Indian Runner Duck

Looks how to spot one

Tight, smooth waterproof feathers

A tall, slim duck that stands almost upright, with a long neck and legs set far back, so it runs instead of waddling. Its shape is often compared to a bottle or bowling pin with a head on top. The head is slender with a straight bill, and drakes carry a small curl in the tail. Standing height ranges from about 50 cm in small ducks to about 76 cm in tall drakes.13

Personality what they are like

Busy, alert and always on the move. Runners can be easily startled, but ducklings that are handled gently and often grow into friendly adults. The ducks are chattier than the drakes.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

One of the most active foragers of all duck breeds. Runners are happiest with a large area to roam and search for food, and they do not fly, though they can scramble over a low fence of about 60-90 cm.324

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Ducks keep their feathers in order themselves by preening and bathing, so the main job is supplying clean water: drinkers deep enough for a duck to dip its whole head, and a pool or tub for bathing. Keep bedding dry and change it often, and stop runs from turning into deep mud.5

Home where they are happiest

A dry, well-ventilated and predator-proof house with roughly 0.4-0.55 m2 (4-6 sq ft) of floor per duck, plus a secure outdoor run with grass if possible. Sturdy fencing, fine hardware mesh, fencing sunk a little into the ground and overhead netting all help keep the flock safe. Runners like space, so a bigger run or supervised free-ranging suits them well.53

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete commercial waterfowl feed as the base, with leafy greens, other vegetables and the odd protein treat such as mealworms. Keep avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, nightshade plants and mouldy food away from them, and always offer fresh water alongside food. Runners find much of their own food when foraging, including slugs, snails, insects and seeds.53

Company who they like around

A flock bird that should live with at least two or three other ducks. If drakes are kept, about one drake to four or more ducks keeps the group settled.5

The story where it all began

Temple carvings on Java suggest these ducks have been kept for a very long time, and farmers in Southeast Asia herded flocks through rice paddies to glean fields. They reached Britain in the 1800s, where naturalists noted their penguin-like walk, and breed clubs and standards followed around the turn of the 20th century.13

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association (APA)

Eight colour varieties are in the American Standard of Perfection: Fawn & White, White, Penciled, Black, Buff, Chocolate, Cumberland Blue and Gray.3

Waterfowl Club standards (UK and USA)

Breed standards were written in England in 1897 and in America in 1898; the two diverged in 1915.1

The Livestock Conservancy

Listed as 'Recovering' on the Conservation Priority List.3