Runner Ducks from herding

[TSOWOATNKC]

Last week I realized that one of my runners wasn’t the female it was supposed to be when I saw the drake feather.

I found a woman on Craigslist that was selling five 2 mths Runner ducks. She had bought them to practice herding with her collie, but the dog just kept rolling in the poo and found them difficult to work with.

I bought them and they’re currently in our meet and greet pen. Ducks are normally a bit nervous, runners can be moreso from what I’ve read. These ducks seem like they’re in a constant panic attack! Anytime anyone human or dog passes they panic! Not in the you can be over there, we’re going to be over here sense; in the trampling each other and clustering together to get as far away as possible sense.

So far our other ducks haven’t tried to fight thru the fence and seem only mildly curious. I don’t plan to release them to general population for awhile yet so they can be protected a bit longer.

Has anyone encountered formerly herded/trial ducks before? Are they always going to be like this?

 

[chickens really]

I don't think it's because of herding that has them scared. They need time to adjust to the move and to get familiar with you. Sit by the Run and just talk to them. They should calm down in a week or two. Once they aren't so scared toss a few treats for them too. Best wishes.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Runners are just super-spazzy, and like all poultry HATE change. Try to keep things as consistent as possible and give them plenty of time. They will eventually come around.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Runners are basically just a more nervous duck and panic is what they do. My Runners are over 2 yrs now and still are not near as trusting as my Muscovy's Just their nature. I wouldn't be surprised if when it's time for them to be let out with the group that your Runner drake and the females will hang together as their own little flock. Giving them time and sitting with them of course helps and getting them accustomed to where they will live dogs walking by etc will all be good but they are young so it will take time. I want to see some pics I just love little Runners.

 

[Knighstar679]

I have seen runners worked by experienced herding dogs and inexperienced they were equally as flighty and nervous.

I got my ducks for herding practice but I chose a less nervous breed of duck after reading and seeing how nervous runners can be. So I don’t think it is the fact that they were used as herding practice that made the so nervous but just their natural demeanor.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I’ve incorporated other runners that weren’t from herding in, and they weren’t anything like this. Not even close to this high strung.

 

[chickens really]

I’ve incorporated other runners that weren’t from herding in, and they weren’t anything like this. Not even close to this high strung.

Human contact plays a big role in Birds. Give them time. I've had rescues that fly into fences and act like I'm killing them. All Rehomed or here and totally calm. It takes time and understanding them..

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

They escaped out of the meet and greet pen and integrated themselves early this morning. Until we get the pekin drakes out of there I don’t really want them out with everyone, so I’ll have to put them back. They’re only two months old, and our pekin drakes are pinning down and raping anyone and everyone they can. They integrated well though.

 

[chickens really]

They escaped out of the meet and greet pen and integrated themselves early this morning. Until we get the pekin drakes out of there I don’t really want them out with everyone, so I’ll have to put them back. They integrated well though.

Why not if getting along?...

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I edited my post. My pekin drakes are pinning everyone down and raping them. These runners are only two months old and it’s scary enough when they do it to fully grown runners.