Rouen or Mallard

PatStacey

In the Brooder
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
22
Reaction score
35
Points
44
We have (9) ducks that we got back in April 2020, so they are a little over 9 month old. The (2) Rouens are very small compared to all the others and they fly around our yard (like over the house). Any way these could be Mallards? If so, will they eventually fly away? We had one go missing for a day, then come flying back in.
 

Attachments

  • flock.jpg
    flock.jpg
    754.7 KB · Views: 16
  • rouens.jpg
    rouens.jpg
    820.7 KB · Views: 17
If they're mallards, they can fly away if you don't clip their wings. I personally can't tell the difference, but @ColtHandorf might be able to
I'm not sure we're up for clipping wings, but my son is super attached to these two little ducks! I was hoping they would stay put since they seem bonded to our Peking pair.
 
Those are definitely Mallards. If they were Rouens they'd be much closer in size to the Pekin, even if they are hatchery stock. Technically to have "Flying Mallards" you need to have the appropriate paperwork/license to have them as they are considered migratory. Clipping wings can be done but it would honestly be less of a headache in the long run to build a covered aviary/pen for the ducks with a wire or net roof to keep them contained. Ducklings can be pinioned to keep them from being able to fly, permanently, although you can't do that with adult birds.

Chances are the girls will get into mischief flying around. Hawks and other birds of prey could take them, they could wander off with some wild Mallards, and they could even be shot by someone hunting. Also, if you have any male ducks in the larger domestic varieties (Pekin for example) be sure the hens aren't being overbred, harassed, etc. From the photo it looks like you have all hens, but better be safe than sorry.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom