The white ducks with red heads are a breed of domestic duck known as Rouen ducks. Rouen ducks are a heavy breed of domestic duck that originated in France. They are known for their large size, calm temperament, and striking plumage coloration. The key identifying features of Rouen ducks are their large bodies, clothed in white feathers with colorful heads and necks. The drakes (males) have deep green heads with a rich claret chestnut breast, while females have a reddish-brown head and speckled breast. Rouen ducks are popular as backyard pets and exhibition birds due to their graceful appearance and easy-going nature. In this article, we will explore the history, physical traits, temperament, care, and uses of this beautiful duck breed.
Breed History
Rouen ducks take their name from the town of Rouen in northern France, where they were first bred in the 19th century. They were developed from the wild Mallard duck, but through selective breeding have become much larger than their wild ancestor. Rouen ducks were originally bred mainly for meat production, taking advantage of their fast growth and large frame size.
In the United States, Rouen ducks were first imported in the late 1800s and soon became a popular multipurpose fowl, valued for both meat and eggs. The American Poultry Association recognized Rouens as a standard duck breed in 1874. Rouen ducks enjoyed widespread popularity on American farms until after World War II. However, as commercial poultry production became more focused on a small number of specialized breeds, the popularity of Rouens began to wane.
Today, Rouens are considered a rare breed, with fewer than 1,000 breeding ducks estimated in North America. However, they are still bred by waterfowl fanciers and small farmers interested in heritage poultry conservation. Their striking appearance makes them a top exhibition duck, often winning poultry shows.
Physical Traits
Rouen ducks are a large, heavy breed, with drakes weighing 8-10 lbs and ducks 7-8 lbs on average. They have a long, deep, rounded body on short legs set well apart for stability. The bill is yellow or orange, often shading to greenish at the base. The legs and feet are reddish-orange.
The most striking feature of the Rouen duck is its coloration. The head and neck of drakes are a deep, lustrous green with a claret-colored chestnut breast. The rest of the body is mostly white, though the tail may be overlaid with gray. Females are more subdued, with a red-brown head and speckled gray-brown breast fading into white on the body and wings.
| Trait | Drake (Male) | Duck (Female) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8-10 lbs | 7-8 lbs |
| Bill Color | Yellow/orange | |
| Leg Color | Reddish-orange | |
| Head Color | Metallic green | Reddish-brown |
| Breast Color | Chestnut red | Speckled brown |
| Body Color | White | |
Rouen ducklings hatch with yellow and brown striped down. As they mature, the colored markings will begin to emerge on the white juvenile plumage. Drakes take longer to acquire their full vibrant coloring – up to two years. The beak, legs, and feet also darken to orange or red over the first few weeks.
Temperament
Rouen ducks have a very calm, docile temperament. They are not easily frightened and do not fly or wander far from home. This placid nature makes them a great choice for families with children or as backyard pets. They enjoy human interaction and will follow their owners around the yard.
The Rouen is considered an ideal duck for exhibition due to its charming personality. They remain calm at poultry shows, which helps judges fully assess their conformation. Their laidback attitude also makes Rouens easy to handle for novice exhibitors.
Rouens get along well with other duck breeds, so can be kept in mixed flocks. They should not be kept with aggressive birds like Muscovy ducks. Rouens are too large and slow to be at risk from predators and can be kept with chickens or other fowl. The ducks are not particularly noisy, but drakes will have a low, raspy quack.
Care
Despite their large size, Rouen ducks have modest care requirements. They are cold-hardy and do not require elaborate housing. A simple duck house or shelter from the elements is sufficient. Rouens will need access to a pond or pool to dabble and immerse their head and eyes. This is essential for their health and hygiene.
Rouens are not strong flyers, so a fence two feet high will contain them. If allowed to roam, they are excellent foragers but should be provided supplementary feed. They can be fed standard waterfowl ration or poultry layer feed. Ducklings require a starter feed for the first 6-8 weeks.
Fresh clean water must always be available. Rouens will gulp water and spill it in the process, so replenishing their water containers is a frequent chore.
In summary, Rouens need the following care:
– Shelter from wind, rain, and sun
– A pool or pond for dabbling
– Fencing at least 2 feet high
– Layer feed or duck ration
– Fresh water
– Nest boxes for breeding ducks
With their modest needs met, Rouen ducks are long-lived, commonly reaching 8-12 years or more. They will reward their keepers with charming antics, quiet companionship, pest control, and bountiful eggs.
Egg Laying
Rouen ducks are excellent layers of large white eggs. They produce an abundant supply of eggs averaging 35-40 ounces per duck per month. That’s over 200 very large eggs per duck each year!
Their laying peaks between 2-5 years old. Rouen ducks lay well for 8 or more years with appropriate care and nutrition. Egg production is highest from early spring through summer. Like chickens, exposure to sufficient daylight triggers most duck egg laying.
Rouen duck eggs have a crisp, rich flavor prized by chefs. The high yolk to white ratio makes their eggs ideal for baking too. Rouens are an excellent choice for homesteaders wanting copious eggs from a heritage breed. If nest boxes are provided, most Rouens will lay indoors. Otherwise, they will deposit eggs on the ground, necessitating an “egg hunt”.
Meat Uses
As descendants of ducks bred for roasting, Rouens remain a delicious meat bird today. Their fast-growing nature allows them to reach 5-7 pounds live weight in just 7-9 weeks with proper feeding. Rouens yield a good carcass dressing out at about 70% of live weight.
Both ducklings and mature Rouen ducks can be harvested for meat. Ducklings are most tender when processed between 6-10 weeks old. Mature ducks tend to be tougher unless stewed or braised slowly. Rouen meat is flavorful, though the carcass fat may have a fishy taste if the diet includes fish meal.
Popular Rouen duck recipes include:
– Roasted duck with orange or cherry sauce
– Duck confit – duck legs cured and slowly cooked in fat
– Duck breast with pan sauce
– Duck gumbo or jambalaya stew
– Smoked duck
– Duck prosciutto
With their well-fleshed breasts and legs, Rouens are a gourmet choice for home duck meat production.
Ornamental Uses
Beyond eggs and meat, Rouen ducks are raised for their striking ornamental qualities. The beautiful plumage and coloration make them a top decorative duck. Their large size and upright carriage show off their patterns to full effect.
Rouen drakes in particular make a bold statement in any pond or waterfowl collection. The green head and claret breast glow against the white body. Rouens are commonly kept as ornamentals in parks, estates, zoos, and backyard ponds.
For those interested in exhibiting poultry, Rouen ducks are a frequent winner. Their size, carriage, color patterns, and gentle temperament help them place well in shows year after year. Both ducks and drakes can compete in ornamental competitions.
As a calm heritage breed, Rouens are ideal for public exhibition settings like county fairs. Children can show them easily. The Rouen’s dependable show qualities make it a satisfying breed for novice exhibitors as well as experts.
Conservation Status
The Livestock Conservancy considers Rouen ducks to be a “watch” breed, meaning fewer than 5,000 breeding birds are estimated in North America. However, Rouens are not currently endangered. Their popularity as ornamental and exhibition ducks has kept breeding stock robust.
Rouens remain a rare breed compared to commercial White Pekins or mallard-derived ducks. As backyard duck keeping grows in popularity, Rouens are once again being utilized on small farms and homesteads. Those seeking a beautiful, multipurpose breed are helping conserve the Rouen duck for future generations.
Organizations like the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities (SPPA) help maintain genetic diversity in Rouen duck breeding flocks. As long as the Rouen’s ornamental qualities and productive abilities are appreciated, this heritage duck will endure.
Conclusion
With their French heritage, large size, colorful plumage, and calm disposition, Rouen ducks are a distinctive breed on the waterfowl scene. They offer beauty, bountiful eggs, and gourmet meat for the smallholder. For fanciers, the Rouen is a competitive show bird and eye-catching ornamental duck. As a rare breed, the Rouen survives through the efforts of conservationists and homesteaders cultivating these multi-talented ducks. With their graceful charm and varied virtues, Rouens are sure to captivate duck aficionados well into the future.
