Mary Allen
The runner duck is very popular as a snail eater. It benefits from excellent marketing because actually, all ducks like to eat snails. Nevertheless, runner ducks are very special contemporaries.
There is hardly a duck breed that has experienced such a rapid rise in the past few decades as the running duck. Added to this is the fact that the runner duck makes the headlines like no other duck breed. She regularly manages to fill media that are otherwise reserved for politics and day-to-day business around the world. Under the name “Indian Runner Duck”, the breed is said to be a real miracle worker when it comes to fighting snails in the garden. This of course suits the breed and the breeders usually do not have to worry about the sale of their young animals, which do not correspond so much to the breeding ideal.
This also applies to breeders of Peking ducks, regardless of whether they breed the German or the American variety. Asian restaurants have done a great job here and the meat of these breeds is considered a real delicacy. Based on these characteristics, it becomes clear how important the right advertising is in breeding poultry. Because after all, all duck breeds eat snails with particular devotion (see “Tierwelt Online” from 22.3.2013), and that the Peking ducks are supposed to have the best meat is a matter of heated debate, at least among duck breeders.
They Never Standstill
Nevertheless, there must be a reason why the runner duck was able to start such a triumphant march. First and foremost is probably the unusual appearance of the breed. The running duck stands out from all currently known ducks. And for the uninitiated, it looks funny to see a group of ducks running across the grass at their fast pace. The term “racer” fits quite well. Because running quietly, you will rarely see running ducks. Especially not when someone is around. Runner ducks are anything but calm. You can safely describe her as slightly nervous. At exhibitions, too, the running ducks are always presented in such a way that they have a wall on at least one side of the box. Even then, it is recommended that you stand a few meters away in order to be able to assess the runner duck optimally.
The somewhat nervous nature and agility of the runner duck are very much in keeping with their breed characteristics. They’re supposed to be slim! A plump and clumsy runner duck definitely doesn’t fit. Many breeders, therefore, place the drinking trough and the feeding trough as far apart as possible. Then the additional movement is ensured and thus a slimline. In order for this to come into its own, runner ducks need very taut and close-fitting plumage. One speaks of “water plumage”. This is particularly noticeable when the ducks have enough bathing opportunities. Very few breeders have a natural body of water; however, a shower tray is also sufficient, provided the water is changed regularly. Fresh and clean water is essential for good plumage quality.
The shape of the runner duck resembles a wine bottle – thick at the bottom, thin at the top
The running duck shape is often compared to that of a wine bottle. This also means that the shape of the running duck must not be angular or angular. Despite the stately size and slender neck, it is important to ensure that the shoulders do not appear too prominent. The transition from the base of the neck to the shoulder, which is also known as the inlet, should be smooth. The hull is also elongated, but still cylindrical – so here again well rounded. The backs of drakes in particular tend to be a bit angular and sunken between the shoulders. So you have to keep the model of the bottle in mind again and again. The barrel duck body must be cylindrical and not flattened. This is particularly effective when there are long thighs and legs. There are big differences here that need to be taken into account. A special feature is that a thoroughbred runner duck never stands fully on the paddles. If she stops briefly, only the front third of her toes are on the ground. In order to be able to judge this, one must let the runner duck calm down. Time in the evaluation is therefore extremely important. The correct posture is achieved when an imaginary vertical falls from the eye to the tips of the toes.
In addition to the extravagant posture, the runner duck is characterized by its proportions, much more so than other breeds. One-third of the neck length and two-thirds of the body height should be to make it right. Once the eye has memorized this ratio, deviations from it are immediately noticeable, for example, a neck that is too short.