Why didn't anyone tell me Runners can fly??? LOL

[TennesseeTruly]

Okay well, I hatched out runners in November and its been too cold to put them outside. We have them in a large pool, in the house,

which is driving me nuts. These ducks are now past 3 months old and if it doesn't warm up soon, we're going to have Runner duck for a few dinners!

Anyway, I heard some loud quacking and decided to go check to see what the heck was going on at 10:30pm. I opened up the door and a white Runner drake almost cold-cocked me with his wing as he flew past me! I hit the door then the floor! We have them out of the pool and running loose in the house, on hardwood floors every day for several hours but none have flown. They run all over the place but man he shocked the heck out of me when he flew.

I'm going to have to clip wings when I put them outside in the very near future, aren't I? Darn it!

Laurie

 

[chicks4kids]

That's just too cute!! Being in the house would be awful, but still cute that you have one trying to fly! I have a chicken that ilkes to be in the house...she tries every day, and succeeds, but eventually I put her out...

 

[nettie]

when they first get their wings in, they are small enough to get a little lift when they attempt to fly... they fill out a bit more and don't fly as well. my skinniest duck can only fly a few feet. He was probably startled when you came in, silly duck... you shouldn't have to clip them once they get outside

 

[patyrdz]

I had NO clue!

I have never seen mine fly! WOW you have some flying runners.lol

 

[TennesseeTruly]

There is an off chance that the little dickens had gotten himself up on a stand then flung himself at me as I opened the door...but there were wings going, quacking and me ducking and hitting the floor.

It sure looked close enough to flying to me!!! ROFL!!

I just sat my big butt on the floor stunned. It's really been one of those days.

Laurie

 

[TennesseeTruly]

Quote:
Thanks Nettie! It just has to warm up here! I'm so sick of cleaning smelly duck brooders!

If it would get up in the mid to high 40's consecutively, I could get them outside but its been in the teens. I MOVED SOUTH TO GET AWAY FROM THIS COLD AND SNOW!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Laurie

 

[patyrdz]

Quote:
The vision in my head made me snicker! Sounds like me with a near collison with a peahen!

It's suppose to be in the 40's all week here! YAY

 

[momma's chickens]

Oh I feel for you. I have 7 Runners and a pair of Welsh Harlequins and they were outside in a small pen and it stunk. We just moved them to a much bigger pen. You have yours in your house??!

 

[cw]

Quote:
i got my wife some 1 day old runner ducklings for christmas (the week after)and they have been outside for a couple weeks now, they have never been happier, they do have a heat lamp but hardly get under it even at night when the temps are in the teens, were you at in tn? i think the most important thing is to keep them from the wind, we are debatin on lettin them free range with the chickens

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have had house ducks since I started hatching in August. I cant remember how many containers of airfreshner I have been through. I have used a stack of newspaper 4 foot tall, and 7 bags of pine shavings. I have three in my living room, and 5 eggs left in the incubator. I cant wait for these last lot to hatch and go outside so I can have my lounge room back. But it will seem empty. I will be having my ducklings somewhere else next season for sure.

As for the flying. None of mine in the back yard have done more than have a good old flap when they get out of the pool. I have seen a friends Runner, wings outstretched flapping, but it never got off the ground.

Hope it warms up for you soon. At least my house ducks are only inside for a month and then go outside to make room for the next lot just hatched, But 3 month olds... must be a real handful.