puzzled - my "indian runner" ducks are grown but...

[aladatrot]

The "B" word. The technical name. Never had it kick out like that on other sites, but I can certainly see where on a chicken oriented site that the B Word really wouldn't be used in a manner that wasn't inflammatory. I guess the powers that set up the site hadn't counted on much stockdog talk going on.....

I just checked out holderreads. They are sold out until 2010, so it would appear I will have to wait to replace my "runners". I may keep my girls in hopes that they will start to lay. I have 4 of those fawn and white hens, the three black runner hens, and the two cayuga hens. If they start to lay, I will be up to my ears in eggs that my feed store wants to sell for me. Perhaps the ducks I've already bought and raised can help foot the bill for the new "real runners" next year if I don't find a breeder nearby.

Here's a question, do regular breeders (not commercial hatcheries) ever ship day old ducklings? I could buy from them instead. I have a good brooder set up, just no way to hatch eggs.

Cheers
M

 

[nettie]

they only online place i've seen so far during my ramblings online is holdereads.... you probably won't find any runners this time of year. They typically stop laying in october, and hatcheries just dn't offer them after that. They also are probably mostly sold out for this season.

My runners are also not very "runnery". But once they get older they become more coordinated and run faster. My two goofs can run awfully fast when they want to. Littler ducks just seem like bumbling goofballs until they become more mature. Ms friend David's runner duck Vinny, is not very bright and trips and falls, but that's because he's "special"

 

[Goat_Walker]

My F/W runner drake is HUGE! I mean if I didnt tell you he was pure runner no one would beleive me. He is a fatty and bigger than all my ducks - almost has big as the wild muscovy drake that comes around.

 

[aleciasayshii]

Yeah my runner looks like a normal duck
but when she rarely stands up straight she is alert, or has decided you're her 'leader'
She also seems to trip all over herself.

 

[tia]

I ordered eggs from Metzer Hatchery and put them in the incubaor. I have 7 runners, and I think they look pretty runnery, not perfect probably. I have a border collie and I was hoping I could work him with them.

 

[becky3086]

I was just going to mention Metzers. My fawn and white runners from there were nice and upright. Actually I got 4 breeds from them and felt they all were very good birds.