D'uccle Thread

[PeepSqueak]

Ok, so a day after getting Celeste, she gave me my very first egg. After showing it off to my friend comparing the size with one of my last ever store bought eggs what do I do??? Dropped it on the floor :S oh well....the dogs had a nice treat, lol. I did not find an egg this morning but hopefully there will be one tomorrow.

 

[FairLeaBantams]

They are FULL d'Uccles. The father won BV at Ohio National poultry show and the mother one RV at the same show. All my d'Uccles are full breed. Last year I had a Marans get in the pen and I never tried to pass them as full breed, I sold them at an auction and sold some to people that just wanted pets. That was my milles and not the mottled. I may sound a little snippy, but I take offense when someone questions my birds I would never sell try to pass off a mix as a full breed.

I'm confused! I was talking about MaggieMo's chicks that she wasn't sure about. I didn't mean to upset anyone

 

[NateinFL]

Who were the judges? Were these APA or ABA shows?
Judges aren't always familiar with d'Uccles, so you can't always base your keep/ let go decision on a judges input.
I show mine at at several shows in multiple states with multiple judges. I track results according to the numbered leg bands on my show birds to compare different results.
Another thing to keep in mind: Every molt can produce a significant change. I have a hen right now that lost every show as a pullet but does quite well as a hen. Some breeders say she's the better bird to breed, because the pullets that win may not keep their show qualities as they age.
That's why I keep a mix of hens and pullets as breeders. And why I regret every sale of a quality young bird, because it could be a PERFECT show bird in a year. But I don't have enough room to keep everyone <sigh>

Not quite sure on APA or ABA...it was the Florida State Fair that's all I know. I just wished they would have taken a second to write why he placed last...I compared him to the SOP book that I have and he fitted everything where some others had BAD faults. I had to work otherwise I would have gone to the judge's "Q&A session". I hear you on not keeping every bird! I want just 3 roosters and 8 hens...right now I have a bit more than that but I'm working on it...

 

[mstricer]

Quote: My bad sorry about that. I didn't see the name and it can right after Ashenfire posted

 

[FairLeaBantams]

No problem, I'd be defensive too if someone was questioning my birds lineage!

 

[ChooksChick]

So, I'm positing a message I'll be putting on other threads, too- it's really hard to post this, but I'm just stretched toooooo thin, and it has to happen for a bit. I'll be keeping my favorite hens in my backyard, but the breeding projects have to go.

It's tough, but temporary.

My job has whipped me up and down the block for the last year or so, and that's in addition to having relatives here, being a caregiver, and home-schooling teen daughters. I'm strung out.

I have to liquidate. I've said it before, but this is really it. I have to get rid of everything that isn't legal within city limits, because the farm outside town at which I have my breeding facility is also closing down. I have a deadline now.

So: I'm listing in BYC threads initially because so many of you are like-minded and I'd love some of my projects to go on...I'd like to get back into them eventually! I mean, these kids will be going off to college, and perhaps someday I'll have my own farm! Having a farm on someone else's property kinda stinks, really...I'd like to be able to go outside to care for all of my birds...not have to get in the car!

Anyway...

I have a flock of banty Cochins, which were moving toward Chocolate. I have a Blue hen, a Mottled trio, a Chocolate pullet, three black cockerels split to Chocolate, and a Black trio.

I have a flock of d'Uccles that were moving toward Chocolate: 5 Chocolate pullets, a split cockerel, a Black Copper roo, a 6 pack of Isabel chicks and lots of Black and Chocolate chicks. This is sex-linked Choc and I'm 2 generations in. They are still too round but look like d'Uccles.

I have a flock of Marans: a trio of FBCM, 2 Chocolate Copper pullets, a Black roo, a Blue hen, a Splash hen...and tons of chicks, many of them split to or fully Chocolate.

I have a flock of Silkies: 3 Black hens, a Blue roo, a Splash hen, and a White hen. Tons of varied chicks.

The Konzas. Here my heart breaks. I have 5 roos and 10 pullets and a bunch of chicks. They are magnificent. I may just try to keep them locally somewhere if someone around here will foster the project for a bit. They are everything I wanted them to be.

I have a Chocolate Rock project, but need to inventory them...

I also have a trio of Bourbon Reds, a pair of Royal Palms, and 4 or 6 poults of varied lineage.

*sigh*

Message me if you're interested. I will ship.

 

[artsyrobin]

what a heartbreak! But i can relate- will pass it on

 

[artsyrobin]

i just set 6 millie duccle eggs, lost my only girl a few months back- she was so special- had to get a few more, this is Nimi

 

[mstricer]

Nimi has a beautiful beard. Sorry about yor Mille, good luck with your hatch

 

[EggShells2013]

Nimi is sooo cute