D'uccle Thread

[teddiliza]

My earliest layer started at 6 months. The rest, about 7 or 8 months.

Yep, It's a long wait!

 

[lilcrow]

It has been my observation that d'Uccle are late bloomers in the world of egg laying, however I would say your little girl is about ready to gift you with her first egg. If she and the roo are breeding, that's a sure fire indication that an egg may be expected any day. If you are home all the time and with your chickens a lot you may be able to observe her behavior prior to egg laying and you'll know the day she is going to lay. When she is REALLY ready to lay, she will begin her "egg song."
It's probably more an indication of agitation or slight discomfort on the part of the hen, but it is unmistakable and some girls can get pretty loud.

She will usually go into the coop and sometimes the roo will follow her and stay with her. Some of the guys seem very interested in what the girls are doing, some don't. I think maybe my cochin roos are a little more curious this way, now that I think of it.
Anyway, you will notice agitation and you will hear her just before she lays.

 

[shmooborp]

oooo

im so happy that this thread exits. noting makes me happier than little D'uccles

))

i miss my poe

(

not the best picture.

 

[flowerchicks]

Quote:
This is what has been going on for almost 2 weeks now. This last weekend I thought FOR SURE it was gonna be it. She was hanging out by the boxes and kept eyeballing the "one" all the other girls use. Earlier that morning there were 2 chickens in it. I took my BR out cause she had already laid and was stuck behind the RIR, but my D'uccle kept looking and leaning in even though the RIR is soooooooooo mean to her. I thought, she would only be that brave if she was ready to lay. But.. nooooo egg

They all free range in the afternoon, so I hope she isnt laying outside, but her and her roo are very comfy in the coop and frequently go back when the other girls are out in the yard, so I think she will go back to the boxes to lay, but who knows.

 

[lilcrow]

Pick her up and look at her vent. If it loose, she's laying outside someplace. If she's having to do battle for the nest box and is being bullied by other hens and a mean roo, she is most likely going elsewhere - peaceful - to lay. I can't imagine that they have been breeding that long without an egg someplace.

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:
This looks like a VERY pretty lavender d'Uccle.

Wish I could see her better. Do you have a pair or trio or more? or................................ARGH!

You said, "i miss my poe" I hope that doesn't mean she is deceased.

 

[shmooborp]

she died last year while on a brood of eggs and got attacked :'( it was very graphic and hard for me. she was my first egg i ever hatched myself, and my first chicken. she even followed me everywhere when she was a chick. she was covered in ants when i found her it was horrific. i took three of her eggs and put them into the bator they all hatched, but 2 died from a weak birth, the one that lived was a roo that my friend now has. i miss her so much

she would sleep in my arms and pur. thats my only picture of her. but i dont want to be depressing ! that was over a year ago and im better now. i stil miss her, but hopefully i can find another lavender hen or eggs again some day.

 

[lilcrow]

Oh......I'm so sorry. I have my favorite pet chicken and she is a d'Uccle - Millie Fleur. She waits for me to come and pick her up every morning and we have cuddle time. It has taken a while for me to really believe that she was actually waiting for me truly wanted me to pick her up, but I've tried several little "experiments" to see if that was actually what she wanted and so far it has proven to be the case. She stands on edge of balcony of the coop and paces back and forth, calling to me until I come into the run. As soon as I come in she stops pacing and calling and stands there staring at me, leaning forward with her wings just slightly dropped. I pick her up and hold her up to me and scratch her cheeks and chin and she fluffs up her facial feathers.
It's obvious she loves it.

And I love her

I would be devastated if something happened to her like what happened to your little girl, and yet I know it is always such a possibility. I try so hard to make sure that they are safe, but you can never protect them 100% of the time. I guess all we can do is the best we can do.

 

[shmooborp]

awwwwwwww thats so sweet

!

thats what poe use to do too ! she loved cuddles. duccles are very affectionate

 

[becky3086]

Quote:
I absolutely love these!