Walker's Indian Runner Tribe

[WalkerNom]

They're getting so big! Disco and Aurora are getting more black spots and I'm seeing more and more of
what look like teeny tiny feathers. They're so soft!

They haven't been up to much lately since mom (me) has been very busy and the weather hasn't been
nearly as nice as it was last week but as soon as it breaks we're definitely going for more adventures
outside! This week we will be taking a trip to grandma's to help work on their outdoor pen.

Other then that they are learning to come to me on command! They're pretty good at it too. I'd say
they have it down packed, but there's always one or two that seem to linger at the back.

Sorry for not having pictures or a video this time but I just didn't have the time.​

 

[Miss Lydia]

They're getting so big! Disco and Aurora are getting more black spots and I'm seeing more and more of
what look like teeny tiny feathers. They're so soft!

They haven't been up to much lately since mom (me) has been very busy and the weather hasn't been
nearly as nice as it was last week but as soon as it breaks we're definitely going for more adventures
outside! This week we will be taking a trip to grandma's to help work on their outdoor pen.

Other then that they are learning to come to me on command! They're pretty good at it too. I'd say
they have it down packed, but there's always one or two that seem to linger at the back.

Sorry for not having pictures or a video this time but I just didn't have the time.​

​

Happy Birthday @WalkerNom 8!!!.

 

[QuackSpeak]

They're getting so big! Disco and Aurora are getting more black spots and I'm seeing more and more of
what look like teeny tiny feathers. They're so soft!

They haven't been up to much lately since mom (me) has been very busy and the weather hasn't been
nearly as nice as it was last week but as soon as it breaks we're definitely going for more adventures
outside! This week we will be taking a trip to grandma's to help work on their outdoor pen.

Other then that they are learning to come to me on command! They're pretty good at it too. I'd say
they have it down packed, but there's always one or two that seem to linger at the back.

Sorry for not having pictures or a video this time but I just didn't have the time.​

​

Happy bday duckies! So cute that they come on command. Ellie and Luna do that too (Unless they are distracted by something (Shoelaces, grass, etc)). Luna is the one who is the most food motivated, and Ellie follows her, so it all works out. Love their little feet on the tile floor! Lol ducks are such heavy steppers.

We need a video next week!

Lol just kidding... We all completely understand! Your ducks are very cute though. Just curious: Do they seem to have a 'leader?' or a pecking order?

Never experienced a pecking order with my ducks, although there is always one more dominant one (I've only ever had two ducks at a time). Curious about your experiences with a larger flock

 

[WalkerNom]

@QuackSpeak - Interesting question! I'm not sure I know enough about duck body language yet to really know for sure. But Daisy Mae is really forward and she's the super friendly one. However, it just seems like Aurora is the big boss. Which is interesting because I've heard that the leader is usually the loudest one but Disco was the first to go from baby chirps to pre-teen lady quacks. It's much easier to tell who's at the bottom of the pecking order. I'd say that Kisses is at the very bottom. She doesn't get bullied(at least that I can tell) but she is very shy and she hangs back when there's a group in front of her. Then there's Hocus and Pocus above her.

I'm interested to see how their pecking order will change as Hershey (the drake) gets older. He's already pretty out going and usually comes up to me with the fawn/white girls.

 

[QuackSpeak]

@QuackSpeak - Interesting question! I'm not sure I know enough about duck body language yet to really know for sure. But Daisy Mae is really forward and she's the super friendly one. However, it just seems like Aurora is the big boss. Which is interesting because I've heard that the leader is usually the loudest one but Disco was the first to go from baby chirps to pre-teen lady quacks. It's much easier to tell who's at the bottom of the pecking order. I'd say that Kisses is at the very bottom. She doesn't get bullied(at least that I can tell) but she is very shy and she hangs back when there's a group in front of her. Then there's Hocus and Pocus above her.

I'm interested to see how their pecking order will change as Hershey (the drake) gets older. He's already pretty out going and usually comes up to me with the fawn/white girls.

The advantages of having a big flock

It's so cool to watch their behavior (Or listen to you talk about watching their behavior (Lol)). And I love that ducks don't hurt each other about pecking order disputes, normally. I've heard chickens can do a lot of damage.
Ellie used to be the more dominant one (As in Luna would follow her and try things after she did, etc), but then she hurt her leg and was sort of out of it for a while. When she started walking again, Luna seemed to be in charge

She still is, lol! She's the first one to come running for food when I call them, and Ellie follows her around a lot. Ellie is also a bit shyer, but not by much.

Gotta love ducks!

 

[WalkerNom]

@QuackSpeak - Oh I agree! My favorite thing to do is really watch animals and watch their body language and the other ways they communicate. I once watched a group of Turkey vultures (and three black vultures) from my bedroom window eat a goat leg that one of my neighbors threw into the woods. I know, not the most-loved animals but I still find them fascinating and was actually really happy that they were right outside my bedroom window and I didn't have to disturb them to watch. But I never knew that they also have a pecking order. They seemed to take turns eating from the leg so that everyone got their food. Really cool.

I've noticed when two ducklings get too close to each other while laying down one will quickly get up and let out a really loud peep as if to say, "Hey buddy, I was sitting there!" Before sitting back down again lol. It never amounts to anything though.

That's cute that you still have a "boss duck" in your pair And funny how Luna kinda took charge while Ellie was hurt.

 

[QuackSpeak]

@QuackSpeak - Oh I agree! My favorite thing to do is really watch animals and watch their body language and the other ways they communicate. I once watched a group of Turkey vultures (and three black vultures) from my bedroom window eat a goat leg that one of my neighbors threw into the woods. I know, not the most-loved animals but I still find them fascinating and was actually really happy that they were right outside my bedroom window and I didn't have to disturb them to watch. But I never knew that they also have a pecking order. They seemed to take turns eating from the leg so that everyone got their food. Really cool.

I've noticed when two ducklings get too close to each other while laying down one will quickly get up and let out a really loud peep as if to say, "Hey buddy, I was sitting there!" Before sitting back down again lol. It never amounts to anything though.

That's cute that you still have a "boss duck" in your pair

And funny how Luna kinda took charge while Ellie was hurt.

Lol those turkey vultures sound cool. I had a pair at my house a while ago; saw one this weekend. It scared me bc I was out with the ducklings. I know vultures are scavengers but I'm soo paranoid. Will it try to attack the ducklings, or ducks when they grow up?

Luna and Ellie are always snuggled so close together. Not all the time, but neither of them really cares about personal space

They only eek at each other if they start nosing at each other's feathers

 

[WalkerNom]

@QuackSpeak - Like you said, vultures are scavengers so I don't think they'd mess with your ducks. They seem pretty skittish actually and I've never seen one hunt BUT I'm not an expert on vultures so don't take my word for it.

Last time I was out with the ducks I saw a hawk flying over. I watched it as it started circling above us. Luckily it didn't get any closer since me and my dog were out there with them but it was still pretty scary. Needless to say, that outdoor trip was cut short!

 

[Sunshineagh]

I love this thread! My husband has ordered me some Runner ducks for my birthday in May. I should be getting them on May 10th! I'm beyond excited! I'm doing my research and finding out as much information on them as I can. We already own some Khaki Campbell ducks, some Silver Appleyard ducklings, and a whole host of chickens, quail, pheasants, and pigeons. I also have two dogs, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 beta fish. I love all my animals. I'm a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. While I provide therapy to my patients and students, these animals provide me therapy! Thank you for the information you provided! I will post pics of my ducklings when I receive them.

 

[WalkerNom]

@Sunshineagh - Thank you so much! That means a lot to me!

Congrats on getting some of your own runners! I know you will love them, just as I love mine! They really have a way of stealing your heart. I thought I'd never own a bird since my mom is afraid of them and so I never thought they would be so loveable. Boy was I wrong! I'm assuming you ordered from Metzer's, what colors did you get? Pictures are required :b

Also, I love all animals and have others myself. Two cats, two dogs, and a snake. So your other animals are welcome too!

Mini update: They were all sleeping right and I said, "Come here!" And they all got up and ran over to me! It was the most precious thing! I almost cried LOL!

I've also tried a few more things with them which I will be adding to the "What's Good (To Eat)?" section of this thread.