[Viv]

I am thinking of getting some Indian Runner Ducks to join the ladies and Thomas on the field. We have a small pre formed pond that we can put on the field that will be raised with an incline to get into it.  I am hoping that the pond will if i use the right plants oxygenate itself, there is no electricityu so I am unable to set up the normal pond filtration system
I have been given an old shed that we have put up, we do have to make it more pest proof, but will be the ducks house at night.

What else do I need to do?
What are the pitfalls of having ducks?
Will they get on OK with my ladies and Thomas?
They will be free range.

Thanks in anticipation

[babe]

they poop an awful lot. and the drinkers will be filthy again as soon as you've cleaned them

they will be fine with chickens and happily free range.

but they are fabulous to watch and they will chitter chatter to each other all day. and its the prettiest noise ever. and they are so soft.

i miss my ducks :cry: i think we should have a national 'hug a duck' day

[naturesparadise]

ducks are very very messy they eat every thing they see      


but joy they bring makes up for it

[Wildeone]

I love runner ducks please please please get them and then post loads of pictures!!!!  

[Viv]

Yes , I am going to get some!! how many males to females do I need, and do they swim on a pond? Do they come in different colours?
I have a variety of eggs in my 'bator at the moment so will wait till these are (hopefully) hatched and growing.

[naturesparadise]

yes they swim

and they come in lots of colors white / brown / blue / brown & white

just do a google image search and you will see loads    

[Bodger]

Viv
The main problem with Indian Runner ducks is that they are addictive and you'll want more and more of them.

We had them and they were fantastic fun. You can get umpteen different colour variations , each one more and more attractive. Our neighbours loved them. Everyday the ducks would take a set route around our fields and a few of them would be waiting to sling the snails that they had collected from off their gardens over to them. Runner eggs come in a lovely shade of green or blue and they were alays in big demand from the locals.  

So my advice would be not to have them unless you are prepared to get really hooked.

[Viv]

Well Bodger, you have made up my mind, I am happy to get hooked by these lovely creatures.
Thanks for the info, pics will follow in a few weeks.
   

[Foxy]

I am hoping to get some runners this summer - I love them!! they run one way then back then they all run another way and back...they are fantastic!!!!     And have you seen the ones with pom poms??? wow! my OH says that is going toooo far!!! (little does he know )

[Viv]

I'm with you Foxy, looking forward to the learning experience over the next few weeks before I look for a supplier.  

[james419]

Dont waste money on plants - they will clear anything you put into your pond - we use our ducks and geese to eat all the excess plats from our developing wildlife pond - 1 barrow full =  days work for them, hopefully hayching runner eggs coming in May!!! Deep Joy.

http://runnerduck.net/index.html  excellent site for runner ducks