*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[TheResidentialFarm]

@MrsHudson221B , it's good to hear that your ducklings went to work right away! We just moved 3 (drakes I think) of our now 5 week olds into the garden in their new garden coop and I'm wondering how they'll do once we let them roam. We have a lot of slugs and weeds, which I grab and feed to the ducklings when I come across them, but I don't know how well they'll do on their own. Time will tell!

The trail cam shows a raccoon trying and failing to get into the new duck house last night....I'm not sure if that makes me feel more or less nervous. I refuse to risk putting the ducks in the garden until the drakes stay safe for a week.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

@TheResidentialFarm, ugh, I know what you mean about the predators. The game cam is super-useful, though. We've used it to track predators' routines so we can dispatch them when necessary. I hate waiting up all night...

I will say that it takes my ducklings a little while to settle down in new surroundings. Once they figure out the routine, they are happy to go to work! We've been making a concerted effort to make lots of introductions to new things. But, they are so routine driven, anything new can be a challenge.

My group also already tells time, and get angry when I'm early or late to do tasks around their pen. And, thankfully, already put themselves to bed in the evening. (Can't say the same for my stupid leghorns... been knocking them out of the trees at bedtime for the last six nights. Its always something, right?!?)

Good luck with your ducks, and I hope your raccoon finds somewhere else to be!

 

[BullFanny]

Hey, y'all! I'm new to you and new to raising ducks from eggs. I have a brown runner that is sitting 5 eggs. Three are hers and two are a khaki's (??). She started with 8 eggs and I began counting from when she consistently sat. Eggs kept disappearing until just 5. Questions: when will they hatch? It's day 28 (I think). Eggs don't show any movement. I read about candleing -- how do I do that and what do I look for? All these eggs are crossed with Cayuga.

 

[Chickens 4Ever]

I love runner ducks, and have four females. One fawn and white, a chocolate, a blue, a black. they're all about three months old. View attachment 1035465View attachment 1035466 View attachment 1035467View attachment 1035468

You black and grey runner looks so much like mine,

 

[Table4Six]

Aww! Runner ducks are so funny with their crazy personalities.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They really are and slobs too or its it just mine. These ladies and 1 gent have no table manners. lol

 

[Widlast]

Yes, that is for sure. They are terribly messy eaters, leave crumbles all over the place.
I need to put some thought in redesigning their feeder to cut down on the mess.

 

[Widlast]

Hey, y'all! I'm new to you and new to raising ducks from eggs. I have a brown runner that is sitting 5 eggs. Three are hers and two are a khaki's (??). She started with 8 eggs and I began counting from when she consistently sat. Eggs kept disappearing until just 5. Questions: when will they hatch? It's day 28 (I think). Eggs don't show any movement. I read about candleing -- how do I do that and what do I look for? All these eggs are crossed with Cayuga.

The incubation period for ducks (not Muscovy) is 28 days from the time that they are warmed til hatch. (it's around 35 days for Muscovy). This can vary a bit, depending on how consistent the temps were. They won't move until they are actively hatching.
Candling is somewhat involved but not "difficult", there are several articles on the web on how to go about candling, a good BRIGHT flashlight and something to help focus the light to the egg is all that is needed.

 

[Table4Six]

My four females are messy slobs too. They spill pellets and corn everywhere.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine usually have it all over their heads too. At the end of the day all feed left over goes into a bowl with water[ My Runners love this] but they get it all over themselves and each other. So most of the time before bed they get sprayed down with the hose.