Rouen Duck thread

[urbanfarminslc]

Hello, I am a new duck keeper. I got two Pekins and two rouens on March 28th. I have been reading a lot about sexing the rouens but I am still not sure. I know one is female because she has started to quack but the other is quiet. His tail has a slight curl but there is no white ring around the neck. I was hoping someone here might be able to tell.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Well my best guess is male, because he is quite and drake curl.

 

[Julie Birb]

Thank you Julie. My daughter loves our ducks. She has no fear of our feathered friends, if we need to see a chicken or duck up close we release the 4 year old and she brings one back to us. We have had her and our 7 yr old involved in their raising since the day we brought them home. Sometimes I wouldn't be able to find her when they were brooding in our laundry room and I would find her in there petting them in her lap.

You are so welcome. That is so sweet your daughter loves the birds and has no fear of them. Sure makes things so much easier for child and burd. And the fact you would find her in the laundry room holding them is so touching.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I have two 4 week old ducklings. They are being brooded with my 6week old pullets. I currently allow them into a run I made during the day. It has been 60s to 70s and they seemed to have thrived outside. We are now getting into a week of cooler wet weather, though it is already 60s now. Curious if I need to keep the ducklings indoors. How cold/wet can my ducklings tolerate?
I realize they are ducks but they still have their fluff not feathers.

 

[heather113]

 

[Debs Flock]

I have two 4 week old ducklings. They are being brooded with my 6week old pullets. I currently allow them into a run I made during the day. It has been 60s to 70s and they seemed to have thrived outside. We are now getting into a week of cooler wet weather, though it is already 60s now. Curious if I need to keep the ducklings indoors. How cold/wet can my ducklings tolerate?
I realize they are ducks but they still have their fluff not feathers.

OFW, what's the lowest temps they'd be out in? I remember about that same age we had wet weather in the 50's & the 'lings were shivering so we put them in their brooder until the weather warmed up again.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Hey first time duck owner here. I've recently started to suspect my rouen and blue swedish are both males and my black swedish is the only female. Is this going to be a problem? I don't want to have to get rid of any I love them already.. thanks.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Hey first time duck owner here. I've recently started to suspect my rouen and blue swedish are both males and my black swedish is the only female. Is this going to be a problem? I don't want to have to get rid of any I love them already.. thanks.

If you only have those 3 ducks, it's not a huge problem. Just separate the female from the males during spring.

 

[MommaShades13]

I am pretty sure I have one male one female. Male: Green bill, soft raspy voice 2 days ago the black on his head got darker and today I notice his green head feathers are starting to come in plus his body size is bigger. Female: Loud quack/honk yellow bill smaller in size head color hasn't changed. My question is for safety. If I do have one male on female is she safe? She wont get mated to death will she? First time duck owner and I love my Rouens I just want them to be safe.

 

[AxolotlLove]

I am pretty sure I have one male one female.  Male: Green bill, soft raspy voice 2 days ago the black on his head got darker and today I notice his green head feathers are starting to come in plus his body size is bigger. Female: Loud quack/honk yellow bill smaller in size head color hasn't changed.  My question is for safety. If I do have one male on female is she safe?  She wont get mated to death will she?  First time duck owner and I love my Rouens I just want them to be safe.  

A pair is fine. That's what breeders do. Good luck with your ducks!