All About Indian Runner Ducks
When we first started raising ducks, my husband said, "You can get any kind you want, but just don't get any of those weird ones that look like bowling pins and walk like people".
He claimed that they freaked him out.
Of course, he was referring to Indian Runner ducks - and of course we now raise them! (And fortunately he's no longer freaked out by them.)
Runner ducks have been bred to stand more upright than other breeds, and they are a smaller breed, so they are fast and active and so funny to watch!
They definitely live up to their "runner" name.
All about Indian Runner Ducks
The History of Indian Runner Ducks
Like most other domestic duck breeds, the Indian Runner descended from the common Mallard. One of the oldest duck breeds, there is evidence of Runner ducks in stone carvings in southeast Asia dating back more than 2000 years.
Hundreds of years ago, the ducks were used throughout India and Indonesia to eat insects, slugs, snails, frogs, and lizards in the rice paddies to help the farmers control the crop pests.
The ducks were herded by farmers out to the fields each morning after they finished laying their eggs, spent their day eating to their heart's content, then herded back to their enclosures at night.
As time went by, the ducks who were the best insect eaters, as well as good walkers and layers, were selected for breeding, resulting in the current day Indian Runners who walk upright, lay lots of eggs, and are excellent at foraging.
In the mid 1800's, some Runner ducks were shipped to England, quickly earning the nickname "penguin ducks" from none other than Charles Darwin, and shortly after to the United States where they quickly became popular due to their unique appearance and egg laying prowess.
Currently, many farmers and vineyards around the world employ Runner ducks to help protect their grapes and other crops from pests.
Size of Indian Runner Ducks
Indian Runner ducks are considered a "light" duck breed and are on the small size as far as ducks go, weighing only between 3 and 5 pounds.
They tend to stand more erect than other breeds of ducks, usually at an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees, and often standing completely upright when they get startled or curious about something. (Or can't otherwise reach over a short fence to nibble on vegetables on the other side!)
Indian Runners usually stand about two feet tall with larger males sometimes standing up to 2 1/2 feet tall.
Like other breeds of domestic ducks, Indian Runner ducks can't fly due to their very small wings, although unlike other duck breeds who are forced to waddle on dry land, Runner ducks can actually run!
Colors of Indian Runner Ducks
Runner ducks come in a variety of colors including blue (grayish), brown (chocolate), black, silver (light gray), white, apricot, mallard, trout, fawn, and fawn and white. And in fact they hold the distinction of being the duck breed that comes in the most colors - a total of 16.
We currently have two Indian Runners - a fawn and white duck named Fern and a blue duck named Willow.
Indian Runner Duck Eggs
Female Indian Runner ducks lay anywhere from 180 to 250 medium-sized white or light blue eggs each year, beginning at around 5 or 6 months old.
Usually laying their eggs before sunrise, they'll fashion a nest in a quiet corner out of straw or other bedding material.
Due to their high energy levels and breeding to be "workers", not moms, Indian Runner ducks don't often go broody or want to sit long enough on the eggs to hatch them.
And if this energetic duck mom does sit for the entire 4 week incubation period, she'll often take off as soon as the eggs hatch.
Runners aren't typically known for their maternal instincts, however in 2019, Fern and Willow took turns sitting on a nest of eggs and not only successfully hatched three ducklings, they also took turns mothering them until they were big enough to join the rest of the flock!
Indian Runner Duck Temperament
Runner ducks are generally very docile and play well with others. They are always on the move and are very curious about their surroundings. They're very sociable and playful. Probably more than any other breed of duck I've raised.
They also can cover large areas because of how fast they can move, so keeping them in a large pen or fenced in area is a good idea if you can't always keep an eye on them.
Although they can be skittish, raising them from ducklings and spending lots of time with them can help them get more used to being held.
Breed Conservation Status
Indian Runner ducks are considered a "recovering" breed by The Livestock Conservancy. This means that while not in any danger of becoming extinct, the breed had become less popular over the years and there are fewer than in the past, so efforts are being made to increase their numbers.
Runner ducks have a typical lifespan for domestic ducks, around 10 or 12 years, as long as they are fed a healthy diet and kept safe from predators. While they are able to run, they can't outrun a dog or fox!
Fun fact: Indian Runner ducks were used to create the Khaki Campbell and Buff Orpington duck breeds.
You can definitely pick the Runners out in a crowd! Below are Runners Fern and Willow as ducklings with their spotted Ancona and black Cayuga broodermates.
Summary
If you're looking for a fun duck breed to raise that comes in lots of colors and lays a good number of eggs, consider Indian Runner ducks. Learn more about raising ducklings here.
All rights reserved.
.png)
