The Rouen duck originates from France, the place farmers have raised the breed for a whole lot of years. Rouens arrived in america in 1850 and have been admitted to the American Commonplace of Perfection in 1874.

Bodily Attributes

Rouens appear like Mallards, solely they’re significantly bigger. They usually don’t fly almost as effectively, making them appropriate for yard ponds. As one other plus, they’re much less noisy than among the different duck breeds.

Just like the Mallard, the Rouen drake has a inexperienced head and a white band round its neck. The again is darkish grey, whereas the underside is gentle grey. Blue feathers grace the wings.

The Rouen duck has muted brown-and-black camouflage plumage. Just like the drake, she additionally has blue wing feathers.

Breed Qualities

Rouens are a slow-growing meat breed. They take 6 to eight months to succeed in 5 kilos (hens) to 7.5 kilos (drakes). As a result of they’re so heavy, they are often inclined to bumblefoot, particularly if saved in a hard-packed or rocky yard.

The hens lay round 160 massive to extra-large eggs per yr, or generally extra, and usually will brood. Egghell coloration might be both white or pale blue-green.

These docile geese make terrific yard pets that additionally present efficient insect management. They’re good foragers and are due to this fact straightforward keepers. All these nice options make the Rouen duck a wonderful alternative for the start duck keeper.

And that’s at the moment’s information from the Cackle Coop.

Gail Damerow is the writer of An Absolute Newbie’s Information to Elevating Yard Geese : Breeds, Feeding, Housing and Care, Eggs and Meat.