Eclipse390
In the Brooder
Ok guys, so I was sold these chicks as cochin hens. Was told they aren't large breed, but that's it. I'm guessing now that they're bantams since they are NOT growing. Any guessses?
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I agree; both d'Uccles. Beautiful birds. )Those are not Cochins, because they have a different body shape and have a beard & muffs. Those are Blue and Golden Neck d'Uccle pullets.
I've not owned D'uccles, so others may have personal experience with that particular breed, but I do own bantam Cochins and Silkies.
It depends on your weather. The good news, the feathered feet help protect their feet from the elements like snow. The bad news, their feathered feet really get mucked up with mud and gunk which can be a recipe for bumble foot, and being so low the the ground, their underbellies likewise become a muddy mess.
The little bantams can be picked and hazed by a large fowl flock, and they are slower to predators.
Thus I tend to keep my bantams separate in their own pen (especially since I use them as my brooding stable), keep them on bark chips (really helps keep the mud balls down), and provide choice of open sky (under hawk netting) or covered run. Usually they are acting like chickens pretty oblivous to the elements, but also happier in their own space.
LofMc
I agree.Those are not Cochins, because they have a different body shape and have a beard & muffs. Those are Blue and Golden Neck d'Uccle pullets.