D'uccle Thread

[Patches The Hen]

Hi,
I was wondering if D'Uccle's do good in winter and in the snow? I've gotten mixed results from several different hatcheries. I thought I'd ask people who actually own and take care of them year round. I need to know if I need to take extra precautions before the snow hits.

Thank you!

 

[RedBugPoultry]

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For pete's sake! They look so much alike, I would swear they were the same bird. THAT is a hard decision.
Personally I would go with the first one. I do not show, however, so it is purely from a breeder's perspective. I do know MF coloring as I have been studying it for a few years and though I am no where near being an expert, I think your first one has a lot of promise. Well, actually, neither one is a loser but I think that first one just is a smidgin better because of his pattern. And he shows no wattles like your second one does.

Bundle is probably worth showing. I can't see his pattern on his chest but he looks very nice from the side and he doesn't have wattles.

Make sure you read the standard and then look at your bird. Try drawing a profile photo of what the standard asks for, paying attention to details such as the feathering on the muffs and the direction they are supposed to lie, the top line as opposed to the Booted Bantam and most important (what I have noticed at shows) is the pattern and color in the variety that they are entered under.
You may not be an artist but you are the one the photo is supposed to help, not someone else. I make notations the whole time I am drawing as that helps me to visualize what I am working towards.

In the MF pattern you want every feather to have that white tip, black chevron with the rest of the feather being light orange vermillion.
This was a photo of a feather I found molted off one of my MF project Cochins that I am working on. I took the photo so I would see what I need to improve on. It helps to keep me focused....er, as best as my feeble mind can do so.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/9332_schm_son_feathering.jpg

Amy, I just read this and it is wonderful advice! I can see where it will help me with my OEGB also.

 

[Uriel]

breeding advice appreciated! I'm only in my 5th month of chicky ownership, so feel free to let me know any faults or good points about the birds.

McChuckins- he started crowing first out of the 5 breeds of roosters I have! and it is quite the screechy crow! To me the D'uccles only downfall is their grating voices. I love them to pieces anyway.

 

[moodlymoo]

Do you ever trim their feet feathers? Mine are huge and she walks real funny like a penguin lol

 

[wegotchickens]

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I have some BYC/FB friends that have them in Alaska and they do just dadny. They have built-in snowshoes, after all!!

Big thing is keep them in a draft-free enclosure when the temps get really low, and make sure they have regular access to water.

Last winter my bachelor pen was open air, but with a box area they could huddle and roost in that kept the wind off of them. They did just dandy, even on single digit nights (coldest was 7 degrees). I just had to make sure I watered them 2x a day. They were healthier than some of the spoiled birds that had a 20 degree coop on those nights!

 

[wegotchickens]

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I never do. Since those are true feathers you can sometimes cut a 'blood feather' and they'd bleed quite a bit and even be at risk for an infection. I know some people safely trim them but I leave mine be, even on the ones I don't show.

The goofy d'Uccle Shuffle is just another endearing feature of the little clowns!

 

[moodlymoo]

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I never do. Since those are true feathers you can sometimes cut a 'blood feather' and they'd bleed quite a bit and even be at risk for an infection. I know some people safely trim them but I leave mine be, even on the ones I don't show.

The goofy d'Uccle Shuffle is just another endearing feature of the little clowns!

OK thats good to know. I was worried she had a issue if you know what I mean. We only own 1 and she is sweet as can be. She mothers all the lil bantams and chicks when they get moved to the coop.

 

[wegotchickens]

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They look pretty young! Especially the little girls. Looks like you have some good potential there

I love their voices. Except for when I'm trapped in the car, headed to a show, with 15 disgruntled d'Uccles. I think d'Uccles can complain more eloquently than any chicken I've ever owned

 

[Patches The Hen]

Quote:
I have some BYC/FB friends that have them in Alaska and they do just dadny. They have built-in snowshoes, after all!!

Big thing is keep them in a draft-free enclosure when the temps get really low, and make sure they have regular access to water.

Last winter my bachelor pen was open air, but with a box area they could huddle and roost in that kept the wind off of them. They did just dandy, even on single digit nights (coldest was 7 degrees). I just had to make sure I watered them 2x a day. They were healthier than some of the spoiled birds that had a 20 degree coop on those nights!

Okay, that's great! Thank you so much! It gets just around those temperatures here so I'm sure it'll work wonderful. Thank you so much!
Yay! I'm out of the brooder!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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Adorable!!!