Question on duck runners & duck species?

[nao57]

So, I have been quite fascinated by how much there is to learn about poultry species. Its quite amazing.

You could probably go for years discovering new things.

And while researching a bit about duck runners and muscovies, it made me wonder the following things;

Are runner ducks actually a different species? (Like for example most ducks are mallard types, or muscovies, in those 2 groups).

And are the smaller call ducks not in the mallard group of species also?

I am mostly wondering about runner ducks... and anxious to hear what you think about this.

(And how many eyelids do ducks have? I've heard that water species of animals often have several, not just one. This is why I wondered about this.

 

[Ratchnick]

Runners and calls are both mallard derived. Its like dogs, a great dane and a chihuahua are the same species just a different breed. To my knowledge most birds have 3 eyelids. Upper and lower like humans, and a third eyelid that is clear. Its used to cover the eye during flight or also swimming. It is called the nictitating membrane and its oriented sideways starting at the corner of the eye.

 

[nao57]

Do you think runners would be more prone to running away than other ducks? (Not asking because of the name, but because videos of them seem to imply they are a bit nervous.)

Can you train them as much as other ducks to come for food, and to go into and out of pens etc?

Thanks.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I've got 19 runners and they all run to the gate when they see me coming and run to me when I'm in the run. They also all go into their pens each night with no trouble. They are good ducks and are really fun to watch. Much better than TV!

 

[Callender Girl]

Runners are great ducks!! I have six adults and four youngsters in a separate brooder. The adults all follow me when I yell, "Duck, duck," both to the feed dish set across the driveway in the morning and into the shelter at night. All will eat out of my hand, although none wants to be held. A couple will respond to their individual names.

I don't think they're particularly nervous, but they do have a flock mentality. If someone runs, everyone is likely to take off in the same direction. I always like a good duck parade!

They are extremely food oriented and would follow me to the ends of the earth for a grape or two. And because they are MOSTLY flightless -- given the right circumstance, they can get airborne for a second or two -- they can be restrained with a two-foot fence.

 

[nao57]

Runners are great ducks!! I have six adults and four youngsters in a separate brooder. The adults all follow me when I yell, "Duck, duck," both to the feed dish set across the driveway in the morning and into the shelter at night. All will eat out of my hand, although none wants to be held. A couple will respond to their individual names.

I don't think they're particularly nervous, but they do have a flock mentality. If someone runs, everyone is likely to take off in the same direction. I always like a good duck parade!

They are extremely food oriented and would follow me to the ends of the earth for a grape or two. And because they are MOSTLY flightless -- given the right circumstance, they can get airborne for a second or two -- they can be restrained with a two-foot fence.

Duck parade

Runners are great ducks!! I have six adults and four youngsters in a separate brooder. The adults all follow me when I yell, "Duck, duck," both to the feed dish set across the driveway in the morning and into the shelter at night. All will eat out of my hand, although none wants to be held. A couple will respond to their individual names.

I don't think they're particularly nervous, but they do have a flock mentality. If someone runs, everyone is likely to take off in the same direction. I always like a good duck parade!

They are extremely food oriented and would follow me to the ends of the earth for a grape or two. And because they are MOSTLY flightless -- given the right circumstance, they can get airborne for a second or two -- they can be restrained with a two-foot fence.

Duck Parade. That's a good one. Interesting thought. Thanks.

I'll settle for eating out of the hand over being held also. The non-runner that used to let me hold her isn't right now. So, oh well.

Would it be possible to train them this way to say go from field to field, following you and not just into and out of the pens at night?

There's a video of some Thai rice duck farmer and he can train them to go into the truck, cross town, and into farmers fields that pay him.

I'm curious how well a normal person like us could also get them trained to do similar things also?

 

[nao57]

I've got 19 runners and they all run to the gate when they see me coming and run to me when I'm in the run. They also all go into their pens each night with no trouble. They are good ducks and are really fun to watch. Much better than TV!

So if you have 19...then does that mean with runners you could do more in a backyard than with other ducks?

I'm very interested in the optimum number someone could do before getting attention by neighbors.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[DuckyDonna]

So if you have 19...then does that mean with runners you could do more in a backyard than with other ducks?

I'm very interested in the optimum number someone could do before getting attention by neighbors.

Thanks a bunch.

Sorry, I have no idea what you mean. I only have runners and have never had other breeds of ducks so I can't answer that question.

I have a 50' x 50' (approximately) run for them that is secure top to bottom. I've been letting the 9 babies out in the yard while I change and clean their water buckets with my border collie watching them. They don't run off and if they try the dog gets things under control. They absolutely all follow each other. Where one goes so do the rest. I don't know if it works that way with other duck breeds.

Oh, I guess I should have mentioned we have 10 acres and tons of undeveloped land on all sides of us so neighbors are not an issue at all.

 

[Callender Girl]

I think you could get them to follow you almost anywhere, with some training. Part of my property is fenced off, and to go beyond the fence is to risk death by predator -- which is what happened to one of my first drakes, hence the fence. That area is not visible from the house, so no ducks allowed!

This week, some smart girl (Quinn, the undisputed runner queen) found a spot under the fence and lured three of her male admirers to the dark side. As soon as I spotted them, I ran out and yelled, "Duck, duck," and the truants returned to the yard in the middle of the day and with no visible treats.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think you could get them to follow you almost anywhere, with some training. Part of my property is fenced off, and to go beyond the fence is to risk death by predator -- which is what happened to one of my first drakes, hence the fence. That area is not visible from the house, so no ducks allowed!

This week, some smart girl (Quinn, the undisputed runner queen) found a spot under the fence and lured three of her male admirers to the dark side. As soon as I spotted them, I ran out and yelled, "Duck, duck," and the truants returned to the yard in the middle of the day and with no visible treats.

I bet they expected one though!