Ducks are adorable birds that are extremely simple to raise.
If you’re thinking about getting a duck, either as a pet or for food production, then that’s an incredible idea.
However, keep in mind that, as cute as ducks are, most breeds are extremely loud.
Loudness is a major factor to put into consideration before getting a duck.
If you live in a neighborhood, having noisy ducks can be annoying to your neighbors. So what about Rouen ducks, are they loud as well? Let’s find out!
Are Rouen Ducks Loud
Yes, Rouen ducks are loud birds.
Whether you’re planning on getting a Rouen duck as a pet or for farming purposes, you have to consider coping with their noise.
Although they aren’t as noisy as the call duck which is considered to be the noisiest, Rouen ducks make enough noise to bother your neighbors.
Their loud sound however is often a communication sign between the ducks.
They also make sounds when they are in danger and require assistance. Being in a good mood can also inspire their loud sounds.
They usually make quack noises when they are in a good mood and just want to have fun.
This article covers detailed information about Rouen ducks and everything you need to know about them. So, keep reading!
What Are Rouen Ducks Known For?
Rouen Ducks are well-known for a variety of reasons; they are exceptional birds with remarkable characteristics.
Because these birds are known as heavyweight ducks, they produce a lot of meat.
Rouen ducks are not great egg producers, only producing 150 eggs per year.
However, because of their sizes, these ducks guarantee generous portions of meat. These water birds are also famous for their colorful feathers.
As a result, they are ideal for decorations and exhibitions.
These ducks are ideal domestic birds; they thrive best in captivity and make excellent pets. Let’s consider the characteristics of this bird in detail;
- Physical features
This duck breed is quite large, weighing between 9 and 10 pounds, this helps to explain why they can’t fly.
The male Rouen duck is gray with a black tail and feathers, a white collar, green heads, and a deep claret breast.
This duck has blue speculum feathers, yellow bills, orange shanks, and orange feet.
Female Rouen ducks on the other hand have a lovely mahogany body color. They also have a characteristic brown crown and tan eye stripes.
Rouen ducklings have yellow downy feathers, dark brown patches, beaks, and face stripes.
Although female Rouens are frequently confused with female Mallards, the main distinction between the two is that Rouens are typically a much darker shade of brown.
- Nutrition
These ducks aren’t picky eaters; feeding them is quite easy because they are omnivores.
They can feed on plants and small animals; however, their primary food source is the aquatic vegetation.
Rouen primarily consume snails, small fish, seeds, plants, crabs, and other similar organisms. In captivity, they can be fed commercial feed or a homemade mixture of corn, oats, barley, and peas.
- Life span
The life span of a Rouen Duck is dependent on some factors. First, when these ducks are left in the wild, they barely survive up to 5 years.
They tend to live longer when domesticated.
Secondly, the purpose for which these ducks are reared is another factor that determines their lifespan.
When raised for meat production, their life span ranges between 1-2 years.
However, if you want to raise them as pets or for exhibition purposes, they can live up to 8 to 12 years.
- Habitat
These ducks originate from France. Although they are mainly captive ducks when in the wild they love to be around water.
They can be seen in small lakes, estuaries, and so on.
- Reproduction
Rouen ducks have a unique pattern of reproduction, unlike most birds, Rouen ducks don’t mate for life.
The male Rouen duck mates with several females every year. This results in the production of 150 eggs each year.
This duck doesn’t have a specific egg-laying season, they practically lay eggs all year round.
These ducks start laying eggs very early, as early as 7 to 8 months of age this duck begins to produce eggs. At this age, they produce about 5 to 20 eggs per clutch.
Are Rouen Ducks Calm
Rouen Ducks are docile and easygoing birds. These birds are known to be extremely social and friendly.
They have a calm personality and disposition, which is especially notable given their size.
Unfortunately, their large size limits their ability to be active.
These water birds are slow growers who take their time with everything. Despite being calm, Rouen ducks are quite noisy.
However, the females are louder than the males.
Is A Rouen Duck A Good Pet?
Rouen ducks make good pets; they are social and friendly so relating with humans isn’t an issue for them.
They aren’t just cool with humans they also have a good relationship with their fellow ducks which is why they are mostly seen moving in groups.
These ducks are incredibly easy to train, and they make wonderful show birds as well.
Growing these birds alongside other animals is easy because Rouens get along well with various animal species.
What Are Rouen Ducks Good For
Rouen Ducks aren’t the best options when it comes to egg production. However, they have a profound reputation for being remarkable meat producers.
The production breed is the most common type people use when raising Rouen ducks for meat since they grow slightly faster than the standard breed.
Since these birds are slow growers, they are not ideal for commercial duck farming.
Although they have excellent quality meat, they do not reach their full weight until they are about a year to a year and a half old.
How Do You Raise A Rouen Duckling
Raising Rouen ducklings isn’t as difficult as a lot of people imagine, precautions just have to be taken. Here are some steps to take when raising ducklings;
- Housing
When raising Rouen ducklings, ensure they are provided with ample space. Keeping ducks and ducklings together is a bad idea.
This is because fully grown ducks are way larger than ducklings and they can easily trample on them.
Ducklings require a space free from water as getting wet can lead to their death. They also do not need heat lamps in the house.
- Feed
Feeding ducklings the proper way determines how healthy they will be when they are fully grown.
Unlike adult Rouens, ducklings shouldn’t be fed just anything, they should be fed with un-medicated starter feeds.
This is because ducklings eat a lot and they can be overdosed by eating medication feeds.
Rouen ducklings also require a lot of protein during the first few weeks of their lives. They require at least 20-22% of protein.
- Treats
Treats are an important part of your duckling’s diet; they particularly love to eat kale, lettuce, and Swiss chard.
Don’t hold back on providing your ducking with these greens. Rouen ducklings are excellent foragers; they love to be outside feasting on bugs.
Are Rouen Ducks Aggressive?
Rouen Ducks aren’t aggressive birds, they are calm, friendly birds that enjoy being around humans.
However, they may attack when they feel threatened by humans and other predators. In addition, female Rouens can be aggressive during their breeding season.
This is because they intend to protect their young’s.
Surprisingly, the female Rouen ducks have been observed to trample on their eggs.
This doesn’t mean they are cannibals; however, this is a result of their large weight.
Ducklings should be kept in a separate house from adult Rouens to prevent this from happening.
Conclusion
If you’re considering raising Rouen ducks, you must note that they are loud birds.
Both sexes are loud, but the female Rouens are a lot louder than the male Rouen duck.
However, their loudness does not imply aggression; Rouen ducks have a cool and calm temperament.
If they ever attack, it will most likely be because they feel threatened.
