*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[Nyssa03]

I have one drake that does fine when left with the flock, and in the past I have had drakes that had to be kept separate (a boys only pen and house) because they were very hard on the ducks even though there were 12 ducks to the 2 drakes. The problem I had was when I separated the drakes, they fought with each other. Because of some research -- I separated them even further so they could not even see the ducks -- this still did not help, and I was constantly having to treat wounds and separate the hurt one. I gave up and sent them to freezer camp

 

[FowlPrincess]

I have one drake that does fine when left with the flock, and in the past I have had drakes that had to be kept separate (a boys only pen and house) because they were very hard on the ducks even though there were 12 ducks to the 2 drakes. The problem I had was when I separated the drakes, they fought with each other. Because of some research -- I separated them even further so they could not even see the ducks -- this still did not help, and I was constantly having to treat wounds and separate the hurt one. I gave up and sent them to freezer camp

Freezer camp. LMAO

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I have 2 questions. First I would like to know what my drakes are doing when they walk around with their heads tucked into their chest and their hair puffed out on their heads? I see all of them doing this at the same time and I have no idea what they are doing.
Second I want to know if my muscovy/ indian runner mix ducklings will quack or just chirp like my muscovy?

I'm not sure exactly what they are doing, my 2 drakes do this too. I've translated it to mean, "if anybody out there is watching, these are my ducks. You mess with my ducks, you mess with me."
Do yours also do a "head shake and whistle dip" as I call it? Obviously, I adore my drakes, they're the best

Sorry, I can't help with the scovy cross, I have no experience with those.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I have 3 fawn and white runners, born March 6, 2014. How do I tell drake from duck? I ordered 3 ducks, but one has been mounting the other two and going through the motions. This morning I saw that particular one on the bottom and one of the others on top going through the motions! I had a hen that molested the other hens, I know she was a hen because I witnessed her laying eggs! I figured it was about dominance. So, back to the ducks, would that be the same thing? I really don't want a drake. Don't drakes get curly tail feathers? None of mine have any.

And one more thing, these runners are just over 6 months old, when will they start laying?

Thank ya'll for your responses, I saw Runner Duck Club thread and thought if anybody knows, someone here surely will!

My runners hatched around the same time! As others have pointed out, you can't always tell gender from "mating." But if you watch closely and it is a male, you will be able to see his penis come out of the vent while mating and then slowly go back in after. Kinda weird, I know, but you'll be able to tell for sure this way. It might be difficult to see though if they are in a deep/large body of water. Mine just have little shallow tubs of water that they can stand in. My drakes also whistle, fall sideways off the female and then sprint around with their necks stuck out parallel to the ground right after they are finished (like a victory lap I guess? Haha!).

At this age, you can definitely tell by voice, too. The males sound like frogs, the females quack. The males will also have a curly feather on their tale. It sounds like you might have all the same gender if you don't see the difference yet.

 

[Baymule]

My runners hatched around the same time! As others have pointed out, you can't always tell gender from "mating." But if you watch closely and it is a male, you will be able to see his penis come out of the vent while mating and then slowly go back in after. Kinda weird, I know, but you'll be able to tell for sure this way. It might be difficult to see though if they are in a deep/large body of water. Mine just have little shallow tubs of water that they can stand in. My drakes also whistle, fall sideways off the female and then sprint around with their necks stuck out parallel to the ground right after they are finished (like a victory lap I guess? Haha!).

At this age, you can definitely tell by voice, too. The males sound like frogs, the females quack. The males will also have a curly feather on their tale. It sounds like you might have all the same gender if you don't see the difference yet.

I think I have 2 drakes and 1 duck. Drats. When I let them out of the pen, they run for the bathtub and the one duck gets mounted twice by each drake. They do the falling off thing just like a rabbit. Then they dive, splash and they all have a cigarette. The one duck started laying and I get one egg a day. One. Feeding 3 ducks and all I get is one egg. I already have Pekins in the freezer, so don't really want to add these to the ice pack. Maybe I'll see if the nice lady at the Chinese restaurant would like a nice duck dinner......maybe three dinners....

These aren't real good quality runners, and I don't want to set the eggs to get more of them, hoping for more females. I got them because I think Runners are cool and I still do, just not these. Their posture is more like a regular duck than a Runner. I'm just disappointed to have spent the money to buy them, raise them, feed them and I get one lousy egg a day. Grumble grumble. I was disappointed in their quality, but consoled myself that I would at least get eggs and now I don't even get that. Phooey!

Thank you TracyLovesDucks for your help. What you described convinced me even further that I have 2 drakes. Oh well, poultry is an ever moving target. We keep the best and eat the rest.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hey, you're telling me! I have 6 females and I've been getting one egg a day for... the last five days! All is good though, I really enjoy my ducks Sometimes it seems like a big hassle for little return, but they're so great and I know soon they'll all start laying. Then they just might be able to finally pay me the rent they owe!

If they don't brutalize your female, maybe your ducks just need a little more time to grow on you. You could post pictures here if you wanted to know exactly what mix they are. Sorry to hear you got dooped in to buying non-runner runners!

 

[MWAFORD]

...

I'm not sure exactly what they are doing, my 2 drakes do this too. I've translated it to mean, "if anybody out there is watching, these are my ducks. You mess with my ducks, you mess with me."
Do yours also do a "head shake and whistle dip" as I call it? Obviously, I adore my drakes, they're the best

Sorry, I can't help with the scovy cross, I have no experience with those.
[/quote
Yes mine do the head dip also. I have no idea what this stuff means.

 

[Mlandsteiner]

Hello All, first time here. First time duck owner!

Some how I talked myself into two beautiful drakes.
Do I need to have females?

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hello All, first time here. First time duck owner!

Some how I talked myself into two beautiful drakes.
Do I need to have females?

Aww!

I have 2 drakes with 6 females, so can't speak from experience. But I think it could work out fine. As long as they have each other (you never want just one duck because they are such social creatures). Just watch to make sure they don't start to fight one another. Not sure what they would fight about since they don't have any ladies and I don't think ducks get territorial.

Let's see what everyone else has to say!

Edit - Looks like it's no problem: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/854402/can-i-have-two-drakes

 

[goingducks]

My runner duck kinda stands like a regular duck not a runner. (She doesn't stand straight up) She looks just like a runner and when I bought her they said she was a runner. She is about 6 Months old does it take them a while to stand really straight up?