Poor fertility in Runners?

[MrsHudson221B]

I may have a home for the Pekins when they’re grown out. But, I’m not one to pass on problems— I’ll keep them unless my friends want them for their flock. I run my birds on about 3 acres during the day and put them up at night, and they seem to have plenty of room to spread out and share.

The brewers yeast I had was getting icky and old, so it’s on the grocery list for tomorrow.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Sounds like a good plan. And a great place for them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are all the ducklings doing today?

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Everyone is super great! Although, my ID skills stink— what I thought was another runner at first is definitely not. Just a black duck ranking its neck to look outside the box!

Anyway, they are stinky and active and growing as they should be— I’m mixing brewers yeast with 30% non medicated starter for the first couple of weeks, then dropping down to grower crumble (I think15%). Can’t wait to see how they all grow out! I’m curious to see if the runner baby ends up going with the runner flock or staying with it’s waddle duck friends. Time will tell!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's so neat. Sorry you didn't get another Runner but maybe a Cayuga? I look forward to seeing these littles grow and feather out too so keep the pictures coming. I bet your kids are thrilled watching them.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Oh yes! The kiddos are totally in love with the ducklings! And, I think you’re right on the Cayuga.

Im planning on moving the little ones outside this weekend. I’ve had a mother chicken (started sitting mid-molt and looks TERRIBLE—the kids call her “zombie mama”) with four month-old chicks in my brooder at night as snake prevention. Luckily, I have a sturdy divider for the brooder (the brooder is big enough to do this at roughly 2x8 feet) so it shouldn’t be too bad. She’s a pretty laid back mama, and I don’t think she will mind the company on the other side of the wire.

I’ll make sure to snap pics and post as they grow— it always goes so fast!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Zombie mama is a good name I have a few that will be plum naked if they keep on molting like they are now. lol

Sounds like a good plan, always a worry when we have littles and snakes are around I really like the snakes taking care of the rodents but we sure don't want them eating our babies.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

What a difference a week makes! I always swear I can HEAR them growing...

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Here’s the group... hiding from the mean camera phone that will surely eat them alive.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

In other news, I just candled the set of 20 runner eggs I put in the incubator last week... looks like only 3 duds so far. Hoping for a much better hatch this time around!