Is my rouen hen breeder quality?

[DUCKGIRL89]

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Ok, thank you. I will google it

I thought the weight looked a bit off

BTW she weighs a good 7 lbs

 

[roocrazy]

duckgirl...go to feathersite. it has a GREAT example of exhibition rouens.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

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Ok, thanks so much guys. Dont know what I would do with out you all!

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

You can still breed her, just don't sell the offspring as show quality ducklings or eggs. Some people aren't looking for show quality birds, they just want a nice pet.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

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Thats whqt alot of people here are looking for. But there are a few lookinv for SQ. I hqve to say she is the calmest duck I ever had.... Lets hope shes a good layer

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Showing 4H would be easier than national level also. As most kids aren't buying 200 show birds for the fair.

 

[roocrazy]

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yes. most fairs. my county fair is VERY strict on following APA standards! Duane Urch shows a TON and he always does good!!

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

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Thats whqt alot of people here are looking for. But there are a few lookinv for SQ. I hqve to say she is the calmest duck I ever had.... Lets hope shes a good layer

SQ birds generally don't lay as well as PQ birds

 

[Oregon Blues]

Many people use the definition that "Breeder quality" birds are show quality birds that meet, or nearly meet, the SOP, they just aren't quite good enough to beat the best birds to win prizes. You expect to be able to get show quality birds by breeding your breeder quality birds.

I think your girl is absolutely gorgeous, but considering how she looks right now, the only way you are going to get show quality birds out of her is to breed her to a top of the line show drake and then take her babies and breed them back to a top of the line show drake, all the while culling diligently and only keeping any of the offspring that come close to meeting the SOP and have correct body type.

Now, she might change and develop a proper keel as she gets older. I don't have Rouens so I don't know when they get their heavy keel. So I would give her more time before I made my final evaluation.

I think she is better than hatchery quality, and maybe it is worth it to try to breed her up if she has really outstanding qualities. Like she has a beautiful temperament. Perhaps it is worth trying to keep that temperament and breed her offspring up to a better body type.

It's a lot easier to start with birds who have the correct body type, but by using drakes with very correct body type and putting several generations of work into the project you can start with her and improve your lines. However breeding her to pet quality simply moves you in the wrong direction.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

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Thank you for the nice comment

she has and outstanding temperment. I actually found a SQ rouen breeder who is getting rid of there stock

might go and pick up a pair to put on my dads place if she still has then is spring

her drqke won reserved grand champion in a show, and she in keeping him, and her two hens and selling her others. Her other drake is SQ as well, but hasnt won that prize. When I first saw SQ rouens they scared me from their massive size. But they have grown on me now

please

for me that she will save me a pair for spring