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Sex | Order | 1 to 29 | 30 to 124 | 125 to 299 | 300 to 749 | 750 to 1199 | 1200 to 1999 | 2000+ |
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Unsexed | $12.40 | $8.83 | $6.82 | $5.09 | $4.64 | $4.14 | $3.96 | |
Male | $9.45 | $6.44 | $5.05 | $3.82 | $3.47 | $3.13 | $2.99 | |
Female | $17.63 | $12.99 | $9.94 | $7.36 | $6.68 | $5.91 | $5.62 |
All Runners were originally bred in Southeast Asia for high egg production and excellent mobility. There is evidence of their ancient ancestry from stone carvings in Java that are over 2000 years old. These ducks are still being used as they were then. Flocks of ducks are herded daily from field to field eating waste rice, weed seeds, insects, slugs and other bugs. They are then put in a bamboo pen at night where they lay their eggs and are released the following morning to clean other fields. During the course of their lives the ducks may cover hundreds of miles in their travels. Therefore, a hardy mobile duck is absolutely necessary - you will not find a better foraging duck than the Runner.
Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Apr 15 | Apr 22 | Apr 29 | May 6 | May 13 | May 20 | May 28 | Jun 3 | Jun 10 | Jun 24 | Jul 1 | Jul 8 | Jul 15 | Jul 22 | |
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• Available
• Not Available
• Limited Availability (<10 birds)
As they are light in weight, there is also less chance of them trampling the vegetation in your garden or yard. Because of the high egg production of the native ducks, duck eggs are used in a variety of ways in Southeast Asia. Not only do they replace the typical chicken egg but duck eggs are made into two unique products, the balut (a partially incubated duck egg) and the salted egg (fresh eggs put in a salt solution or salt mud until the salt has permeated the entire egg). Due to the emphasis in coloration over the past 80 years in the breeding programs in England and the United States, the Runners no longer excel at egg production. They are very average at this point.
Why are they called Indian Runners? Tradition has it the ducks were first imported into England in the 1850s and were named Indians as the ship had proceeded from India and had traded with the "Indies". It wasn't until 1909 that the importing family acknowledged that they came from Southeast Asia - not India. But by then the name had stuck and the breed was extremely popular throughout the country. Until the Khaki Campbell was bred, Runners were by far the most productive egg laying ducks. Prior to the turn of the century there were many egg trials in England where representatives of different breeds and farmers were put on a common site and their egg production monitored and compared.
The first Runners imported into England were either Fawn, Fawn-and-White, or White in color. The first records of them being in an exhibition were in 1877 at the Dumfries Show in Scotland. In 1898 they were admitted into the American Standard Registry. The Black, Blue and Chocolate were not admitted until 1977. Though the Black and Chocolate breed true, the Blue do not as only 50% of their progeny are Blue. So that we produce 100% Blue colored birds, we have two pens of breeders. One pen has Black Runner males on Silver females. The other pen has Silver males on Black females. For more information on producing the blue color in poultry and our breeding program, see our page on Blue Swedish Ducks .
These little runner ducks are the best little egg layers I think I've ever seen. They definitely lay better through the cold months here in New England than my chickens do. And they're comical to watch, too!
Mine 2 girls are 3 weeks today and growing rapidly compared to ducks bought at local feed stores. They are also extremely friendly and follow me in the yard which blows me away! I will only order from Metzer from here on out!
The sweetest and most friendly duckling! Snuggly and calm + super healthy. Can’t wait to see how she grows. Thank you Metzer Farms!
I got my "Dixie Chicks" in March. They are hilarious. Martie, is the bossy one. She chases my dogs around and when they were in the house she would chase the cats around. They are definitely the leaders of my flock and the loudest.
Love them thank you guys for quickly answering my questions and being respectful and professional
These ducks are so friendly and calm I ordered them and they shipped Tuesday and arrived Thursday. great everything
Arrived in perfect condition after their 3000 mile journey across the country. Thank you so much!!
My 6 Runner Ducks came perfect, two days shipping from across the states. They were all healthy and happy chirping away. They are currently 4 weeks old and its amazing how fast they grow. As a first time Duck owner I can say I am impressed and have already placed a second order for more Runners in different colors. I spoil my ducklings and they follow me and my husband around the yard. I am very pleased with Metzer and am excited to grow my flock!
The ducklings came in perfect shape and we have not lost one. I am very excited to see how they work out around the house.
Probably the sweetest, funniest, friendliest creatures I've ever laid eyes on. We have two 20-week-old Fawn & Whites, Brigette and Phoebe, who came our way from Metzer farms back in January. They arrived healthy and criminally adorable. I don't think I've ever been more in love with anything: cats, dogs, significant others, family members. Nothing holds a candle to these Runners. Absolutely hilarious, excitable, amiable little ducks, they share a coop with 6 much larger Pekins, from whom they take 0 nonsense. If you love ducks but haven't experienced Runners, then stop reading reviews and start making plans. The only regret you'll have is not getting enough.
Our ducklings are 30 days old, arrived in perfect condition, and have grown so fast! These 6 young ladies will not be our last!
I was thrilled with how quickly my ducklings shipped, they arrived in perfect condition, and were eating and drinking right away. Great experience, will definitely order from this hatchery again!
Our Fawn White Runner was named Latte. She, unfortunately, passed away today, but the past 4 months with her were pretty great. She was super friendly and would follow us around for treats and "talk" to us. She got along well with the rest of our flock as she was the bossiest even though she was the smallest of the mixed group. She was a really good duck.
Arrived healthy and on time. very pleased with Metzer farms! thank you
We received our 3 girls at the end of March, and we got our first egg yesterday (and 2 more today!). They have been a wonderful addition to our family and are a joy to take care of. While they are aloof, they love to eat treats straight out of our hands and are curious to see what we are up to whenever we are in the yard with them. They also like to follow our cats around! They require very little maintenance beyond a clean space and water to splash around in. They've been healthy and resilient since the day they arrived. I would certainly recommend ducks from Metzer Farms to anyone looking!
We ordered three of these babies! We love them!!!! We had the best time as babies and they loved us holding them and always following. Once adding them to my coop with a kakhi Campbell and another duck they joined and they grew up so fast! They are the best ducks! Will buy again with this farm 1000%
I'm in love with him and his little girlfriends. Arrived healthy, active, and ready to go , in the middle of December. Very happy with them.