Runner Ducks

[ml]

Hi, I got 9 fawn white runners from ideal/via the feed store. Any one have pictures of their runners? Will they lay eggs in 5 months. Reg duck eggs or large size eggs?

Thanks for any info.

ML

 

[DrakeMaiden]

The eggs will be regular sized, but somewhat elongated. Runners are supposed to be one of the best ducks for regular egg laying.

 

[SandraChick]

Runners are the best for egg laying...

My female would lay 30-45 days in a row before skipping one day!!!!

Snif Snif....still haven't been able to trap the coon that got her!!!!

Here are some pics for you!

THey're lots of fun! WAY GOOFY!

Sandra

 

[ml]

Sandra thanks for that lovely picture. Mine look very similar. Was worried cause they are runners but dont seem as slender and tall as the runner pictures have seen. One is a buff and wondered if she was a Cambell sent with the group. They little hens now have the drakes chatting to them. They are the funniest group to watch. They are on a mission, not sure what and run all over the place. My mallards are with them and seem quite happy to stay with them.

ML

 

[GoodEgg]

Quote:
ML,

My runners (I finally decided that's what they must be) aren't quite so tall and slender either. But I have found pics online of ducks with the exact coloring and similar build called runners, so I'm pretty sure my pair are runners and not crosses as I first thought. The drake does have a slimmer, longer neck than the duck. Both are lighter than the other pair, which I am not so sure of the identity of, that resemble black swedish.

My runner started laying just a week or so ago, and lays every day now. She was almost exactly 4-1/2 months when she started laying. The seasons I believe have some effect also? But yours should be perfect time of year to lay.

I love what you said about being on a mission, LOL. My little squad is always on a mission too, the little troop moving here and there on reconnaissance for I-don't-know-what (probably grass seeds and bugs) and patrolling the yard.

They sure are characters! Enjoy your ducks!

trish

 

[ml]

Trish , thank you for your responce. 4 and 1/2 months that is one busy girl. My hens have started to have alot of interest in the drakes, and it does not matter if a runner or pekin drake. One hen adores a pekin and he has not a clue yet thank goodness. She follows him every where with a head bob.

I have also noticed one that is sitting in a nest every day but no eggs yet from her. Sevearl chicks/pullets same age are starting to lay.

A trip to the grocery store yesterday shocked me at the price of 1.99 for a carton of large chicken eggs. Think the last ones got from the produce market were either 99 cents or 1.29. Duck eggs at the egg auction normally go for 2.00 and up.
Never gave it a thought till recently that some folks are allergic to chicken eggs. Maybe my girls can help some one out.

The runners are so cool can pick them up and pet them. Hope they all stay this tame.
ML

 

[birdlover]

Hey ML!! How's it going?? I have two white/fawn runners I got as babies last spring; Donald and Daisy! (How original, huh?) They are...um...almost 4 months old and jump in the kiddie pool to you-know-what every morning when I let them out of the coop!

They hang with my chickens and think they are chickens themselves. When I throw out a treat, like say tomatoes, they have learned they have to get in there and grab or they won't get any. Now, Leviticus, my only roo, has become annoyed with them and tries to flog them when they join the crowd for snacks! They still get some though. Tell me about your set up. Mine are in the coop with my 7 chickens but they sure do make a mess every night/morning.

Did you know I'm taking care of bantam chicks again at the farm I worked at last fall?

Ellen

 

[ml]

hey Ellen how are you? A zillion peeps you are caring for. That is so much fun to see what they will feather out to be.

I keep my runners in a large above ground wheeled, sort of like a mail cart of steel. It is like 2 .5 feet by 4 feet long on wheels. I put down a board on top and bottom with a wire window. I made a ramp for them to walk/run into it each am and night to go in. It is bedded down with hay. They run up the ramp to go in and down in the am. They run in circles before they go to sleep at night is quite funny.
It is home to them and they seem happy.

I bought them a baby pool just like Sandra has. The pool has a ramp that they can walk in and out of. They have learned to use that ramp. They also have three kittly litter tubs to play in tool.

They are so much fun these ducks, and they seem to love all foods. My chickens wont share the tomatoes. The turkey will grab them out of my hand and run full steam with his prize. So far the ducks have not cashed in on the tomato crop this year.

ML

 

[SandraChick]

Hey ML and birdlover....

I'm surprised the roo is "winning" against the ducks...usually ducks rule---but it still can change especially when the drakes become ultra protective of their females.

Drakes have a "moving" territory. Basically, it's a certain amount of space around the female...so it's whereever the female is!

I too have a ramp into my duck coop. No more water tub in there though---too messy. Just enough water for night time snacks...as ducks don't sleep all night like chickens do. If the ducks aren't in their coop when it's lock up time, I begin by clapping. It's like they know they're going to get herded in if they don't go on their own when I'm clapping (learned that from a neighbor)

Good luck guys!
Sandra

 

[dragonlili]

ml, I got my runners from Ideal, too. They do not stand upright like most I've seen on Feathersite, etc. I wonder if they are a cross w/ Pekins. Mine are about 3.5 months now so no hanky panky yet. They are characters.

I have mine in an 8*8 pen with a small 2*3 duck house and a kiddie pool in the pen. I let them free range when I can watch.

Duck people: What is the head bobbing about?? I have a pair, but Lazlo is the haed bobber and Lucy is not. Is Lazlo Lucy and Lucy Lazlo? These are my first ducks and I am clueless!