Oh no!

[1duckychick]

a silky runner - whatever the color - that's make one cool/interseting looking duck!

Wish I had the patience and dedication to try a project like that.

 

[goosedragon]

I have seen silky runners, the runner characteristics were degraded by the outcross to get the silky gene into the line but they think they will be able to get back to typical runner body style in 3-4 generations because that is what is typical with an out of type outcross. The breeder thinks that he will be able to produce silky anythings if he uses AI.

 

[rainplace]

Don't think I can go the AI route, but thank you for telling me about someone else doing the runner silky thing. I wonder if I should go small first, or go silky first... I bet going small would be the better bet?

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Just to be clear, I have no experience in this sort of thing but I would guess it would be easier to capture the smalller set of silkie genetics first and then bring that into working on the more complex runner form.

 

[CityChicker]

Chris Ashton is definitely one of the foremost domestic duck experts in the world. I can't think of anyone more knowledgeable. I have read that article before too. I think she was just saying that it would be a long project to get a distinctly shaped Mini Runner, which it would be. Developing anything new generally takes awhile though. It is just easier to develop something with a body type similar to an already existing breed like Calls or Mallards. Developing a new breed or color variety easily can take 4-6 generations (or much longer).

Josh Snyder is working on Mini Runners. He had some developed that were lost to predators and is now working on them again. I don't know if he knows about BYC, but I will ask him.

 

[rainplace]

thank you for the name! I just googled him and found this at: http://www.freewebs.com/snyderswaterfowl/rarebreedcolourinfo.htm

"Mini Runner Ducks- (Flock killed by raccoons, in Feb 2008. In 2009, new breedings will be underway to re-start this project.) This breed was developed by Josh Snyder here at Snyder's Waterfowl. Development of the Mini Runners started in 2003. At present time(2006) they are a fair size smaller than regular sized Runners, but smaller size is still being bred for. Chocolate and Dusky are the colours they are currently being bred in."

I'll see if I can't make contact.

 

[CityChicker]

I have been talking to him a couple times a week via email, but we haven't talked about the Mini Runners. He is very knowledgeable.

 

[L0rraine]

Quote:
I tried to get some pics of our (little?) Blue Runner, but she suddenly doesn't look so small anymore.

Here she is with part of the flock - she's in the middle, two pure runners are in the very back and, other than the Magpie, everyone else in the picture is a Runner cross. But..., the kicker is the next two pictures. I put her in with the Silky and BEI drakes and she suddenly looks pretty darn tall. The pictures aren't very good I'm afraid - the ducks weren't cooperating and the rain was starting to fall. My Silky is from Holderread's, but only 'pet' quality.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Good luck Rainplace!
I was too lazy to fully read evey thread but I think you should definantly stat a thread when you get your breeding pens set up.