Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Livestock


Indian Runner Ducks

Indian Runner Ducks


Although its name suggests that it might have roots in indigenous North American cultures or in India, the Indian Runner breed of ducks has its origins in the islands of the East Indies. Its name is the consequence of its arrival in England on the ships of the British East India Company. The Dutch called it the Penguin duck as a consequence of its penguin-like upright posture when walking. The breed is popular because they are effective scroungers and mature females lay 150-200 eggs per year and sometimes more. However, they are notorious for carelessly laying their eggs anywhere and leaving them vulnerable to predators. This may have given rise to Beatrix Potter's story The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.


The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck Cover


Bibliography:

"Indian Runner Ducks." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 12 Jun. 2015. Web. 23 Jun. 2015.
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Runner_duck.




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© Derrick Grose, 2015