April, 1914 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
I 
INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS FOR EGGS 
By E. i- FARRINGTON 
D ucks never enjoyed great popular- 
ity in this country until the Indian 
Runners came to the front. These birds 
differ very widely in their characteristics 
from other breeds and have so many 
good points to recommend them that 
they are being bred in largely increasing 
numbers from coast to coast. The grow- 
ing popularity of this breed is clearly in- 
dicated by the greatly augmented classes 
at all the poultry shows, but hundreds 
of men and women all over the country 
are keeping Indian Runners for egg pro- 
duction without a thought of breeding 
exhibition stock. With fanciers and util- 
ity breeders both interested in the run- 
ners, it is likely that they will continue 
to grow in favor for many years. 
Truth to tell, the best specimens of 
this breed in any of the three varieties 
are very handsome birds. Their upright 
carriage, trim contour and alert manner 
give them a distinctive appearance which 
is certain to attract attention anywhere. 
Probably the fawn and white variety is 
the best known at present, but the Eng- 
lish or penciled runners have many ad- 
mirers and the pure white birds are prov- 
ing prime favorites. White birds in al- 
most any variety of poultry seldom lack 
popularity. 
Doubtless, even the exceptional quali- 
ties of the Indian Runners would never 
have brought them conspicuously before 
the public, if it had not been for the fame 
which they have won as egg machines. 
It is not without reason that they have 
been termed the Leghorns of the duck 
family. With average care, each duck 
may be expected to lay at least 130 eggs 
a year. Often this number is exceeded; 
sometimes, of course, it is not reached. 
The strain counts with ducks as with 
other kinds of poultry. It is important 
to have a good strain, not only in order 
to get a large number of eggs, but in 
order to make certain that the eggs will 
be white shelled. Occasionally ducks are 
found which lay green tinted eggs, and as 
these eggs are not esteemed desirable by 
most people, such birds are to be avoided 
as breeders. It is always well, when buy- 
ing Indian Runner ducks for l>reeding pur- 
poses, to make it a part of the bargain that 
they must be guaranteed to lay white eggs 
only. 
There is a prejudice among some people 
against duck eggs, but this is entirely with- 
out foundation and gradually is being over- 
come as the eggs produced by Indian Run- 
ners become better known. These eggs are 
considerably larger than those laid by hens, 
frequently running six to a pound; they 
are thick and rich and particularly well 
adapted to culinary purposes, and have no 
objectionable flavor. In fact, it is difficult 
to distinguish them from ordinary eggs 
when cooked, except for the size and the 
fact that the white is a trifle tougher. It 
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