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.
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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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