The appearance of a Challans Duck is similar to a Rouen duck, but having a white bib instead of a neck ring, and lighter in weight. The ducks have mostly blue plumage, but with a white feathered breast, and a white bib on the neck. They have yellowish-orange shanks.
Males weigh up to 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg); females up to 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg.)
The ducks are raised in the Vendée area of France. They are allowed to roam along the canals, where rush nests are built for them. They forage for themselves free-range during this time, eating bugs, snails, tadpoles, etc. When they are 8 weeks old, they are gathered into pens for fattening for market.
History Notes
Challans Duck originated in Challans, France, from a cross between Rouen Clair and Colvert ducks in the mid 1600s.
This area of Vendée is marshy, so canals were built to drain it and make the land arable.
Traditionally, they were raised for market in Nantes 34 miles (55 km) north-east.
Sources
Kuchment, Anna. Let Them Eat Duck. Newsweek Magazine. 18 October 2004.
Scherf, Beate D., Editor. World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Second Edition. 1995. Page 234.