Hello! So I’m hoping someone can give me some advice/answers or has had an experience with this.
A few weeks ago we bought some ducklings 2 of which are Rouen. For some background we did get them from tractor supply against my better judgment/experience, after some research into the hatchery they buy their birds from I was not pleased. We had just lost my flock of ducks to coyotes a few days prior so I was really missing having them around hence why I caved a bought them.
Anyway- everyone is happy and healthy, eating/drinking normal, activity levels are normal, fortunately no issues health wise but this does lead me to my inquiry… both ducks seem small to me, my Rouens in the past were all 7+lbs once fully grown, these guys are tiny!! The smallest of the two is about half the size of our other Rouen who only a few days older, they have started to molt and their flight feathers are now starting to come in as well. All of my other birds had about a 1/4 of growth left after/during molting and then that was it, that was as big as they got so I’m just a little concerned these guys aren’t going to get any bigger!
Like I said we have had no issues with health thankfully but will it cause issues farther down the road? Should I be concerned about their genetics being passed on if we have to have a mallard/offspring having health&genetic issues? Is it dwarfism? Is she just a tiny girl? These are some of my questions and there are plenty more haha, sorry for the novella but hopefully someone can give me some answers!
(I do not have photos on hand but can get some to post if it’s helpful! Also another thought- she looks like a completely Normal Rouen just little. No obvious physical deformities/difference from the others)
A few weeks ago we bought some ducklings 2 of which are Rouen. For some background we did get them from tractor supply against my better judgment/experience, after some research into the hatchery they buy their birds from I was not pleased. We had just lost my flock of ducks to coyotes a few days prior so I was really missing having them around hence why I caved a bought them.
Anyway- everyone is happy and healthy, eating/drinking normal, activity levels are normal, fortunately no issues health wise but this does lead me to my inquiry… both ducks seem small to me, my Rouens in the past were all 7+lbs once fully grown, these guys are tiny!! The smallest of the two is about half the size of our other Rouen who only a few days older, they have started to molt and their flight feathers are now starting to come in as well. All of my other birds had about a 1/4 of growth left after/during molting and then that was it, that was as big as they got so I’m just a little concerned these guys aren’t going to get any bigger!
Like I said we have had no issues with health thankfully but will it cause issues farther down the road? Should I be concerned about their genetics being passed on if we have to have a mallard/offspring having health&genetic issues? Is it dwarfism? Is she just a tiny girl? These are some of my questions and there are plenty more haha, sorry for the novella but hopefully someone can give me some answers!
(I do not have photos on hand but can get some to post if it’s helpful! Also another thought- she looks like a completely Normal Rouen just little. No obvious physical deformities/difference from the others)
