*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[SidUccle]

Well, so far no success getting my ducks to use their new pool. Tried putting them in 2 at a time very slowly & quietly (think I ended up wetter than they did). Put in some grass & such to make it look less brightly colored. Put in treats. Dug a little trench for one side so it was lower to the ground. Built a ramp.

This is the problem I was having with our large rubber livestock trough, which they've had access to all along.

The ducks look great still, so it really seems to have been about the bathing, but I didn't think I'd have this much trouble convincing them to bathe.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Hello All! We are interested in getting 2 female runner ducks, anyone know where we can buy just 2? We have 2 cambells and 2 welsh harlequins on their way here within a week and really want 2 runners. I see most places make you order 6-10 at a time and since we are new to this, we dont want that many! Also looking for a solid built coop that will house all of them comfortably when full size, any suggestions as to where we can purchase? I noticed most coops seem to be very flimsy and we dont want to spend alot and dont want to build one since we are new at this! We were thinking of finding a dog kennel that has a house attached that looks like a small shed but so far pricing is cray expensive! Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[fowlman01]

Well, so far no success getting my ducks to use their new pool. Tried putting them in 2 at a time very slowly & quietly (think I ended up wetter than they did). Put in some grass & such to make it look less brightly colored. Put in treats. Dug a little trench for one side so it was lower to the ground. Built a ramp.

This is the problem I was having with our large rubber livestock trough, which they've had access to all along.

The ducks look great still, so it really seems to have been about the bathing, but I didn't think I'd have this much trouble convincing them to bathe.

Some ducks are what I call "dirty ducks", they don't go into the water. A lot of birds follow by example. If they see others swimming and splashing they will do it too. If they don't go in on their own, leave the pool set up with clean water and catch those dirty ducks every few days and swish them around in the pool to be certain that their heads are totally wet. Eventually they will take to the water...... .although it may take some time. Once one gets in they will all get in.

Walt

 

[qwackers]

HELP! The light on my bator went off and temp dropped to 25'c runner eggs are cold to touch. I'm on day 20. Not sure how long it had been off. I had them on a warm hot water bottle with my hands over them trying to warm them while bator got back up to heat. It had now so back in but eggs are still cool. Helllppp.what can I do? Is it too late? They can't die, one of my cats died recently

 

[DukesAngel]

I'm in this club too I think!! Bought my first 2 runners and have 5 more coming tomm! I *almost* like them more than chickens!

 

[SidUccle]

Thanks again, Walt. You've been so helpful. I'll keep trying to help their bathing instincts kick in.

 

[stonykill]

I'm in this club too I think!! Bought my first 2 runners and have 5 more coming tomm! I *almost* like them more than chickens!

I do like them more than my chickens. And I love my chickens. Runners are just plain old entertainment with a side order of massive amounts of really big eggs to boot!

 

[fowlman01]

HELP! The light on my bator went off and temp dropped to 25'c runner eggs are cold to touch. I'm on day 20. Not sure how long it had been off. I had them on a warm hot water bottle with my hands over them trying to warm them while bator got back up to heat. It had now so back in but eggs are still cool. Helllppp.what can I do? Is it too late? They can't die, one of my cats died recently

Sorry I didn't see this until now. You did everything you can do and now you will have to wait. Usually they will still hatch if it happens 20 days or later. Hopefully they will this time.

Walt

 

[qwackers]

Thanks Walt, glad in a way then that we are on day 20 now, phew!

 

[fowlman01]

Thanks Walt, glad in a way then that we are on day 20 now, phew!

No guarantee's, but I have had the power off here for 16 hours and still had some hatch if they were well along or just in the beginning. If you lose power in the middle of the cycle you usually lose the birds.

Walt