The Poultry Keeper

Old Man of the 80's · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Wittering, UK

Where can I get my hands on some of these? I've got plans afoot for spring now I've had my chicken flock drastically reduced. I could either re-stock with chickens or, as I'm starting afresh more or less, with a few ducks.

I've started a thread in General and Misc and had a few good suggestions made. As yet, no-one's told me where I can buy runners.

http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=11988

I'm after around the three ducks and a drake mark. I'd prefer not to have white birds as I think they could look scruffy after a while.

Khaki Campbells are another option. I've heard they are less flighty (in temperament) than runners and both are very good for eggs.

Let's hear from the owners then. Where did you get yours from? I'm pretty much smack in the middle of the country and travel a fair bit with work, so could collect from almost anywhere between Newquay and Stranraer!

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 500 Location: gwent

i am still looking to rehome some indian runner duck drakes if anyone is interested but do not have any females ducks to go with them sorry i have one black with a white mottled chest and also have two pure blacks which are unrelated to the other drake they are wonderful birds and give hours of entertainment i have an add under the poultry sales section will bump it up now.I would recommend these ducks to anyone who has enough room for them they are really lovley birds Smile

barncat · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 4

I'm on the look out for some Indian Runners in need of re-homing. Ducks in lay preferably and a drake or two.

Happy to travel to collect.

allymickie · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 50

I have 3 irds and they are 6 weeks old. I had them at 2 days old from a lady in Waltham Abbey, she advertised eggs on ebay and after I contacted her she allowed me to come and buy some ducklings. I'm not sure of the sexes, obviously I am hoping that only one is a drake but who knows. I have one fawn & white, one chocolate with a white bib and one lavender and white. They are absolutely great, fun to watch and quite friendly. They are easy to catch and go to bed as soon as they see me coming in the evening. They live with my chickens and seem to get along ok but do like to chase the bantams once in a while! I've read that the quack of a female is louder and clearer than the males and the males have a softer, lower quack but only two quack at the moment and I'm not sure if the two that do quack are drakes as they are bigger than the other one and pretty loud. I don't really care because if they are both drakes, I'll just get some more! They are very addictive!

ukmastiff · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

Hi, i am no expert having only had Runners for a year. However we just got out 1st female (from Waltham abbey) and the difference in the quack from our previous 3 who were male, is unbelievable. trust me if it
' quacks proper ' its a girl Razz

We are in North Herts , maybe local to you if you went to Waltham Abbey ?

Cheers Mas

ukmastiff · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

Here are pics of my one remaining Drake , and his new young lady companion. We both think he seems to look like a fair specemin and though were not too bothered would be interested to know if he is. HE seems to have a nice wild duck colouring.

We have had Morris for a year but dont know how old he is , Daphny is around 16 weeks.

The young girl is just ' brown' at the mo so not much to see but I would still like to know if she is or will be a particular ' colour' . Any comments welcome

Cheers Mas

surrey bird · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 61 Location: SURREY

ok, I know i shouldn't have done it, went to bird sale for a cockatiel and came back with 6 crested runner ducklings as well.

I now find they may be Bali runner ducklings?

I red there is something about not breeding two with crests together, not bought for breeding particularly but if we get that far, is anyone going to want to swap an uncrested for a crested as at least 4 have crests. I bet they are related as well.

Also does a sort of bump in the feathers you can hardly see still count as a crest? They vary from a pom pom to a little mark in the feather.

Think I may have got in to something bigger than i thought here.

B

They are white.

ukmastiff · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

We could do with forming a london and the home counties ( I.E not half way accross the country sub group lol ) so stay in touch. I have no experience of Bali's other than what I have read but like most animals I suspect the crests will come more prominent as they mature.

We are still struggling to start our flock of Runners / Khaki's and Appleyards crest or no crest , I hope you have a few lady ducks in your six Very Happy

allymickie · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 50

If anyone is interested I found a man who is selling IR's in Seven oaks Kent. He has some lovely colours, male and females. He has a picture of them on birdtrader.com. His phone number is 01732 460074 and they are £15 each. If he wasn't so far from me I would be over like a shot!

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1185 Location: Cornwall

That drake in the photos isn't pure runner duck, it looks like a cross between runner and mallard.

ukmastiff · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

Hi, now you've said it It wouldnt suprise me dont get me wrong. BUT the pictures dont exactly show him standing very tall and in the flesh he certainly stands like a runner. Is it just the colour or the stance and general appearence as well ? Im interested and dont mind what ever the outcome he was only a rescue the poor man Wink

Cheers Mas

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1185 Location: Cornwall

This is what he should look like posture wise

Runner Duck Association/standard

If he was a mallard coloured runner he'd have a white chest.

Thats the best site for seeing if your runners are pure bred and if so what they should look like.

Doesnt matter if he's a pet, cos you'll love him whoever his parents were.

ukmastiff · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

I have no problem whatsoever if hes not a runner trust me , and its true I have little experience in Runners. BUT quoting a breed standard doesnt mean much. I am a dog breed judge and see very few dogs in the ring that match up closely to their breed standard.

Often in our breed it is hard to find one in the ring who you can definately say IS a pure breed , but rules is rules you have to judge whatever is before you Wink

I have taken a better picture of Morris with Daphney ( who defo is a runner) , is Morris defo a cross breed or is he not just a Runner who doesnt have the greatest stance/comformation ?

Like I said please dont think I mind but he just looks a bit too similar to be a 'mongrel' to me , can anyone else cast a vote before I condemn him Cool

Im should be picking up some Black Runners tomorrow , I'll probably post some pics of them and find out they are Crows Laughing

surrey bird · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 61 Location: SURREY

black runners, sound nice Very Happy