, then ahe will look out and one will be dead, then maybe another that same day or the next day. I remember hearing a story about 3 years ago about someone that had them and they just run and fall over dead too...are there and health issues with this breed of duck, or some "symdrome" they have?? I dont want to go thru the process and end up heartbroken.

 

[FenDruadin]

Ummmmmm............... I think I would avoid that seller like the plague that her ducks apparently have.....

I could be wrong, but I have never heard of this. I have only had my Runner ducks for two years, but I have never lost even one to disease or undefined illness or whatever. I have lost them--but only to predators.

It sounds like she either has some congenital genetic disorder endemic in her flock, or an underlying disease that surfaces sporadically. Or maybe some environmental hazard she's unaware of. I would look to Holderread, Metzer, or McMurray (or similar) for disease-free, more carefully bred stock.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

My first though was "thats livestock for ya" but ya never know, there may be something wrong going on there. I know I've had weeks where every time I turn around something is laying dead for no reason an then go 6 months an everything is fine.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Never read such a thing. I have been doing homework on ducks for several months and never came across a runner with health issues. I agree with the other posters, stay clear of her flock. I adopted a runner last month and he is doing fine.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I guess it should be asked, how many ducks do they have? If they have something like 10 an are having problems it may be sickness but if they have lots then it may just be them expressing there frustrations about losses that would be normal for the numbers of birds they have.

 

[darbella]

Quote:
She had lots of them and also a small vernal pond on her property, but the duck frequented a river that was part of the aquifer system. i never saw them at the front of her property where the vernal pond is.

 

[kawonu]

Don't buy from anyone that has health issues. We have black Indian runners from show quality stock. We have hatched a few this year and all are still alive. Never had any just fall over dead. Be careful where you get your stock.

 

[pips&peeps]

I have only lost one to internal laying. Her egg was coming out with two shells, a normal one and a thick icky not so hard one.

I would also avoid this lady too. Ducks and geese don't get as many diseases as chickens. Their body temperature is higher.