To think it all started with wanting Geese, which I didn't get, but got a Rooster who had to be re-homed, which led to getting him girlfriends, a coop, a chook run, then these 3 Ducklings.... I will get to owning Geese again (One-day) but meanwhile I really enjoyed bringing up these few week old ducklings and this was them 6 months ago at midwinters yule in the southern hemisphere 2022. On Arrival...A box of quackers and the Duck journey begins. Putting together my Temp and makeshift Brooder...I used a 50 liter storage tub lined with straw then sawdust so I could clean out the saw dust daily and the hay underneath when needed, using hay to catch any wetness. I then fit a low voltage red bulb to an office lamp to hang over, especially at night and or when its cold. Small dishes sufficed for duck starter crumbles mixed with water and a just water' dish. Its important to feed them a starter 'grower' with water as they grow (and quickly they do) so they don't miss out on nutrients they need. Lack of adequate nutrients can lead to developmental problems including weak legs and on a heavy bird such as a Rouen, that something you really want to avoid. At around the 16-17 week mark the ducklings are weened onto grower pellets and off the starter 'grower'. Both are purchased commercially and are widely available. Named...Sleepy Heads...In ClosingThe breed of this trio was quite interesting albeit cross breed. They're a Rouen cross Peking and are siblings. "The breed was first raised in France, but it was not until it reached England in the 19th century that it was refined into the breed recognized as the Rouen today. The French version resembled a larger than average Mallard, but by selective breeding, the British developed the exhibition-type Rouen. The final breed was a bird with a deep, long keel, boat-shaped profile, enormous appearance, and refined markings, especially the penciling on the female. With eggs a typically white but can have blue and green tints. Exhibition-typed Rouen ducks have been known to crush their eggs if allowed to set due to their massive frames. In 1861, Mrs. Beeton said of it: "The Rouen, or Rhone duck, is a large and handsome variety, of French extraction. The plumage of the Rouen duck is somewhat somber." The origin of the name is not known. When they arrived in England, they were variously called the Rhône, after the region in southwest-central France, Rohan, after the cardinal of that name, Roan, for the mixture of colors, and Rouen after the northern French town, with Rouen eventually being adopted in both England and France. In France, they are called Rouen Foncé (dark) as opposed to Rouen Clair, which are lighter in color. In 1850 the first Rouens were introduced to the United States by D. W. Lincoln of Worcester, Massachusetts, and used as general farm ducks until becoming popular as show birds. They were included in the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1874 and since then have won many titles, often having the most entries in the heavyweight class and doing well in competition with other breeds. Classification
Thank-you for reading, Stay tuned for more... From a coming Chapter 'Ducks'Author...Ravenmor Fox is a Druid & Witch of the old ways, with Maternal and Paternal blood lines to each respective clans, along with being Priestess of the Morrigan, Permaculturist and Horticulturist. Raven loves crafting in ways of manner including with yarn and prepping for self sustainability, aiming to finally get out on an acreage here in the Australian bush someday. More Posts...
Disclaimer: This is not a paid presentation and any opinions are my own as well as not being affiliate in anyway. © Bohemefit
Originally published June 21st 2022-06-21
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