US SOP for gray/mallard runners?

[ibarbidahl]

I've got plenty of experience with Welsh Harlequins and ebony runners, but none with gray/mallard runners. Does anyone have the SOP for the United States they could share some information?
I ended up with 2 trout runners out of an ebony hen and a chocolate drake but I'm not sure she's show quality. Her stance is... OK - but not nearly as good as her mother who we lost and that is why we incubated. I'll keep the hen showing the best qualities, but would like to know which one that is!

Help!

 

[ronott1]

Did you try posting this question on the Duck thread?

@WVduckchick might be able to help

 

[WVduckchick]

This Article by @Pyxis may be helpful to you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mallard-derived-duck-color-genetics-basics.74277/

@shawluvsbirds I think has a book (SOP included?) and may be able to add some thoughts, where to get the book, etc. @Isaac 0 is good with colors and duck genetics also.

There are probably some Facebook groups that could help too.

 

[Isaac 0]

Here are some snip-bits out of Storey's Guide for Raising Ducks.

For Runners,

"Faults to avoid include low body station; short, stocky bodies with prominent shoulders and chests; short necks; round heads with prominent foreheads; short bills, and/or concave topline; and tails that are constantly cocked upward even when the bird is excited"

An outstanding exhibition Runner is smooth, slender, and nearly vertical, with an imaginary straight line running through the back of the head through the neck and body to the tip of tail. Everything else being equal, the taller the bird and the longer the straighter, it's bill the better.


https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/runner#:~:text=The Runner, also known as,and 4 1/2 pounds.&text=There are more color types,, Cumberland Blue, and Gray.

 

[ibarbidahl]

We've shown runners before so I do understand the main characters, but I don't know what color faults are for this variety. I've never even seen a grey/mallard runner in person until this one hatched. Is she supposed to have blue bars? Brown? Under color of wings? Is the eye stripe supposed to be 2, or 3 barred? Are hens supposed to have white ring or no? Some runners also carry a standard for flesh color on legs and bills.

Thanks for trying gang. I'll keep looking for someone selling a used copy of the APA book.
Meanwhile - I'm still searching for a nice fawn and white or ebony penciled drake.

 

[Amer]

We've shown runners before so I do understand the main characters, but I don't know what color faults are for this variety. I've never even seen a grey/mallard runner in person until this one hatched. Is she supposed to have blue bars? Brown? Under color of wings? Is the eye stripe supposed to be 2, or 3 barred? Are hens supposed to have white ring or no? Some runners also carry a standard for flesh color on legs and bills.

Thanks for trying gang. I'll keep looking for someone selling a used copy of the APA book.
Meanwhile - I'm still searching for a nice fawn and white or ebony penciled drake.

Blue speculum and slaty brown primaries
1 eyestripe. A problem with grey Runners is they often have multiple, a fault that can be seen at hatch.
Hens have no neck stripe.
Beak: dull orange with a brown blotch and dark bean
Feet: pale orange

Grey Runners are the same pattern as Mallards.

 

[ibarbidahl]

Dang her speculum isn't blue. It's smoky/brownish...that's the chocolate showing through. She hasn't completed her 16 week molt, but I have never seen a speculum change like that so I'm not holding my breath. That stinks.

If she wasn't progeny of my daughters prized hen I wouldn't give a second thought to giving her to someone else, anyone in Florida want a good looking hen that just isn't SQ?

The info is much appreciated. I know the UK and US descriptions vary, but wasn't sure how much.