[Kristen]

I'm a duck newbie, but having seen some Indian Runners at a friend's house I've just got to have some!

We have a couple of chickens / Eglu, that's the limit of my knowledge on feathered friends.

We have a pond (2 ponds about 10M diameter, with a 20M straight-bit linking them)

I have a small shed that used to be used as a dog kennel which I could move just behind the end of a hedge that is adjacent with the pond - if that would be suitable home for them?

I read that keeping them locked up until mid-morning would get them to lay indoors.  Not too worried about number of eggs as the 2 chickens produce 80% of what we need (i.e. although I don't need good layers, I'm happy to  give away any that are extra)

I like the look of Malards, so might prefer an Indian Runner variety that looks like them.  2 x girls and 1 x boy perhaps?

We get a ton bag of grain (Barley) once a year which feeds the chickens (in part) and the rest of the visiting Pheasants etc. Is that a good start? (can supplement with whatever else they need, although if its the same as the chickens that makes life easier)

Do I get baby chicks, or what? (I don't have an incubator, nor probably the patience or skill  / time to raise a baby chick)

All advice welcome, thanks

[joyfull]

Hi Kristen, hopefully one of the ducky people will be along shortly to answer your questions but the shed and ponds sound great. I think you may need chicken feed that doesn't have ACS in it as well as the grain.