The Runner duck is an historical breed recognized within the East Indies for at the very least 2,000 years. Its excellence lies in being a terrific layer that’s agile sufficient to simply herd over lengthy distances.

Runner geese have been historically saved in pens in a single day. After the hens laid their eggs within the morning, the geese have been herded to fields to scrub up weed seeds, snails, and different undesirables.

Bodily Attributes

The fawn and white Runner duck is by far the most well-liked of the quite a few Runner duck shade varieties. It has a tan cap, white neck, tan again, tan and white underbody, and white tail and wing suggestions.

As a result of its legs are farther again than these of most geese, the Runner stands upright, like a penguin. Its bottle-like physique is analogous in form to that of a wine bottle or a bowling pin.

Runner geese are notably energetic and all the time on the transfer. They don’t waddle like different geese, however quite run from place to put, therefore the title.

The Runner is a comparatively small breed. Hens grows to 3¼ kilos, drakes to 4 or 4½ kilos. As a result of they’re small, they eat considerably lower than different home duck breeds, making them tremendous economical as layers.

Mature drakes differ from the hens in having curled tail feathers. Additionally the hens quack loudly, whereas the drake’s sound is barely audible.

Breed Qualities

Runner geese mature in 4 to five months. The hens are good layers of medium-size eggs. Most Runner eggs have white shells, though some geese lay eggs with bluish-green shells.

Runner hens haven’t any robust intuition for brooding. And once they do brood, they lack a powerful maternal intuition and due to this fact make quite poor moms.

On common they lay between 100 and 180 eggs per 12 months. Crossbreeding, together with better emphasis on plumage shade for exhibition, has resulted in lowered laying capacity in comparison with early data.

Due to their small dimension, Runner geese are usually not generally thought of to be a meat breed. Nevertheless, the Runner is a greater forager than another home duck, giving the meat a wonderful taste just like that of a wild duck. And their excessive agility, plus their inclination to not fly, makes them excellent without cost ranging.

Fawn and white Runner geese have been admitted to the American Commonplace of Perfection in 1898. Due to their upright stance and alert demeanor, they present very well and stay widespread at exhibition.

Runner geese are usually nervous, excitable, and simply startled. Nevertheless, with early and frequent dealing with they readily develop into pleasant as household pets. For a wholesome, hardy duck that adapts nicely to any local weather, think about the fawn and white Runner duck.

Useful Hyperlinks

And that’s at the moment’s information from the Cackle Coop.

Gail Damerow is the creator of An Absolute Newbie’s Information to Elevating Yard Geese : Breeds, Feeding, Housing and Care, Eggs and Meat.