D'uccle Thread

[mstricer]

Quote:
In comparing my breeder stock, my stock from Ugly Duckly had very crisp markings in terms of the white tipped Mille fleur porcelain pattern, whereas the hatchery stock I kept had skinnier necks, and not as crisp or even color patterning. The hatchery stock did have good foot feathering, or at least I kept the ones with better feathering. The hatchery hens had fair beards in the porcelain but excellent beards in the Mille fleur pattern ( comparing Ugly Duckly stock to Ideal). The roosters I kept from Ugly Duckly had much better combs , with the right number of points, and nice tiny wattles. One did have a wattle that was bigger on one side than the other. I am really downsizing my number of porcelains now that I have quantity and are trying to focus on quality in a smaller group. I just sold two hens and gave some cockerels to a gentleman who is really enjoying how friendly they are.

Here are what your babies look like now. I only have 4 out of the seven that hatch. Dang COONS. They are alittle over 14 weeks now. 3 boys, 1 Mille. 1 girl.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/22834_037.jpg
its not the greatest of pics, but only two are photogenic, can you guess? I have more pics of them.
Michele

Teddiliza here are two more shots of them I figured out that my flash was off so I got not so good shots but anyways here they are. Trying to get good shots of the girl, I don't know why, but mine aren't friendly. Still trying to figure out how too do that. Do you guys like hold them for hours at a time?

So what do you think of them.
Michele

 

[tofumama]

I am pretty new to the d'Uccle world but I will say that it seems some are super sweet as you would expect, and some are not. We hand raise all our d'Uccles and my Milles are somewhat skittish now, but my porcelains will run ful throttle at us when we come out to their area, follow us around the yard and if you sit down...watch out! They are all over us wanting to snuggle, sit on your shoulder, etc. You can walk right up and pick any one of them up. The Milles? Not so much. If you can catch one, they are ok when you hold them, but they go beserk when you try to get one. They weren't always like that, but now they are

...ah, well.

 

[NateinFL]

Quote:
I think that people are quick to overrate their cuddliness, sweetness, etc. None of my adults have ever snuggled with me, sat on my shoulder, etc. They're just like any other chicken, they come running for food but that's about it. And if they're out in the backyard and they know you're trying to catch them and they don't want to be caught...good luck. The babies are seem calmer than most breeds but in my experience the adult behavior is like that of any other breed...they want their space.

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Mine were raised in an attached garage where I was always able to talk to them numerous times a day, passing in and out of the house. Still they won't just come up to me. But now, I got this very expensive bribing treat

It has pumpkin seeds and dried pulp, millet seed, small sunflower seeds. I have pumpkins growing for this reason it is expensive to buy that stuff so I shall make my own.
Michele

 

[Cetawin]

I dunno all of mine are sweet cuddly even the babies. Mille porcelain projects and lavender.

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:
I think that people are quick to overrate their cuddliness, sweetness, etc. None of my adults have ever snuggled with me, sat on my shoulder, etc. They're just like any other chicken, they come running for food but that's about it. And if they're out in the backyard and they know you're trying to catch them and they don't want to be caught...good luck. The babies are seem calmer than most breeds but in my experience the adult behavior is like that of any other breed...they want their space.

I agree Nate, I've had some d'Uccle that were meaner than snakes, but I also have a couple of hens that I would swear liked being held and cuddled. They don't take food from me, mostly because I don't offer it, but when I enter the run they stand on the edge of sill in front of the coop and kind of pace - sideways - looking at me and I can almost hear them begging to be picked up. When I pick them up, they settle down in my arms, thinking I'm going to hold them for a long time. I try to give them what they want, but I think if I didn't put them down, they would stay indefinitely. They are so endearing.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

my first d'uccle was a sweetheart! she used to come running but i think that was to get away from the boys and bigger birds in the coop with her. my second girl was sweet too and would follow me around the garden but i lost her when she was a few months old. the 3rd i had was so skittish i sold her off with one of the sweet cockerels i had purchased as a chick. he was skittish when he was younger and then he seemed to have turned around and would come running to me to see what treats i had once he got used to me always being there with them just for him!

my latest boy started out the same way, skittish and didn't like to be handled. still occasionally will try to nip me if i don't show him my rings first when i try to pick him up. he also doesn't like me standing over him so he usually flies up to my level on the roost if there is a spot for him to do it! he's usually very calm after i pick him up and put him on my lap. lets me stroke his beard and muff or give a scratch under his neck feathers. this boy will be a year old in October so he has grown out of most of his skittish behavior. i'm just afraid that once he gets his own girls he may turn around with his behavior and try to protect them from me!

 

[NateinFL]

http://pets.webshots.com/video/3053468450045668115qIhwUx

How mille fleurs get auctioned off...

 

[painterpeach]

can feathers on feet and or legs be safely trimmed? our lil boy has to work so hard to walk around. nothing wrong with him but we would like to make it easier on him. thanks for any advice.

 

[painterpeach]

oh yeah, i guess i forgot to put that he is a 6month old duccle, just trying to help out my lil buddy! lol!