Like their male counterparts, they also have a blue streak on their wings.ĭucklings have yellow, downy feathers and dark brown patches, beaks, legs, and facial stripes. Rouen drakes have brown necks or breasts, gray bodies with blue markings on their wings, orange feet, yellow bills, a white ring around their necks, and bright green heads.įemale Rouens have brown bills, orange feet, dark mahogany feathers with penciling patterns on their wings, heads, necks, and bodies. Although the average height of this breed varies, they can measure over 20 inches tall.
Production Rouens weigh between six to eight pounds, while standard Rouens weigh between nine and 11 pounds. In addition, production Rouens are lighter and have a slimmer build than their standard counterparts. Their plumage color is also brighter than Mallards. Physical CharacteristicsĪlthough male and female Rouen ducks look strikingly similar to Mallards, they aren’t the same breed they are much larger and heavier than them. Some wait until the birds are nine months old before butchering, while others do it a few months earlier. Despite their meat’s fat content, it’s considered lean, juicy, and tender. It might take a few extra weeks for them to reach an ideal butcher weight compared to other breeds. Rouen duck meat has high percentages of fat, making them ideal for many types of delectable dishes. While some argue the breed matures too slowly and doesn’t lay as many eggs as other breeds, smaller farms can profit from them in local markets. As all-purpose birds, they’re valuable on most markets. Many people breed Rouen ducks for exhibition and their meat.
While not as commercially valuable as the Pekin, several people consider Rouen duck meat a delicacy in the culinary arts. Historically, Rouen ducks acted as the national standard for meat birds until the introduction of the Pekin in 1873. Through selective breeding, the Rouen eventually grew stockier and doubled in weight. Their appearance significantly altered after years of domestication after their introduction to England. They got their namesake from the Rhone region of France, and their “roan” color scheme. Many of them are slimmer in the wild than their domestic counterparts some might mistake them for Mallards due to their similar color schemes. Rouen ducks originated from France, but eventually gained prominence after the breed’s distribution to England. One trait that sets them apart from other duck breeds is their preference for not flying. These ducks have gentle temperaments and adapt to most of their surroundings. Rouen ducks are one of the world’s largest duck breeds and make excellent meat and domestic exhibition choices.
0 kommentar(er)
