D'uccle Thread

[spook]

Chicks are always picking at their foot feathers around here, poop and they are cleaning off the cover of the feather that grows. I did notice that I had a number, 6 chicks or so that had a toe curled under their "sole " of their foot and course feathers that grew around some feet. I gave these guys away to pet homes and was told that it was the incubator. Not sure how that is, but its odd that so many other chicks never had a issue, so I'd assume it was incubator related. I was worried for a while.
Sometimes they can have fleas or mites after their toes and feet too. Good luck!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

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

How would you rate them from Idea? Im thinking of ordering some.

 

[NateinFL]

Quote:
That's awesome! That reminds me I need to call the local testing person again, they said weeks ago that it would be after the Florida State Fair and the Strawberry Festival, both of which have been over for a while. Wonder how may people actually get denied NPIP? Don't hear too many people mentioning that on here lol.

 

[NateinFL]

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

How would you rate them from Idea? Im thinking of ordering some.

Hatchery birds are generally not recommended, particularly if you are looking for show stock, and most people with d'uccles want them to be show quality, they certainly aren't bred for their eggs or meat like a Rhode Island, etc. When I very first started with d'uccles, I ordered a group of 10 mille fleurs from Ideal, and two hens came out surprisingly well, the others I practically gave away on Craigslist after getting ahold of some from a private breeder that looked way better. The grown-up roosters in no way whatsoever were even close to what the picture showed! Hope that helps you in your decision-making

.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

The D'uccles from Ideal were not my idea, I had already ordered birds the week before, but had forgotten to order the 2 roos I wanted to go with my 12 pullets (Brahmas) and so I was surprised by my mom who added 10 d'uccles to the order instead of the other breed she was supposed to be ordering. lol.

At this age its hard to tell how good or bad they are, but I have a porcelain, a millie, and a lavander pullet that all have great looking feet, toes, and feathering so far. I have 2 millies and 2 porcelains that are off my own birds that these hatchery birds are keeping up with so far.

There are other chicks in the bunch that are slow to feather, 1 that was definately a mutt, and 1 millie that is covered @ 4 weeks in black on the tail and saddle coming in, which will mean it will have a high factor of black which I do not like in millies.

Honestly, if you are looking to breed and not just pets get you a cheap bator and get some eggs from someone on here, many great breeders on here. My next bunch of D'uccles are going to come from probably two different breeders on BYC.

 

[NateinFL]

Quote:
You'd be surprised, that black will go away, some of mine have a lot of black in the face for some reason when they are young but it seems they outgrow it. They change their appearance almost weekly when they are going through their growth stages. I was told that it is the white feathering you should be concerned about when they're that young.

 

[teddiliza]

Well, I got all 17 of my d'uccle chicks vaccinated today with the Marek's vaccine. I'm always surprized at how one is expected to put a needle into such a tiny thing under the skin. I guess all those IV starts at work were good practice for my hobby. I didn't keep too close an eye on my hatch d/t my daughter being sick all week, so I was happy with 17 out of the 21 that made it to lockdown (out of 23 original eggs). One is a blind porcelain chick and has google/bug eyes so I'm wondering if it's a genetic thing or incubator thing, as I did have that day with a temp spike. I've named it 'Hootie' as it looks like a cross between an owl and an alien. I don't think Hootie is going to make it though, as 'he' doesn't have a strong pecking reflex or desire to drink when I put his beak in the feeder or dip it in water. If he pulls through, I'll definitely find a place for him as a pet chicken.

 

[HatchingFever]

Hey guys how rare are black and white d uckles and how much would you pay for some from show stock?

 

[teddiliza]

I'm not sure on the answer to your last question, but I didn't see any black or white d'uccles in the 2 Missouri Shows I attended last year. -- D'uccles don't seem to be as popular as bantam Cochins, Brahmas, Old English, or Silkies at the shows here.

 

[Carolynspeeps]

I have seen some black mottled as well as white D's here in GA. Not too many solid blacks.