Runner ducks not....runnery?

[yickenscarf23]

I bought 3 runner ducks from ideal. They're 4 months old and not in the slightest do they have an upright build or way of going. Bad quality stock or are they a different breed? This is the best photo I could get as they are quite flighty and hate me the way the black one is standing is about as upright as they will stand

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Looks Cayuga to me. Both @WannaBeHillBilly and I had breed problems with our last orders from Ideal. Our Buffs were Saxonys and our Magpies were from hell. My Swedish had no bib and looked just like your "runner". I don't see any runners in your picture but there are better experts here than me.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Also my avatars are only half runner and you can see how upright they are.

 

[MerryMeridional]

I posted a thread with the same issue. Black runners from Ideal.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ideal-hatchery-and-breeds.1320414/

Yours look like mine. I have 1 crested and 4 regular "runners," and the crested is slightly more "runner"y than the others, being more upright and slender, more of a bow legged/waddley run when she moves fast. The other 4 look like miniature long necked cayugas.

I got in touch with the hatchery. I didn't demand anything, but they did offer a refund for the birds, which I accepted.

Mine aren't really that flighty I don't think. They aren't wanting to sit in my lap or anything, but they are personable enough. They like to hang out near me and definitely associate me with food. If they are hungry in the evening and I am slow about putting out more feed, they will nibble on my sandals and the hem of my pants. They are not fond of being picked up.

 

[DucksOhio]

I “inherited” similar ducks from my neighbor. I hadn’t a clue what they were.

My vet says their Runners. Mine are white, though, not black.

 

[MerryMeridional]

Here are my black "runners" from Ideal. They look just like yours. That is what they sell, there was no error. If you are not pleased with that, contact their customer service. They say they strive for 100% customer satisfaction.

I will say, they started producing eggs surprisingly early. Between 17-18 weeks.

 

[DucksOhio]

Here are my black "runners" from Ideal. They look just like yours. That is what they sell, there was no error. If you are not pleased with that, contact their customer service. They say they strive for 100% customer satisfaction.

I will say, they started producing eggs surprisingly early. Between 17-18 weeks.

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They are very striking looking! I love them!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

These look like Cayuga too. I would order from Ideal again as the price point and the ability to pick them up out weighs breed specifics for me. ThAt said my runner muttlings have been my best ducks ever and I can't wait for my new ones to hatch. They are goofy like everyone says.

 

[MerryMeridional]

These look like Cayuga too. I would order from Ideal again as the price point and the ability to pick them up out weighs breed specifics for me. ThAt said my runner muttlings have been my best ducks ever and I can't wait for my new ones to hatch. They are goofy like everyone says.

Yep, definitely mixed with cayuga. That coloration doesn't lie! However they are in the correct weight range, my biggest gal is about 4lbs. Cayugas are more medium bodied and slightly stockier. So I have some sort of mutts, but as you say, you can't beat their price point. And to ship from TX to OR, was only $9! The cost of ducklings doubled with shipping added in from Metzer

I'm going to wait a couple months til I form a full opinion. Mine just started laying. We shall see what their egg size and production shapes up to be once they settle into a routine and are a little more mature.

 

[MerryMeridional]

They are very striking looking! I love them!

Thank you! I think they are very pretty and are amusing to watch from my patio. They are not what I was expecting but have their own attractive qualities