D'uccle Thread

[Celtic Hill]

Gypsychic WOW! That's a lot of pens!

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
I bought a white pair at the OH Nationals. The pullet isn't laying yet, but I have big plans for her in the spring!! Will be hatching as many white babes as I can.

After swearing I'd never have a white or barred bird, I have a white showgirls and pair of white d'Uccles.

But no barred birds at all....


Nive set-up, Gypsychic! Haw many birds do you keep in each 5x5 enclosure?
You have a LOT more space than I do. As long as we live in our subdivision I can't have any more pens.
DH says it will be a while before he's willling to move to a mini-farm

 

[GypsyChic]

Quote:
LOL, theres only 8 pens on the east side. Keep in mind I have a few other breeds and of course chicks hatching all the time, so I need the room. Especially for winter time

 

[Celtic Hill]

Quote:
LOL, theres only 8 pens on the east side. Keep in mind I have a few other breeds and of course chicks hatching all the time, so I need the room. Especially for winter time

Yeah, still! cool!

 

[GypsyChic]

Quote:
I bought a white pair at the OH Nationals. The pullet isn't laying yet, but I have big plans for her in the spring!! Will be hatching as many white babes as I can.

After swearing I'd never have a white or barred bird, I have a white showgirls and pair of white d'Uccles.

But no barred birds at all....


Nive set-up, Gypsychic! Haw many birds do you keep in each 5x5 enclosure?
You have a LOT more space than I do. As long as we live in our subdivision I can't have any more pens.
DH says it will be a while before he's willling to move to a mini-farm

Thanks WGC, it serves it's purpose well. In the 5x pens I only keep up to 4 adult bantam birds. Chicks I can keep around 10 in each...depending on size, sometimes 12-15. The west side is the larger pens for birds that I have more than 5 of.

 

[Celtic Hill]

Neat! i don't know if i ever will put up a whole building for birds, big walk-in coops creep me out, all the dust and everything.

 

[spook]

Beautiful bunch of birds! I am down to 2 hens (bummer) and interestingly I have them in a hutch that is 4x8, 2 ft wide x 4ft deep "house" part shavings, insulation in the walls with deep shavings and a 2x4 for a roost. It was originally for bantam Cochin's. I leave the window/door open to the pen part to keep fresh air in their residence as they have a heated water bowl. We do cover the front and the back with a clear plastic, and it has ventilation holes in the house part to the out of doors (approx 1/4" bit).

One thing I have heard about keeping this breed in the cold weather is to make sure they don't reside in a "sealed" draft free pen as the humidity from their breath & droppings can cause respiratory illness. So good air exchange with out a breeze is great for all birds.

One thing I've noticed with my Millies is that they don't care for the "table food" treats such as cottage cheese, yogurt, frozen (thawed) vegetables nor much bread. Although they do like cracked corn. Now my other birds will jump all over each other for treats. Do you folks notice any differences with your feeding and treats ?

I am now looking for a nice rooster to go with my gals, even if its a trio, after the first of the year I'll be on the search. Still a bit sick from the hatch and the eggs (which is my doing), but think that while the sun begins to shine brighter I'll be in a much more daring mood.
(I sincerely thank you guys for allowing me to vent and complain)

Edited so to add picture of hutch.

 

[Celtic Hill]

Spook i really like that set up!

 

[Doug the Chicken Man]

Quote:
Spook - It is always good to hear from you and I always enjoy reading what you have written.

 

[wegotchickens]

Spook, all my d'Uccles dearly love leftovers, bread, and my version of suet. They are pigs about it all!!
Only my new millies, that were barn-raised before now, are leery of 'human' treats. My rooster is teaching them to appreciate hand-outs though.

Mine do love their scratch grains, too!!