Pellets for ducklings?

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Your ducks are all so pretty and I'm sure would make some super cute ducklings! Sounds like your neighbor came to the right guy.
It's been a lot of fun incubating & watching them grow and move around inside the egg. Though there have been moments where I thought I really screwed things up...but still fun
We only have runners and I don't know that they will go broody for us, they have more important duck stuff to do
Keeping busy and patiently waiting here still.

Well thank you! - You are right, the ducklings Katharina hatched this year have turned out to be real beauties, but they are mutts: Fawn & White Indian Runners mixed with Buff Orpington. They have inherited their running ability from the Runners, some of the feather-patterns also, the little drakes are penciled, but they are also massive. Imagine your Indian Runners at triple their size. The drakes can reach more than three feet up. If i sit on the ground they look me straight into the eyes - Rasp!
A neighbor's hen is sitting on six of my duck's eggs, they are expected to hatch this weekend, i can't wait until then, so curious what will hatch. They have Runner Eggs, White Layer and eggs from the Buffs or the Magpies.
Please do not encourage me to buy an incubator!!!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Never say “ we only have Runners “ because Runners are the best.

Have you had White Layers?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Aww can’t wait to see the littles.

X2!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Update?

 

[Runner duck mom]

We are finally home for the day. Stopped in at noon and only a little progress. There is finally a small hole and we can see his bill moving, this little one is in no hurry.

 

[Runner duck mom]

Well thank you! - You are right, the ducklings Katharina hatched this year have turned out to be real beauties, but they are mutts: Fawn & White Indian Runners mixed with Buff Orpington. They have inherited their running ability from the Runners, some of the feather-patterns also, the little drakes are penciled, but they are also massive. Imagine your Indian Runners at triple their size. The drakes can reach more than three feet up. If i sit on the ground they look me straight into the eyes - Rasp!
A neighbor's hen is sitting on six of my duck's eggs, they are expected to hatch this weekend, i can't wait until then, so curious what will hatch. They have Runner Eggs, White Layer and eggs from the Buffs or the Magpies.
Please do not encourage me to buy an incubator!!!

Oh my, I can't imagine having giant runners! They get into enough trouble as it is, there would be no plant or flowerpot that would be safe. I always forget how small runners are until I see other ducks. There is a male. muscovy at a nearby park and he is just huge.
I hope your hatch goes well this weekend, would love to see the babies when they arrive We aren't sure what our babies will look like either, runners for sure but mixed colors.
Haha, then you don't want an incubator for sure...you'd have to turn the eggs (and they are very heavy) and candle them ( very time consuming) and count down the days till they hatch (who has the time?). Plus sit around and watch them hatch, blah. Did that help at all?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They can sure take their sweet time. It’s nerve wracking. Progress yay!

 

[Texag87]

Have you had White Layers?

No. Actually I have only had one Runner drake but he is so awesome and the girls love him.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

…
I hope your hatch goes well this weekend, would love to see the babies when they arrive We aren't sure what our babies will look like either, runners for sure but mixed colors.
Haha, then you don't want an incubator for sure...you'd have to turn the eggs (and they are very heavy) and candle them ( very time consuming) and count down the days till they hatch (who has the time?). Plus sit around and watch them hatch, blah. Did that help at all?

The first baby hatched today!
They've told me it is black and tan, so very likely a Buff and Magpie mix.
The hen is very, very protective and keeps the little one under her all the time, so no pictures yet…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

We are finally home for the day. Stopped in at noon and only a little progress. There is finally a small hole and we can see his bill moving, this little one is in no hurry.View attachment 1953222

Very likely absorbing the yolk…