runners? What color?

[georgialee]

These are supposed to be runners but their beaks don't look like runners... do they get the long beaks later? Also, they're supposed to be trout colored but I thought trout have eyestripes as ducklings. Any idea on what color they might be? The feet are kind of gray and their beaks have some dark and some orange. Their down is kind of gray with a tiny bit of yellow on the tips of the down in some areas.

 

[georgialee]

are all the duck people sleeping?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Some may be already... I have had 10 just hatch over the last few days.. I will take a pic of them now for you to compare with.

 

[duckyfromoz]

The beaks do look out of proportion in size at this age.


As to the colour... If they dont have the eye stripes they are not a trout, But they could be a trout cross - You might just have to wait until you see some feather growing to know - but they will be dark in colouring.

 

[georgialee]

Thanks! They do look the same so at least the breed is right, lol. I'm dissapointed that they're not the color they were supposed to be though.

 

[tia]

Here are some of my runner ducklings to compare. Mine have a blue runner dad, and fawn and white, or buff mom.

This is one of them when younger, so you can compare the bill. I think it looks pretty small to begin with and gets longer fast, within a week or so.

Yours look black in some of the pictures, but I see a little bit lighter chest. I have never seen a trout duckling, only an adult, so not sure what they look like as ducklings. Hope this helps.

 

[gofasterstripe]

That lat pic id a beauty Tia...cant wait to see it feathered out.
Georgialee, cute ducklings, congrats.

 

[georgialee]

Cute pictures!

Ok, so Im pretty sure they're runners. I wish I knew what color!

 

[animalpro24]

They could be black maybe chocolate. but they don't seem to be trout in coloring. the beaks do look pretty small but they are ducklings. Who knows maybe you have tiny black call ducks. They are very cute what ever they are.

 

[Oregon Blues]

They look like they are standing more upright, so are at least hatchery quality runners. The hatchery quality often won't stand up as tall as the breeder birds. On the other hand, it's difficult to tell about stance with one photo.

Bills on runners should not be longer than normal. What is different about Runner bills is that they are level with the top of the head.