Raising Rouen Ducks

Raising Rouen Ducks

Raising Rouen Ducks

Raising Rouen ducks is an excellent choice for homesteaders who want a hardy, dual-purpose heritage breed with striking beauty and a calm disposition. Often mistaken for oversized Mallards due to their rich, wild-type plumage, Rouen ducks are prized for their flavorful meat, respectable egg production, and gentle temperament—making them ideal for small farms, backyard flocks, and educational settings.

1. Know the Breed: Rouen Duck Profile

• Origin: France (despite the name, not from Rouen, NY—developed from French farm ducks).

• Appearance:

  • Drakes: Iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, gray body, curly tail feathers.

  • Ducks: Mottled brown with rich patterning—excellent camouflage.

  • Both have orange bills and legs.

• Size: Large—heavier than Mallards.

  • Drakes: 8–10 lbs

  • Ducks: 7–9 lbs

  • (Note: American Rouens are larger than the original French “Rouen Clair”)

• Egg Production: 100–150 large, white or tinted eggs per year.

• Temperament: Calm, docile, friendly, and slow-moving—great with children.

• Broodiness: Moderate—some hens will go broody and make attentive mothers.

• Lifespan: 8–12 years.

• Purpose: Dual-purpose—meat (rich, flavorful, darker than Pekin) and eggs.

✅ Why Choose Rouens?

• Beautiful, heritage breed

• Excellent foragers

• Quiet and gentle

• Good meat quality (often preferred by chefs over Pekin)

• Better suited to free-ranging than fast-growing commercial ducks

2. Getting Started: Sourcing Ducklings

• Reputable breeders or hatcheries:

  • Metzer Farms, Sand Hill Preservation Center, Holderread’s Waterfowl, or heritage breed associations.

• Avoid: “Jumbo” or commercial strains—opt for standard/heirloom Rouens to support genetic diversity.

• Buy in pairs or small groups: Ducks are social—never keep just one.

• Best time to start: Spring—allows ducklings to mature before winter.

🐣 Tip: Rouen ducklings grow slower than Pekins—be patient; they take 16–20 weeks to reach full size.

3. Brooding Ducklings (0–8 Weeks)

Heat:

• Week 1: 90°F

• Reduce by 5°F weekly until fully feathered (~7–8 weeks)

Bedding:

• Non-slip surface first week (paper towels, rubber mat) to prevent splay leg.

• Switch to pine shavings or straw afterward.

Water:

• Shallow dish only—deep enough to dip bills, not drown.

• Change 2–3 times daily (they splash and soil water quickly).

• Keep water outside the heat source.

Feed:

• Non-medicated chick starter (20–22% protein) + niacin (vitamin B3).
  → Add 100–150 mg niacin per gallon of water, or 1–2 tbsp brewer’s yeast per cup of feed.

• Never use medicated feed—toxic to ducks.

• Avoid high-protein “meat bird” feed—they don’t need rapid growth.

Space: Start with ½ sq ft per duckling; increase as they grow (they become large birds).

4. Housing & Shelter

Rouens sleep on the ground and do not roost.

Coop Requirements:

• 4–5 sq ft per duck inside (they’re large and need room).

• Dry, draft-free, well-ventilated—moisture leads to respiratory issues.

• Bedding: Straw or pine shavings (change regularly—they produce wet droppings).

• Nesting: Provide quiet, dark corners with soft bedding—they often lay on the ground.

🔒 Security: Lock them in at night—raccoons, foxes, and owls are threats.

5. Outdoor Habitat & Foraging

• Minimum run space: 15–20 sq ft per duck.

• Fencing: 3–4 ft tall with ¼" hardware cloth (not chicken wire).

• Buried base: Bury 12" or add an outward apron to deter diggers.

• Free-ranging: Highly encouraged—Rouens are excellent foragers (slugs, snails, beetles, grass, weeds).
  → Can reduce feed costs by 30–50% with good pasture.

🌿 Garden Tip: Use them in orchards or post-harvest beds—they avoid damaging established plants.

6. Water Needs

Ducks must have water to clean their eyes, nostrils, and feathers.

Provide:

• Fresh drinking water at all times (deep enough to submerge bills).

• Dipping tub or kiddie pool—change daily (they’ll muck it up quickly).

• Swimming: Optional but enriching—use a low-sided container with easy exit.

💧 Mud Management: Place water on gravel, sand, or well-drained soil to minimize muck.

7. Feeding Adult Rouens

• Layer feed: 16% protein crumbles or pellets.

• Calcium: Offer free-choice crushed oyster shell for strong eggshells.

• Grit: Needed if not free-ranging.

• Forage: Grass, insects, aquatic plants—significant portion of diet if ranging.

• Treats: Peas, kale, cucumbers, mealworms, tomatoes.

• Avoid: Bread, avocado, citrus, raw potatoes, spinach (in excess).

🥩 Meat Note: Process at 12–16 weeks for tender meat; older birds are excellent for stewing or confit.

8. Health & Common Issues

Rouens are hardy but watch for:

• Niacin deficiency: Causes leg weakness—ensure proper supplementation.

• Bumblefoot: From rough or wet surfaces—keep bedding dry.

• Predators: Their calm nature makes them vulnerable—secure housing is essential.

• Wet feather: Caused by dirty water or poor nutrition—provide clean dipping water.

✅ Prevention: Clean water, dry shelter, balanced diet, and space.

9. Egg Laying & Broodiness

• Start laying: 6–7 months old.

• Egg color: Large, white or slightly tinted eggs.

• Broodiness: Moderate—some hens will sit on a clutch of 8–12 eggs.

• Incubation: 28 days at 99.5°F, 55% humidity (increase to 65–70% at lockdown).

🥚 Fun Fact: Rouen eggs have rich, golden yolks—excellent for baking and custards!

10. Seasonal Care

• Winter:

  • Provide dry, draft-free shelter

  • Use deep straw bedding for insulation

  • Break ice in waterers 2–3x/day

• Summer:

  • Extra shade and fresh water

  • Shallow pools for cooling

  • Ensure good airflow to prevent heat stress

11. Integration into a Self-Sufficient System

• Pest control: Deploy in gardens, orchards, or near compost piles.

• Manure: High in nitrogen—compost before using on crops.

• Meat & eggs: Sustain your household with high-quality protein.

• Heritage conservation: Raising Rouens supports genetic diversity in poultry.

Rouen ducks combine beauty, utility, and temperament into one exceptional heritage breed. They’re slower-growing than commercial ducks but reward you with superior flavor, self-sufficiency through foraging, and a calm presence in your backyard or farm.

🌟 “A Rouen duck is like a living painting—graceful, useful, and quietly regal.”

Ready to raise Rouens? Start with 2–4 ducklings in spring, provide secure shelter and water, and enjoy their company for years to come.

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