D'uccle Thread

[Yeagin1]

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We need more people to join that wants to be active in the club. That site hasn't changed in years and that's why I haven't joined it. I'm sure that's why others haven't to. It needs a forum where we can go to learn and discuss the d'Uccle and Booted like we're doing on here.
I think there may be less Booted than the d'Uccle.

I'm willing to help anyway I can....so I guess I had better join it..

Sandy

 

[luvchicks8]

I went to a swap today and bought at baby mille fleur chick

 

[Yeagin1]

I've just bought Bootsy, a 6 mo old cockerel. Being inexperienced I with birds this age, I would like the opinions of the more experienced breeders. Yeah, he's cute and I know it's hard to tell from a photo but I would like some honest opinions.
To my untrained eye he looks very promising but would you use him for breeding? He has extensive foot feathering, well developed hock feathers and beard.

Thanks,
Sandy

 

[Yeagin1]

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Big mistake....cause you're gonna want more!!!!

We wanna see pictures..

Sandy

 

[TK Poultry]

I'm no expierenced breeder by no means but if I were looking for a rooster I would want a short back, good foot feathers, nice full beard with little to no wattles showing, and a nice comb with half way symetric points.

thats what I would be looking for....he has good foot feathering, he looks a little lacking in the beard department, I would like to see a shorter back, but I like his comb. It's too hard to tell until they fully get their mille fleur color in and mature though.

 

[luvchicks8]

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Big mistake....cause you're gonna want more!!!!

We wanna see pictures..

Sandy

Hope it is a girl

 

[Yeagin1]

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Hi Greencastle... Thanks I really appreciate the information. I've read and reread the standard but I find it hard applying it to young birds that are still growing. I just don't have the experience with young ones to even guess how one this young would look when mature.
Does his back look too long for his age or will that change some as he matures? It's hard to see in these pics but he does have a beard...but how much beard should he be showing at 6 months? I'll try and get some better pics of his beard.
These are the things that I'll eventually learn with experience but I'd rather not make any big mistakes getting there, so any and all advise is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Sandy

 

[Yeagin1]

Quote:
Big mistake....cause you're gonna want more!!!!

We wanna see pictures..

Sandy

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/35748_chickensducks_112.jpg
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/35748_chickensducks_114.jpg
Hope it is a girl

Yep, sounds like you're hooked!!

They're so darn cute and you're gonna love them. That's one cute chick but I have no idea as to the sex. Hope it's a girl but roos are nice too. They're very easy to spoil...mine expect apples, oranges or bananas every day.

Sandy

 

[TK Poultry]

Quote:
Hi Greencastle... Thanks I really appreciate the information. I've read and reread the standard but I find it hard applying it to young birds that are still growing. I just don't have the experience with young ones to even guess how one this young would look when mature.
Does his back look too long for his age or will that change some as he matures? It's hard to see in these pics but he does have a beard...but how much beard should he be showing at 6 months? I'll try and get some better pics of his beard.
These are the things that I'll eventually learn with experience but I'd rather not make any big mistakes getting there, so any and all advise is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Sandy

It's really hard to tell when they are young like that. My opinion...I would hang on to him until his pattern comes in. You will be able to see him with all of his flaws then. You will be able to cull better then. It's really hard to make decisions with patterned birds when they are young especially with the mottling gene because the mottling becomes more pronounced with every molt. I personally think he might be a little long in the back but I just got into d'uccles myself and know probably as much as you do. So you could call this novice to novice talk, and I don't deal with the mille pattern at all. I only plan on breeding the mottleds. I hope I helped if nothing else you have another view on the subject.

 

[wegotchickens]

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I think it would be easier to guess at show quality if he were in a relaxed pose and not on alert. When his neck efathers in and he gets that 'bullneck' look, and is strutting more than standing guard, he will be a fine looking roo.
His wattles are spot on, but I hope he grows into his comb a bit more.... Which thickening of his neck will put that in proportion, too.