Indian runner ducks

[1chris1]

hi all,
i am new here with no experience at all about Indian runner ducks . i would like to own some and before i do i would like help and information.
i have always wanted to keep poultry on a small scale for eggs. i have started to grow my own veg over the last couple of years and all has gone well with good crops. my only problem has been the amount of time i have had to spend on slug and snail patrol.
up to an hour or more every night during the growing season.
i have read that Indian runner ducks could be the answer to my slug problem and also be a great choice for first time poultry owner.
i have a few questions such as :
are they a good choice?
are they easy to look after?
minimum amount to keep together?
will they tolerate other pets? dogs/ cats?
do they need access to water tub?
any advice most welcome.

thanks
chris

 

[Ducks4us]

Hi, this will be my first year keeping a garden with ducks. We are just getting ready to start our first large garden But from all i have read and people i have chatted with, indian runners are great for exactly what you want.
I have 10 female runners- almost 5 weeks old
There are amazing at slug/snail/worm patrol. Its soo cute watching them run the grass first thing in the morning. And its amazing how many they find.
They are a light breed, so less likely to trample. They are only 3-4 lbs full grown. So easy / cheap to feed.
They are on the list as best pest control breed
They are also on the list for being one of the best layer breeds at 200 + eggs per year many saying 300 or more the first year laying
Minimum for ducks i would say is 3
They dont do well alone. With 3 if something should happen to one they still have each other with 2 left
Although as long as there is 2 they will be happy.
We have 4 dogs. 3 small and 1 big, they are fine with the ducks and the ducks fine with them. They arent bothered by barking at all. But if the dogs get to running around wild they will get out of the way and head back to their saftey area.
They need a secure house at night which can be a well ventilated dog house with a latching door. Or a larger coop style house. They dont roost high like chickens. So they just need a dry house for night. And protection from predators.
They cant fly, and cant jump high. So a 3 foot fence is adequate for containing them.
They need access to deep enough water to dunk their head to keep nose and eyes clean and clear.
They dont "have " to have a big pool. Althought they do need enough water to submerge in at minimum few times a week to keep their feathers clean and in good condition. A kiddy pool will work fine.
However i know the hatchery i ordered from- metzers- provides sprinklers daily since they cant have a pond/ pool big enough.
Either way they will need a way to get wet and clean themselves.
And when it comes to cats and dogs most important will be to make sure the dogs and cats are safe around the ducks. Thats more of a problem since they will run if chased or scared.
If socialized from early tho they wont be skittish around normal activity of cats and dogs.
Cant think of much else to add

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Ducks4us is right on. I got ducks last summer hoping for eggs and slug control in my garden. The Runner ducks I purchased turned out to be Khaki Campbells but they still ate every snail and slug they could find (I did show them to them when they were young). Be warned though, they also ate all the lettuce, many tomatoes, many hot peppers and many seedlings. They aren't too bad when the plants get big but I have to use fencing and row covers to keep them out when the plants are small. I still like my garden but I love my ducks

so it is worth it!

 

[1chris1]

hi, and thank you all for your replies, i am now the proud owner of four really cute female runner ducklings. i cannot believe how messy they are.they are only about two weeks old so still under heat, but recently been so warm (25 centigrade) they have been outside in a small run on grass with a small "pond" they absolutely adore water. so much fun just watching. they peck at everything.
been giving them treats like raspberries and cucumber in their water and they go crazy.
best decision ever.
sill living inside house at night for now but working on the coop and securing the free range fencing for when they get old enough.