D'uccle Thread

[wegotchickens]

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it IS a lavander (self blue) from Ideal. I have 4 others who are feathering in nicely, this one? Nothing.

You can try giving that one a little extra protein to encourage feather growth. Some scrambled eggs away from the rest of the flock so you know he eats it.
But otherwise all you can do is keep an eye on it and remember that it may need the brooder/light a little longer than the chicks his age.

 

[wegotchickens]

My NPIP letter came in the mail yesterday. No more pre-show testing for my little darlings!

 

[spook]

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Gooood for you!!!!!!!

 

[GypsyChic]

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Ahhhhhhhhhh, BIG Congrats

 

[speckledhen]

Congrats, Lori!


My D'Uccles keep picking up their feet and picking at them. I think their feathers are bothering them. I picked up Lizzie to check her feet and felt what I thought was a claw, but it's a feather, hard and thin and curved and sharp! It's just like a claw, but is definitely a feather. Have you guys seen this before?

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
Thanks!

Those feather feet require a lot of maintenance. Its not uncommon during wet periods for little clay balls to form around their toes and feathers.

Some, rarely, have a problem where their feathers grow inward rather than outward, so that the little darlings step on them all the time. It's not a problem when they're small and light but becomes an issue when they grow because they break blood feathers and can easily get an infection or even bleed out. I put down the only chick I had that developed this problem because it was so obvious she was in pain.

And broken feather shafts can feel sharp and pokey.

I'm sure you've had your share of rain lately, so it could be they're picking mud off their feet?

 

[speckledhen]

Their feet are clean, Lori. Their pen isn't muddy, drains very well, and they aren't even let out when it's raining. No mud balls, nothing, just feathers. I really am not a fan of feathered feet/legs in general. None of mine have that much feathering. The two Brahmas don't have that much and the banty Cochin's are soft, not like the D'Uccles. This type of feathering is new to me.

 

[wegotchickens]

d'Uccle foot feathers are truly feathers and not foot fluff.
Wait'll you see them lolloping around the yard when their little feet are fully mature!

I'll bet those feet itch while those feathers are coming it!!

 

[speckledhen]

I bet they do itch! Seems like they are bothering them a bit right now as they feather out more fully.

 

[wegotchickens]

On my roosters the feathers stick out as far as the width of the widest part of my hand. The hens don't have quite so much length.