New member with a duck question

[FenDruadin]

I just hatched my first batch of Indian Runner ducklings--they are so cool! And the colors are fascinating... Anyway, I think I had humidity issues, and two of the three still had umbilical cords & yolk attached after they hatched. One had to be helped, after pipping a hole he struggled for over 24 hours before I began gradually chipping a ring around the top. He eventually pushed himself out through the cap I had created. They all seem healthy and happy now--they are active and cheerful, eating, chasing crickets and ants and mosquitoes and nipping at grass and clover when they're outside. But the two with cord & yolk originally attached both have enlarged umbilical areas. They look kind of dried out, and not infected, but I'm wondering if this is likely to cause them problems later.

I purchased a hygrometer for my next hatch and will be checking it religiously. As it is, I think I got a decent hatch rate for my first batch--three out of five hatched. One rotted about a week before the hatch, another tapped & tried to pip but never made a hole in the shell (I candled last night and confirmed that it is dead--now I just have to work up the courage to open it up to try and diagnose--but I suspect humidity problems for this one too). But, obviously, I'd prefer a better hatch rate.

Anyway, I'm also wondering if anyone else is playing around with color in the Indian Runner? This is my first hatch, but I am delighted by the variety of color (I got a black, a silver, and one light-colored one that is a blue x fawn & white and should be interesting as an adult). I have always wanted to breed for color, and am thinking of trying to develop some new color varieties. I know they would be "unofficial," but it's just a fun backyard flock anyway. I would love to hear from anyone who is also messing around with Runner colors.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from folks. I love these forums and have been reading for a while--only just decided to join. Thank you.

 

[Wifezilla]

I can comment on the belly buttons...

They should shrink to normal in a few days. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[rainplace]

I'm not so much interested in a new color for runners, but want to work on their size. I'll be interested in what you do once you get going.

 

[FenDruadin]

Thanks, wifezilla! That is good to know. I would hate to lose these sweet, sweet little guys. They do seem very healthy otherwise.

rainplace--are you working on larger size, or smaller? Runners are such interesting birds to work with. I've also considered playing around with the Harlequins & doing some crosses with Runners to see what happens with colors and with the "sex-link" bill, but I think I'll stick to Runners until I've got some experience. I love the qualities of the Harlequin, but Runners are just so darn interesting.

This is a great group. I'm so glad to be a part of it now. I'll post a pic of my three newbie ducks as soon as I figure out how to do that (don't worry, no need to post instructions--I'm sure I'll get it worked out, or find instructions in another thread

Heather

 

[FenDruadin]

Pictures of my cuties:

I know the one is black. Is the other dark one a silver or a blue? I think silver, because he is paler than the blues I originally ordered from McMurray, but I'm not sure. The other is a cross between a blue drake and a fawn & white hen, so the genetics there are pretty interesting.

I've got more pictures loaded on my personal blog (along with pics of my goats, honey harvest, kids, and other miscellany). Am I allowed to post a link to that?

 

[tia]

That sounds interesting... I just had 7 hatch and I am hoping they are real tall and slender looking. I found it interesting that the black ones I hatched are a little smaller than the fawn/white. I'm sure I will know what they are going to look like soon as they are eating up a storm. They are very entertaining.

Tia

 

[FenDruadin]

Thanks, Tia! Congrats on your seven! My black one is actually the largest of the three, but then she is also the oldest (they hatched on three separate days--again, I think I had humidity issues). And all three of mine have a blue drake for a father, so that may be key in size.

I forgot to add that the silver/blue one has a green sheen under his feathers in the sunlight, and on his bill as well. Their names, by the way (my children named them), are: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We don't actually know genders so we are just pretending on that score.

 

[FenDruadin]

Okay, I just re-read the TOS, and I am allowed to post a link to my family blog, which has more duckling pictures (including pipping pictures & wet newborn pics): http://heatherhead.wordpress.com

 

[rainplace]

Well I want a black runner, with the size and feathering of black silkies. I didn't really understand much about the variety of ducks when I got my first ones, so I'm going to have to wait till year after next to start breeding silkies to runners. I have two adult silkies now that will hopefully breed in the spring and I'm going to order more silkies and some black runners from holderreads for next springs hatch. Currently I have three runners, 2 fawn and white and 1 blue.

edited to add: also two black silkies and two geese

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
I Suggest You contact Dave Holderread (he has a website now) and purchase copies of his Breed Bulletins #8615 & 8616 (published on a copy machine.) 8615 is just general and covers the 3 most common colors. 8616 covers Rare colors, 19 of them! I think you will find these B&W bulletins well worth the price if you have an interest in breeding for rare colors. If you can't find his website post again and I will be glad to post his Snail Mail address.