D'uccle Thread

[KoriSAF]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask this this question, but what how anyone with show D'uccle's house them? I have seen some pics of people with them in out door coops, and some with them in the 24''x24'' rabbit cages. I was thinking of building a few of the triangular shaped coops so I could move them around, and my D'uccle's would have access to the ground/grssc/ect. But I would love and appreciate some help, and opinions. Thanks!

 

[Peeps4me]

silkie/d'uccle mix

Along with d'Uccle chicks, I hatched out several Silkie/d'Uccle mixed chicks three weeks ago. Their feathering is much darker than my Mille Fleur chicks so I am anxious to see how they turn out. Very cute so far.

 

[ChKnLuvRs]

Gorgeous porcelain's! Where are you located?

 

[ChKnLuvRs]

Bonnie & Clyde my Mille fleur's

 

[Stewzoo]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask this this question, but what how anyone with show D'uccle's house them? I have seen some pics of people with them in out door coops, and some with them in the 24''x24'' rabbit cages. I was thinking of building a few of the triangular shaped coops so I could move them around, and my D'uccle's would have access to the ground/grssc/ect. But I would love and appreciate some help, and opinions. Thanks!

I have them in a coop with an attached 12 x 12 pen. I keep the coop lined with about 6 inches of pine shavings year round. The pen area I add in a lot of grass clippings, leaves and other soft compostable materials. We show in August and the judge complimented us on how great their feet plumage looked. I guess this works well for me!

 

[animalsRawesome]

Quote: How many birds do you have in this set-up? About how big is your coop? Do you add the grass clippings to keep it from getting muddy? About how often would you say you add grass and leaves?
Thanks!

 

[Stewzoo]

My coop itself is 4x6 feet. I took out the perches as they weren't using them anyways. I have nesting boxes low enough for them to hop into inside. As far as birds, the number fluctuates as I grow out some of the juveniles in here, but the number of adults remains at about 3-4 roo's and 4-6 hens. This coop/pen set up is strictly for breeders and show birds (with the exception of juveniles). If the juveniles do not pan out for show quality, they move to the big coop and get to free range. As I retire some of the show birds, they move out as well.

I add leaves in the fall (I didn't this year though and instead added a 1/4 yard of sand). I add the grass clippings after we mow, usually once a week. This summer was less with the drought. I added the sand this year to give them a dust bath area. It takes up about 3 square feet in the 12 x 12 enclosure. The chickens love the grass and leaves. It gives them something to do and is gentle on their feathers. I used to keep a straw base but that would shred the feathers as they tried to navigate it.

 

[animalsRawesome]

Alright. Thanks!

 

[Stewzoo]

Here is my coop set up. The smaller one on the right is for the show birds. The pen attached to it can be open and extended to the pen behind in summer so they have more room to play while the free rangers from the large coop are out playing. In winter, I can separate the pens so that each coop has a 12 x 12 pen to go with it.

 

[animalsRawesome]

Oh, sweet! Thanks for the pic!

P.S. I love the rooster weather-vane!