Murphy's Law at work...

[georgialee]

So I finally ordered some duck eggs off ebay. I decided on 'Trout' (mallard colored) Runner ducks.

Almost every time I've ordered shipped eggs I only have about half develop... I think the P.O. here is super rough on them.

I only need 3 or 4 ducks (mosquito larvae control on small pond), so I figured since I've never hatched ducks before I'd probably have 6 develop and 3 or 4 hatch.

I candled today -- and you guessed it -- ALL 12 are developing.

I'm not going to count them before they hatch, but I can't believe it!!!

 

[Muggsmagee]

Quote:
That's a good thing! What day are they on? I hope you get a 100% hatch. Good luck!

 

[georgialee]

They're only on day 7.

I'm building an outdoor pen for them already, lol. It's warm enough here to brood them outside from the start, thank goodness!

 

[Muggsmagee]

Quote:
Lucky!

 

[georgialee]

I know! I've heard they're super messy so I'm glad we're into warm weather here.

 

[KansasKid]

Wait, i thought Grey Runners were mallard color and Trout was a lighter color or something?

Just looked at a UK sight that shows them and the hens kinda have a face pattern of a saxony, is there a difference in the U.S.?


Trout Duck:

Fawn, each feather with brown graining. This graining forms a darker band from the crown down the back of the upper neck. Eyebrow creamy white; dark line through the eye; pale line in front of the eye down to the bill. Base of the bill and front of the neck creamy fawn. Eyes: brown. Bill: pinkish orange brown with spots. Dark bean.

http://www.runnerduck.net/photo_album.htm

 

[georgialee]

It is s bit more golden colored than mallard. I
just said that to describe the color in case someone didn't know what trout was

 

[destinduck]

Trout,trout pretty little trout.jump right in and splash about. Congrats Hope they all hatch for ya.

 

[georgialee]

Thank you!

 

[destinduck]

I loved my trout runners, and I may do em again some day. All runners are comical anyways. Out of all the different runners Ive kept the trouts were my hands down favorite. But one of my friends is carrying the torch when I ever get the hankering. They are'nt rare but they sure are'nt common neither. Make sure you keep a light on inside your outside brooder. One of my lights went out accidently the other night and I lost three of my baby ducks(woodies) in the one section that went out. Bummer, but at least the other 5 made it.