Rouen Duck

Rouen Ducks, which belong to the Heavy Weight Duck Class, have beautiful, unique, attractive color patterns and are one of the most popular duck breeds for exhibition. Rouen’s are sometimes called “Big Mallards” or “non-flying Mallards” because both males and females have the same color patterns as Mallards. They make excellent pets because of their large size and docile nature.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: Rouen ducks are among the heaviest domestic duck breeds. Standard Rouens can weigh between 9–12 pounds, while production types typically range from 6–8 pounds.

• Appearance: Drakes exhibit a striking green head, white neck ring, and a claret-colored bib, complemented by a grey body. Females are brown with dark penciling, closely resembling Mallards.

Meat Production

• Quality: Rouen ducks are prized for their tender, delicately flavored meat, often considered a delicacy and featured in gourmet cuisine .

• Maturity: They have a slow growth rate, taking approximately 8–12 months to reach full maturity, which makes them less suitable for commercial farming but ideal for small farms and backyard flocks .

Rouen Duck Egg Production

• Yield: Egg production varies among individual ducks. Standard Rouens typically lay between 35–125 eggs per year, while production types may produce 140–180 eggs annually .

• Egg Characteristics: The eggs are large, with white shells, and occasionally have a bluish or greenish tint .

• Brooding Behavior: Due to their size, female Rouens may accidentally crush eggs during incubation, making supervision necessary