Forgot to add, we are turning over our laying flock this year with all new chicks arriving in Feb. Would like to get the ducklings by March/April so they all grow up acclimated to each other. The ducks will have a separate duck-house. Thinking of getting four runners - a drake and three ducks and a pair of Orps - or will that cause squabbles and/or interbreeding? Thanks again!

Hi Julia, thanks, we did lose some of the babys, but as of today we had a total of (7) very healthy babys and they are getting bigger ever day, we have a local park were we live which we are going to take some there to live once they get a little bit bigger. we really can't keep all of them so the park rangers will kept them. there is a big lake, we started them on chick starter which the amish told us that would be the best food, but now they are eating the same as mon and dad. Do not understand how so many people say that Indian runners do not nest or are not good mothers, our mom is the best, our 4 pom's (dogs) do drive her a little bit crazy now she is so protectived over them. have you found out anything about how to tell which are male or female yet if you do please let me know thanks again

Hi there - the legs of runners are a lot longer than other ducks and with our youngsters born this year we noticed they rested a lot during the day. Give it another few days to get stronger and it should right itself.

Hi Duckcrazy, We brooded our ducklings, chicks and goslings last spring in modified plastic storage containers (big ones) under a brooder lamp. We lined the bottom with newspaper to soak up the gross stuff. To prevent them from laying and pecking at the newspaper, we created 'grates' out of 1/2" squ coated cage wire (taped around the edges to cover jaggeness) which were cut to fit the length of the bottom. For a final layer, we placed soft screen material cut also to go the length of the bottom - this to give them good footing and prevent sprattle leg. Our brooder was planned with materials that could be lifted out of, sprayed down & sanitized easilly. We didn't have the luxury of using wood shavings. This worked well for us as a whole, but once those ducklings discovered their inner passion for water, we found ourselves cleaning the flooring layers & replacing soggy newspaper daily, and twice daily toward the end. They were continuously out of water too since they would 'blow bubbles' and play in their water until it was gone. We had to check the water supply numerous times a day. It was exhausting. Our runners were much happier the day we moved them to their spacious pen outside, which they share with our two hens. (I can say "hens" now. They're a year old!). I'm glad the hens roost though. In only a week, the bottom of the chicken coop is goop! To ducks, mud is simply succulent! and they see no need to dry off or wipe their feet before 'hitting the straw' for the night. Our coop is designed so that I can muck it out and bleach it down once a week. We provide fresh straw, weekly too. We're in the Pac. NW so while we don't deal with cold temperatures and snow very ofteh, we DO have to battle moisture problems, particularly to protect the health of our chickens. I gave up on nest boxes for the ducks. The hens keep theirs pristine! I never cringe when collecting chicken eggs. The duck eggs were always more filthy. Their nest boxes became litter boxes and those clumsy feet didn't help. I found it better to just allow them to lay in the fresh straw, and thankfully they've selected a laying corner away from the corner they use to dirty in. They're great layers though. Every bit as dependable as our hens. They eat lots of slugs -no shortage of those in these parts, and a kiddy pool was about the best $6 I've ever spent. We give them a fresh pool of water daily, they drink and bathe in the same water, so we provide raised watering containers for the hens (fortified with molasses/vinegar). Since we have so much rain, I've been experimenting with the deep litter method on the ground outside of the coop - in the pen area (see Roberta's? post, "Big fan of.." for details). I saved all the fall leaves in piles and add a layer now and then over the muddy ground. I also spread layers of the cleaner straw from the coop after I clean it out. I can see it all composting slowly. THere's just so much moisture here that I worry about all the bacteria and bird doo mingling with mud. As I said, ducks love mud and spend a lot of time snuffing around in it. I therefore keep the muddy ground heaped with straw and leaf matter. The chickens churn it up pretty good. I think it's working. Our ducks are total characters though. Like cartoons! They're RJ's favorite on our lil hobby farm. They're very patterened animals though. Once you've established a routine, don't go changing! Hope our experience was helpful. Of all the birds we keep, they are the most challenging with regards to cleanliness, but the best behaved (easiest to work with) I think. Best of luck! LF