Barbu d'Uccle feathered feet

[untamed_spirit]

Hi,

I have 18 chickens, lots of different breeds. 1 of my babies is a Mille Fleur Barbu d'Uccle called Diva. She is incredibly sweet and is getting better at being picked up, only panicking slightly during the catching process but settling down quickly once nestled in the crook of my arm!

My question is this.
My chickens are free rangers, and her feet feathers are constantly getting dirty and clogged with mud. I can perceive this getting worse as we get into Autumn, and as she is not and will never be a show bird, is it possible to clip her feet feathers so she has 'bare feet'? I don't know much about the breed and whether this will upset them or cause distress. I would be doing it purely for practical reasons, as when the feathers are clogged with mud she sometimes struggles to walk till I or she cleans them off.

Also, I read that they are not winter-hardy birds. What can I do to help her see through the cold winter? Should I get her a jacket, or are british winters not severe enough to be a problem generally?

Last quick question, being the smallest in the group, she doesn't get bullied as such, but she does seem to spend large amounts of time by herself. If I got another 4-5 tiny breeds and introduced them in a separate area so they can bond, are they likely to stick together being the same size or as soon as I release them into the flock would they more likely just separate and go their own ways?

I have always had mixed breed chickens in the past, and always medium birds, so I want to understand the restrictions and special care I need to give here because of her size! Any other information you might have in regards to this would be most appreciated!

Ellie

Diva and Buffy my bantam Orpington

 

[mymilliefleur]

I also raise duccles, and yes, you can clip their feet (though I've never done it personally) Just be very careful you don't cut them and make sure you don't cut any new feathers that are just coming in because the shafts will be filled with blood and there will be a lot of bleeding if they are cut. My duccles have done fine in temps down to -3F with out any issues. during the summer a keep my bantams in tractors, and during the winter I keep them in a large hoop house and free range them in the evenings. For your last question, I'm really not sure, it depends on the birds, I think it would help though If you got her some companions. If they are kept together for a few weeks they will most likely bound and stick together. Hope this helps!
Diva is very cute by the way!

 

[untamed_spirit]

Thanks for your reply. Do your d'uccles feet feathers create problems long term or they learn to live with it? I might build her a multi branch tree so she can enjoy her flying from level to level, she out of all of them likes to fly the most!
She is very cute isnt she! Her little cackle brightens my days in the morning!

Ellie

 

[mymilliefleur]

Thanks for your reply. Do your d'uccles feet feathers create problems long term or they learn to live with it? I might build her a multi branch tree so she can enjoy her flying from level to level, she out of all of them likes to fly the most!
She is very cute isnt she! Her little cackle brightens my days in the morning!

Ellie

Sorry I didn't respond right away. Actually my duccles don't seem to mind their feathered feet, the only time they have a problem is when there is a few inches of snow on the ground, or if the grass is super long.