Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1912 — POULTRY ORIGIN OF INDIAN RUNNERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULTRY

ORIGIN OF INDIAN RUNNERS

—r Came From West Indies and Are Thought by Many People to Be Most Profitable of Duck Family.

(By ANNA GALLIGHER, Ohio.)

It is only comparatively a few years since the Indian Runner ducks made their appearance* in America. They came originally from the - West Ihdies, where they have been raised for years, chiefly as egg-producers. They derive their name from their native land and racy, upright carriage. In color they are fawn and white, with yellow shanks and light-grien bill; the latter being sometimes splashed with black. » The body is long and narrow and is carried in an almost upright position. Neck is long and thin, with finely formed head. The Indian Runner is rather small, fully matured ducks weighing from, four to five pounds. Drakes from five' to six pounds, live weight. But they grow very rapidly while young and are easy to raise. What they lack in weight is more than made up for in their other good qualities. To begin with, they are very prolific layers; beginning when about, six months old. Their eggs are pure white and a little larger than those of a Plymouth Rock hen. They are superior in quality to any

duck’s eggs that we have ever eaten, .and as a rule, they bring higher prices in the market The ducklings reach a marketable size when about twelve weeks old. When forced, they will weigh four to five pounds at two months. The meat of the Runner is of superior quality; fine in the grain, juicy, and excellent flavor. Hotels and restaurants pay fancy prices for ducklings. The eggs are in good demand, also. In winter when eggs are high the In.dian Runner is “on the job.” Any enterprising person can work up a trade among hotels and restaurants that should prove highly profitable. There is no great-danger of strong competition, as comparatively few poultry raisers have taken up this branch of the industry, notwithstanding the fact that nearly all kinds of poultry products are bringing un-heard-of prices in the open market. In summer the Indian Runner when given free range will find the greater part of his living in the fields. But of course when being fattened fqr market, they need some grain, it would be well to say right here that for best results the grain should be either ground or cooked.

Indian Runner Drake and Duck.