My Mallards like fly as well, but don't do it that often. We don't let them free fly because we have every predator imaginable around us, but we have a big area for them that is covered over and 8 feet high. They fly in there. They fly out of their pool and back in. Do the occasional swoop here and there. Terrify the chickens when they zap over head.
As far as Rouens being mean, ours are sweeties! Both the drake and the hen are very docile and they don't terrorize the chickens at all. They'll give them a light poke with their bills every now and then, but they do that to each other as well. Kind of a "get outta the way" poke. If the Rouen hen is in my lap and a chicken comes over to see me, she will give them a short hiss, but that's it. The hens will do that as well....they don't hiss, but will ruffle up and give a good squawk to whichever duck tries to climb up on me.
As far as Rouens being mean, ours are sweeties! Both the drake and the hen are very docile and they don't terrorize the chickens at all. They'll give them a light poke with their bills every now and then, but they do that to each other as well. Kind of a "get outta the way" poke. If the Rouen hen is in my lap and a chicken comes over to see me, she will give them a short hiss, but that's it. The hens will do that as well....they don't hiss, but will ruffle up and give a good squawk to whichever duck tries to climb up on me.
