D'uccle Thread

[fuzzybutt love]

Question: I had a mixed flock of easter eggers and a pair of porcelain d'uccles with a porcelain booted bantam. They have always gotten along together, and believe it or not the booted bantam girl actually rules over my EE hens! However this week my EE rooster decided that he didn't want the little d'uccle roo anymore and he beat him up. Comb scabbed a bit and a small break on each side of the base, like a cut mark from being pinched. Balded back head. So the little guy is separated right now, which i had planned on doing anyway when spring made the boys testy. Problem is that now his sis and adopted mom will not tolerate his company anymore, and will visciously attack the back of his head when he comes near. This is a huge problem since i had planned on the booted girl being the one to breed him with! (i wouldn't hatch any of his sister's eggs)

So is this common with this breed, and will removing all of the d'uccles completely to a new coop resolve it, or are they not going to accept him as their rooster? For now i put a couple of my meekest and shyest EE pullets in there for him to "boss" since he ducks and runs from everyone else I can't stand to see my little man's pride damaged so badly by being alone.

 

[Lorilyn Farms]

They are probably just feeling their oats, even though some have drawn blood. It will usually solve itself after they fix the new leadership. i know it's hard to watch, but they usually heal quickly, with a little help from the humans. If you separate them, they will find the new leadership without him, then he'll be nowhere in the line. It's up to you. I let them scrabble about for a bit but if one is just a mean ol' bully and I don't need him, I'll list him on craigslist. usually, the only time I separate them is if I want to keep a certain breeding line clean from interference. My brooder babies are out in the sun today and one little roo is beating up all the others. other than a thunk on the head to him sometimes, it's just a they have to go through twice a year (it seems). Then they all play nice and share everybodys best friends.
This is just what i do, there will be other solutions from others, I'm sure. You'll find one that best fits your circumstance!

 

[Phoenix Farms]

I have a little bantam roo that our other roosters did the same to him. We moved him and his girl and put two more lonely bantam hens in the pen with him. They have all became a happy little flock once the hens got their pecking order out of the way. But I can't ever move him back because they would kill him and the hens.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I would let it work itself out in a heartbeat, since I am sure the other rooster's intent was to submit not to kill. (But keep in mind the other roo is a full grown EE roo, twice his size!) His cage is in the main coop, so they aren't separate completely, and when i am there i let them out together with little incident except chase and run.

My fear is more for my little man's appearance, since i am wondering if he's show quality. I'm sure i won't be able to show him now this year though I am fortunate his comb looks OK still.

Here's his pic again, is he show or not? I still adore him either way, but if he's show i have to be more careful! (these were before the incident)
He's just turned a year old

 

[Lorilyn Farms]

I'm never sure how to count those comb points, but I think he looks great for show. Just grow all those foot feathers and take him! You're right, if you are considering show, then he does get the special treatment, which means, unfortunately, no free ranging because that breaks those foot feathers, and separation to prevent squabble pecks on the comb.

 

[gillyfleur]

Here is Albain, my porcelain d'Uccle cockerel (he is 8 months old) who was hatched by completely removing him from his egg that he was stuck in (thank you BYC, fowlweatherfriends and silkiechicken) and seeing the gorgeous roo he has become, boy am I glad I did. Since he was hand raised, he is very sweet and personable. He is a bit muddy in this photo, but handsome nonetheless.
I originally posted this picture on the "Show off your Roosters" contest and was encouraged to post here also. He is from my own stock, and they are from a breeder in Northern California. I'm hoping to show him this summer.
Cheers, Gillyfleur

 

[Lorilyn Farms]

Cheers on joining our D'uccle group! He is indeed splendid. And welcome from another Oregonian!

 

[gillyfleur]

Thanks for the welcome, and your citron d'Uccles are glorious!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Here is Albain, my porcelain d'Uccle cockerel (he is 8 months old) who was hatched by completely removing him from his egg that he was stuck in (thank you BYC, fowlweatherfriends and silkiechicken) and seeing the gorgeous roo he has become, boy am I glad I did. Since he was hand raised, he is very sweet and personable. He is a bit muddy in this photo, but handsome nonetheless.
I originally posted this picture on the "Show off your Roosters" contest and was encouraged to post here also. He is from my own stock, and they are from a breeder in Northern California. I'm hoping to show him this summer.
Cheers, Gillyfleur

Who did you buy from? I think I bought from the same person.

 

[gillyfleur]

Who did you buy from? I think I bought from the same person.

I bought his parents from a breeder in Sacramento who was "trying out" d'Uccles to see if she liked them. She normally breeds Silkies and Showgirls. She got her original stock as hatching eggs from Gabbard Farms.