1 Sepr., 1901. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 319 
INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS. 
By HERBERT SIMPSON, Junr. 
Appended will be found a few facts, some of which, though they may have 
appeared once, will be new to a great many readers of this Jowrnal :— 
This variety of ducks originated, as its name implies, in India, some 
specimens being brought over to England by a sea captain about sixty years 
ago, which were presented to a friend in Cumberland, and from those the 
present strain has been bred. English fanciers have made several attempts to 
procure fresh blood from their original home, but so far without success. They 
seem to be extinct in India. In weight they are about the same as the common 
grey duck, but stand a great deal taller, owing to their long necks and upright 
carriage of body. The legs seem to be set very far back, even more so than the 
Pekin. The bill is free from the dished shape of that of the common duck, 
being almost a straight line from point to skull. The eyes are set very high 
up, almost level with top of skull. I am not aware of any standard colour 
being fixed for this breed, but, as years go on, fixed colours will no doubt be 
recognised. At present I find from the best stock obtainable, they breed very 
irregularly as to colour, more especially the ducks, some showing more white 
than others. Drakes seem to come truer, but all show a distinct white ring 
around neck, which, to my mind, sets them off. Several have written to me 
and asked if Indian Runners are really better layers than the breeds we now 
have—viz., Pekins, Aylesburys, Rouens, &c. To all such I have answered that 
those breeds of ducks are simply “not in it” wheré egg production is the main. 
consideration. Another thing in their favour is the fact that they can endure. 
great heat; summer never seems to be too hot for them, for I often noticed 
last year that, while Pekins and Aylesburys were under shady places gasping for 
breath, the Runners were half-a-mile from home looking for food. Where a, 
good swamp or paddock is at hand, they will almost keep themselves. 
Those who are not near a swamp can obtain just as good results by giving: 
food of the right kind. My breeding ducks, though penned up, are laying: 
just as well as those with full range. I find the young ducks very easy to 
rear, and out of a number hatched this year have only lost two as yet. 
I keep a daily record of all eggs laid, but, to save space, attached will be 
found a list showing the weekly laying of six Indian Runner ducks from the 
beginning of February to the end of July this year, which shows an average 
of 118 eges per duck for six months, or 286 eggs per duck per year. It will 
also be noticed that hen eggs were almost unobtainable in these months :— 
February. March. April. 
fetOme/, ... 15 Ome gees: sn 2B Th the 7 ae: ot) PR 
8 to 14 ... 14 8 to 14 ... oo AD 8 to 14 ... veo Ball 
oatow2l ... 17 15.to 21). aor hsdly/ Issey PAL 4s an BB 
22 to 28 ... 23 22 to 28 ... = ald 22 to 28 ... soo BY 
29 to3l ... we il 29 and 380 aegis SS 
Total 69 Total : 90 Total 28: 
May. ; June. July. 
ELOMNT: ... 30 it) bes xe JAD We 0 an ap | VBS 
8tol4 ... 35 8 to 14 ... jo BY 8tol4 ... LBD 
atone... 33 15 to 21 ... an 4d NES OPAL ss i BRS 
DVEO2S. ... 35 22. to 28 ... an HY) 22 t0 28 ... ax: GY 
29to 31 ... 17 29 and 30 xD) 29 to 31 ... erm li 73 
Total . 150 Total eel 2. 7 Total vee 144i 
Total for six months, 708 eggs. 
T shall also be pleased to supply a record as time goes on of the laying of 
these same six ducks for a further six months, making twelve months in all. 
Vv 
