Mallards or Rouens?

hannuh_montana

In the Brooder
Apr 29, 2020
25
12
23
So my ducks were 7 weeks old on Tuesday (6/2). We got them at Tractor Supply as "mallards", but someone mentioned to me that they might actually be Rouens. What are the differences, and what do you think based on the pictures? Is TSC known for selling ducks labeled as the wrong breed or is it safe to assume they're what they say they are? Their back toes are not clipped, but we live in a very rural area and other people I know have gotten TSC mallards in the past without being clipped, so I don't think I can use that as a determining factor. They're about 3.7 pounds right now but haven't really changed much in growth the past 2 weeks as far as I can tell.

Also, based on their sounds, I think we have 1 male and 2 females. Is it too soon for a male to be developing a drake curl? (pictures attached) I thought it was early, but the one we think is male (still only peeps) definitely is starting to curl where the others aren't. 'He' also has slightly iridescent feathers in his tail area that I've noticed in the sun, where the other 2 have the brown detailed feathers that are all-over. I've attached some pictures of the iridescence but it's really faint and I can only see it in the right sunlight. (as ducklings, he's the one with only 1 eye line and a spot)

(Sorry for attaching so many pictures. I was hoping more would help since they've grown so much)
 

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I agree, they are probably Rouen. Rouens are a large breed and will be anywhere from 6-9lbs with the males being larger. Mallards are normally around 2-3lbs so considerably smaller. All Mallard Ducklings hatched domestically are required to be identified per US Fish and Wildlife regulations. An easy way to identify them is they will have a back toe removed upon hatch to identify them as domestically hatched. What precious webbies you have there! :love
 
I agree, they are probably Rouen. Rouens are a large breed and will be anywhere from 6-9lbs with the males being larger. Mallards are normally around 2-3lbs so considerably smaller. All Mallard Ducklings hatched domestically are required to be identified per US Fish and Wildlife regulations. An easy way to identify them is they will have a back toe removed upon hatch to identify them as domestically hatched. What precious webbies you have there! :love
I'm thinking probably Rouen as well, but other people in my area have had mallards from TSC that didn't have their toe removed, so I wasn't sure if I could rely on that. And size wise, these are my first ducks so I don't have anything to compare them to. I was thinking they were mostly fully grown since they're 7 weeks old, but is that not the case?
 
I'm thinking probably Rouen as well, but other people in my area have had mallards from TSC that didn't have their toe removed, so I wasn't sure if I could rely on that. And size wise, these are my first ducks so I don't have anything to compare them to. I was thinking they were mostly fully grown since they're 7 weeks old, but is that not the case?
The back toe being removed is a regulation thing so if they come from a hatchery, it will be removed. Otherwise, I would think they could get in trouble and it affect their business. It isn't both back toes either. It is just 1. They will have a nub back there, just no nail, and the other foot will be normal. If they come from someone locally it could probably be different. :confused:
The size that I mentioned is an estimate and can always vary. It will give you a ballpark figure. If they are about 4lbs now, the females may gain another 1lb to 1 1/2lb. If you have a male, he will probably get 1lb to 1 1/2lb bigger than the females. I don't know how much mine weigh. Again, is a ballpark because it will depend on what they're fed as well as their environment and how much exercise they get. I don't know the age at which you would consider them full grown.
 

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