Ducks waddle through the garden with their heads held high or splash happily in the pond. Most of the day, the lively snail hunters comb through beds and lawns with their beaks in search of juicy prey. Have you also succumbed to the graceful charm of the cute waterfowl and are you considering settling on your property? This guide will familiarize you with important parameters relating to the purchase and keeping of runner ducks.

Runner ducks only feel comfortable in a garden with a pond

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Buy running ducks
  3. Runner duck breed characteristics
  4. Indian runner ducks colors
  5. Worth knowing about running ducks
  6. Species-appropriate attitude
  7. care tips
  8. Eat duck eggs
  9. Duck Diseases
  10. frequently asked Questions

    11. the essentials in brief

    • Running ducks cost between €5 and €15, the price varies depending on the age and sex of the animal
    • Runner ducks should always be purchased in pairs or groups
    • Runner ducks like to walk, but they still need a pond
    • Ducks should spend the night in the barn to be protected from martens

    Buy running ducks - breeders, prices, buying tips

    Runner ducks are friendly, need leaning and loveable. Please pay as much attention to the purchase as to the purchase of a dog, cat or horse. The funny waterfowl will give you and your family a lot of joy if you buy healthy, lively animals from experienced breeders. Be sure to ignore questionable offers on free classifieds portals. Significant sources for the contact details of trustworthy providers are, for example, the special association of runner duck breeders in Germany (laufenten-sv.de) or the Association of German Breeding Poultry Breeders e.V. (bdrg.de). For purebred, ringed running ducks from competent breeding, the following average prices are charged:

    • Drake (annual): 15 EUR
    • Duck (one year old): 20 EUR
    • Chick: 5 EUR

    The best time to buy running ducks is in late summer, ideally in August. From September the pairs of ducks form for the next year and then stay together. In this phase, the waterfowl have molted and the young are fully developed. Furthermore, the courtship drive is dormant, so that no violent conflicts disturb the acclimatization in the garden.

    Chicks are especially cheap and cute

    Note important purchase criteria

    Only buy running ducks in pairs or small groups, for example 1 drake and 3 to 4 ducks (ladies always outnumber them). Take a critical look at the breeding area, because good housing conditions are fundamental for healthy animals. Do not buy chicks that are separated from their mothers. Ask for the exact age of the ducks. Artificial breeding chicks should be at least 6 to 8 weeks old. Adult runner ducks are best suited as new family members at 1 year of age. Obtain information about the last deworming and make a note of what the animals have been fed so far. Ideally, you should buy a small supply of food from the breeder for the first week of your feathered pupils in their new home.

    Please take a not too large, softly padded transport container with you, which guarantees your new family members a good supply of air. For a longer return journey with runner ducks, please plan breaks to offer the animals water. Make an appointment with the breeder so that he has time to make a careful selection and answer important questions.

    digression

    Rent running ducks - no-go for animal lovers

    It sounds too good to be true. Rent running ducks, shoo them through the garden and the voracious plague of snails is history. Of course, it is overlooked that the bright waterfowl have a sensitive disposition and need a lot of attention and care. Basic requirements for species-appropriate husbandry include a marten-proof fenced property with a pond and stable. Daily feeding is essential. Furthermore, running ducks not only devour snails, but also do not despise beneficial insects. A brief deployment of the chattering snail hunters upsets the ecological balance in the enclosure. If rental ducks leave the property, the insatiable suckers are back on site within a week.

    Runner ducks - breed characteristics at a glance

    Runner ducks are descended from the mallard

    Runner ducks descend from the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). In the middle of the 19th century, the first specimens from Southeast Asia found their way to Europe, where the slender, elegant animals initially populated the gardens of England. From the 20th century, ducks conquered continental European parks and green spaces with their upright gait. Today, the generic term penguin duck includes a total of three breeds that are useful as runner ducks in the garden. The following table lists essential breed characteristics:

    race further designation Size (head to tip of tail) Weight coloring plain dress laying performance per year
    Indian runner ducks bottle duck 50 to 76 cm 2.5 to 3kg 10 colors 150 to 200 eggs
    Japanese ducks Japanese duck 70 to 75 cm 3.5 to 4 kg mottled light brown-grey 80 to 90 eggs
    Chinese runner ducks Peking duck 65 to 75 cm 3 to 4.5 kg White 60 to 80 eggs

    All running duck breeds have in common a tightly upright, almost vertical posture. The proportions of purebred runner ducks are made up of one third of the neck and two thirds of the body. The plumage lies firmly on the cylindrical body. The classification as a penguin type is based primarily on these central breed characteristics. This is easy to understand, because the association with flightless seabirds is more obvious than the comparison with domestic ducks.

    Indian runner ducks - the most beautiful colors

    Indian runner ducks appear with different colorings

    As the table above demonstrates, under the collective term penguin duck, various duck breeds are characterized by upright walking. If there are runner ducks in gardens and parks, they are mostly Indian runner ducks. The penguin duck breed is not only more elegant, lively and agile than Chinese and Japanese runner ducks. With a total of 10 recognized colors, Indian runner ducks are a picturesque feast for the eyes. Some of the most beautiful plumage colors are presented in more detail below:

    trout colored

    The drake has a green neck and head, decorated with an open neck ring. A burgundy chest and silver-grey wings catch the eye. The dark back is lined with silver-grey on the rump. Light pearl gray marks thighs and flanks. A dark drake curl boasts on the tail as an important clue for sex determination. Beak color is willow green. The duck is characterized by a light brown basic color with a silver factor. Sharply defined spots can be seen on the back, belly and rump. Covers of wings and back are lined with brown. An orange beak is unmistakable.

    Silver wild colored

    The drake comes along with a silvery-cream-white basic color. The shoulder, neck, chest and base of the neck are lined with silver and white. Likewise, the belly and flank plumage shines in silvery white. The rump stands out brown-black, of course with dark drake curls as a distinguishing feature to the Indian runner duck ladies. Beak color is willow green to grey. The female beauties have opted for a yellowish-white basic color with a brown streaked back, neck, base of neck and upper chest. A blue mirror peeks out on the wings. Beak color is grey-green.

    Do you flirt with subtle, monochromatic Indian walking ducks? Then the popular breed has pure white specimens with a lemon-yellow beak to offer. The thoroughbred racers come in pure black with an emerald green shimmer and a matching dark olive green beak.

    tips

    A herb spiral protects basil, sage and parsley from the big slippers of runner ducks. Grow young vegetables, tempting lettuce and tread-sensitive flowers in raised beds, because direct contact with the eager snail hunters does not end well for most small plants.

    Worth knowing about running ducks - question and answer quiz

    Although runner ducks can walk well, they need a pond

    Even the first look at the pictures and videos arouses curiosity about further information about the cute running ducks. Reducing the lively companions to their function as natural snail control does not do justice to their lovable, peace-loving disposition. Please familiarize yourself a little with the important characteristics of running ducks before you consider keeping them in the garden. We invite you to an introductory quiz, which will provide you with useful information in a quick run-through as a question-and-answer game:

    ask reply
    Can ducks fly? no
    Can ducks swim? Yes, a swimming pond is obligatory
    Are ducks solitary? No, but sociable herd animals
    How old do runner ducks get? Life expectancy: 12-15 years
    What do runner ducks eat? Chicken feed, unseasoned leftovers, fresh greens, snails, bugs
    How long do runner ducks breed? Incubation period: 20-30 days
    How much do hatching eggs weigh? Minimum weight: 55-65 grams
    How long does it take chicks to hatch? Hatching duration: up to 24 hours
    Can you raise runner ducklings yourself? Yes, but it is very expensive
    How can a drake be recognized? Drake curl on the tail, low voice

    Laufi friends often have a headache when it comes to gender determination. The drake curl in the form of a curved feather at the end of the tail reveals the gender only at an advanced age. In order to distinguish between drake and duck among young animals, a close look at the cloaca (common body outlet for digestive and sexual organs) should provide information. Well-founded statements can primarily be made by veterinarians, biologists and breeders. As a layman, we recommend paying attention to the noise level. Ducks cackle loudly, whereas the drake only makes a soft rabble-rabble sound.

    Keeping runner ducks in a species-appropriate manner - this is how it works

    youtube

    The perfect, species-appropriate husbandry of running ducks rests on four pillars: fenced-in property, pond or water points, lockable stall and pesticide-free garden. All four cornerstones for a carefree life together with the lovable fellows in plumage are examined in more detail below:

    Plot - Tips on size and fence

    Runner ducks are good on foot. What waterfowl lack in flight, they make up for in nimble legs. An allotment garden the size of a towel is far too small for a mini cast of two walking ducks. Recognized Laufi experts agree that every duck needs an enclosure of around 500 square meters. This means a minimum size of 1,000 square meters if you keep a pair of runner ducks in the garden. Your feathered snail hunters appreciate a varied planting of grass, shrubs and trees, which offer great hiding places.

    A fence is mandatory if you plan to share your garden life with walking ducks for a long time. The enclosure aims to keep the ducks in and enemies out. In normal, quiet everyday life, runner ducks get a visible fear of heights from 30 centimeters of ground clearance. Panic lets the birds forget their fear of flying and flaps at a height of more than 1 meter. Outside, hungry martens, foxes and raccoons are lurking to lay their hands on the ducks, their chicks or their eggs. The best protection for the running duck enclosure is a dense fence 1.80 to 2 meters high. Keeping runner ducks without a fence is not recommended.

    Duck pond - ideas for small and large water worlds

    Ducks love water

    Only a pond turns the garden into a duck paradise. The waterfowl love to swim and splash about. At the same time, a pond provides vital drinking water to get slimy snails and dry grain food down. Runner ducks are not choosy. If necessary, it can also be a children's paddling pool or a large tub. Bottle ducks welcome all varieties of water in the garden.

    A stream with a filter system is a practical and decorative solution for the ideal water world for your running ducks. Since the water is constantly in motion, it stays clean longer than in a standing pond or biotope. However, you can save yourself the planting along the bank, because stream plants, swamp forget-me-nots and other plants are mercilessly trampled down or simply plastered over.

    Barn - Notes on size and furnishings

    A barn as a marten-proof night quarters is mandatory if you keep running ducks in the garden. The recommended fence alone is not enough to ward off martens and foxes in the dark. In the spring in particular, the predators are in search of food for their offspring at night and early in the morning and go about their work rigorously. A running duck coop should be a few square meters in size. For a couple, the standard is the size of a kennel for a German Shepherd or St. Bernard. Dry bedding, ideally straw, serves as the interior decoration. The door, which is about 50 centimeters high, should definitely be lockable, because running ducks do not like to stay in the stable voluntarily.

    Pesticide-free garden - just no slug pellets

    Slug pellets (7.49€) reliably hunt down every running duck. With a poisoned slug, the ducks also ingest the slug pellets, which kills them within minutes. It is easy to do without fighting snails with slug pellets because your ducks master this task with flying colours. Furthermore, chemical fungicides, herbicides and other pesticides are taboo in the garden when bottle ducks are frolicking in it. Not only will your snail hunters in their plumage benefit from a poison-free natural garden, but the entire ecological balance and the health of your family.

    Care tips for running ducks

    A species-appropriate care rounds off the competent keeping of runner ducks in the garden. Additional food brings variety to the summer menu, which mainly consists of snails. When snails are rare in winter and only a little green thrives, daily supplementary feeding comes into focus. Water plays a central role in keeping and caring for happy runner ducks all year round. We have listed important care tips for you below:

    • lining: Chicken feed, oatmeal, unseasoned leftovers, lettuce leaves, shrimp, rice (no avocados)
    • Drinking water: set up water points in several places in the garden and refresh them daily
    • digestive aids: small pebbles or river sand, especially important in winter when the ground is frozen
    • prevent diseases: deworm twice a year (proven dewormer Concurat)
    • winter care: Barn for running ducks insulate with straw in winter and heat from - 10 degrees Celsius outside temperature

    When runner ducks are raising chicks, additional precautions must be taken. A duck wants to be left alone during the breeding season. Check the nest only when the mother-to-be is out looking for food, defecating or grooming. After the end of the approximately 28-day incubation period, chicks with their mother hen must live separately from the drake. A runner drake regards chicks as competition and not infrequently attacks its own offspring. A good protection for the kindergarten enclosure is a mobile chicken fence.

    Chick feed - tips for the perfect menu

    The food of adult runner ducks is too coarse for the offspring. On the first day of their lives, chicks are supplied with nutrients by the yolk sac. From the second day, special chick food from the specialist trade is served. For a change, there are mashed bananas or canned peas and carrots.

    Starting with the second week of life, tasty supplements to the chick grain as basic food are very popular with the offspring. A mixture of wheat bran, cornmeal, rolled oats and crushed nettles with dandelion triggers enthusiasm. The ingredients are mixed with water to form a paste, which is given a special boost twice a week with a raw chicken egg. At the age of 6 weeks, runner ducklings like to eat poultry grains with crushed oats. The little ones get fresh green fodder and juicy snails from the garden themselves.

    Eating duck eggs - a delicacy for connoisseurs

    Ducks lay a lot of eggs

    Runner duck ladies are true laying wonders. An egg a day is routine for a hard-working duck. Under the natural conditions of keeping in the garden, egg production only stops for a while in winter. As soon as spring announces itself with longer daylight, people eagerly “get started” again.

    Compared to chicken eggs, duck eggs are slightly larger, have a thicker and harder shell. Under the white-green shell is an intense yellow yolk with a delicate taste. Gourmets really appreciate runner duck eggs as delicious scrambled eggs or tasty fried eggs.Thanks to the deep yellow yolk, duck eggs add an appetizing hue to homemade pancakes and cakes. As a breakfast egg, chicken eggs are still in the lead.

    Runner duck diseases - recognize and act correctly

    It is characteristic of runner ducks and other poultry that diseases can only be recognized at an advanced stage. This is probably a protective function of Mother Nature. Visibly sick ducks are easy prey for predators and are mercilessly bullied in the flock. Affected runners try very hard not to attract attention. So watch the animals carefully to take action on these clues to disease:

    • apathetic, listless sitting around
    • intense, sick smell in the barn
    • conspicuous droppings
    • strong weight loss
    • Shortness of breath, nasal discharge
    • Balance disorders, signs of paralysis
    • increased temperature (normal temperature is 41° Celsius)

    Self-medication only makes sense if you can unequivocally diagnose the cause of the disease. So far, more than 20 runner duck diseases are known, some of which manifest themselves with similar symptoms. Instead of administering medication if you suspect a runner duck is sick, please consult an experienced veterinarian. Contact details of veterinarians experienced in waterfowl can be found, for example, at baseportal.de or vogeldoktor.de.

    frequently asked Questions

    We plan to keep ducks in the garden. Should we buy drakes or female runner ducks?

    For the correct answer, please include your environment. If you live in close proximity to a residential area, we recommend keeping a pure drake group with at least three animals. Behavioral disorders are common in same-sex couples. Male runner ducks can only make themselves felt very quietly, even in panic situations. If your garden is out of earshot of your neighbors, nothing stands in the way of a mixed colony of runner ducks. It is important to note that the women are in the majority. Otherwise there is a risk that overzealous attempts by drakes to mate completely overwhelm the ducks, which can cause tragedy.

    How old do runner ducks get?

    Under species-appropriate conditions on a property that is fenced off to protect it from foxes and martens, running ducks can grow to be between 12 and 15 years old. The Methuselah among the Indian runner ducks lived to an impressive 20 years.

    What do runner ducks eat?

    Snails and beetles are high on the menu for Laufenten. Of course, this does not cover the nutritional requirements. Mixed grain feed for chickens has proven to be a good choice for supplementary feeding in summer and in winter when there are few snails. Unseasoned leftovers trigger great enthusiasm in the duck colony, such as boiled potatoes, rice, noodles or a few crunchy lettuce leaves. Runner ducks also enjoy eating a bowl of cat food. A container with water should not be missing at the feeding place.

    Do runner ducks and cats get along?

    Ducks and cats usually get along well, especially if they grow up together

    Cats pose no threat to runner ducks. In fact, there are many amusing stories on the Internet about loving relationships between runner ducks and cats. Bottle ducks are also good neighbors with dogs, as long as they are not trained hunting dogs. Foxes, martens and hawks pose a serious threat to runners of all ages.

    How many anti-snail runners are required for a 5,000 square meter garden?

    A pair of runner ducks is enough to keep an area of 1,000 square meters free of snails. For a large garden of 5,000 square meters, we recommend a colony of 10 to 12 runner ducks. If loud chatter is acceptable, it must be ducks only. However, you will then be denied the enjoyment of fresh duck eggs. If you value quiet in the garden, it should be an all-male group. If you opt for a mixed force against snails, please make sure that ducks are in the majority.

    My ducks are supposed to raise chicks. How do I determine which eggs are fertilized?

    Wait for the duck to leave the nest for a short time. By shining a bright lamp through each egg, you can determine the rate of fertilization. Blood veins form inside the fertilized duck egg after a short incubation period. Take a piece of cardboard and cut a small hole about 3 x 5 cm. Put an egg in it and light it from below. The test must be completed before the mother duck returns to the nest. A family member should stand guard outside to report the duck's arrival in good time.

    tips

    The keeping of runner ducks in Germany is linked to various legal provisions. Before you buy running ducks, please consult the relevant public order or veterinary office regarding the registration regulations. You can also find out from the building authority whether the construction of stables or enclosures in your region requires a permit. A clarifying discussion with the neighbors is urgently recommended, because you will lose out in the legal dispute over loud runner ducks that plunder neighboring gardens.

Category:

Animals in the garden