D'uccle Thread

[Lorilyn Farms]

Have you guys/girls found that boys are born in the fall and girls in the spring? I'm getting nothing but roos....

 

[Sparky2133]

At least you can HAVE roosters

 

[Stewzoo]

Hello everyone! Our shipment of baby MF D'U came this week (34 plus 2 extra!). Every member of our 4H group gets 4, and in May we will have a chicken show with one class just for our MF to see who rasied the "Best of Breed". We will be learning a lot about breed standards, how to care and raise chickens, and how to prepare and show chickens for competition. I know they will probably not be truly "show quality" on a national level, however, I'm sure they will make wonderful pets for our group. They were shipped from Ideal. Has anyone had any good luck with actually having a true show quality bird from Ideal? Also, can anyone tell by the markings on the chicks which one will mature into better colors? Some have stripes, some are more gray, and some are more tan. They all have the feathering on the middle toe that I've been reading about on this forum, and some already have little beards puffing out. We have one that is so very tiny but very lively and spry. Otherwise, they seem to all be about the same size. Any tips of determining which might be prettier birds based on what you have hatched in the past? Suspense is killing me, and I just have to be patient!

Here's some of the babies!

I had a large order from Ideal this past spring. All of my Millies were too light and about 1/2 of them did not have spots. I also ended up with one "quail" pattern. She is quite lovely. It was a disappointment though, as they did not do well in the show ring. But, my son had fun and learned a lot. We sold them all off as pet quality and will try again.

 

[jennyworley35]

Look right above the MFD'U

 

[wegotchickens]

Thanks Wegotchix... was hoping that the ones with combs were indicators at 3-4 weeks, but I guess I prefer more hens too! So I will wait as paitently as I can... which is not so patient.

We got our addition attached and now need to convince my broody to spend more time with these chicks rather than wandering around with them trailing her... otherwise they are going in my garage in a dog kennel and boy will my DH not be happy about that...

Being patient is not my strength, but it's a requirement when raising birds. Even when you're sure you know who the boys are, someone will trick you. I've had pullets that got a touch of early red in their comb, and had cockerals that never showed a bit of red until they were over 2 months old. Even when you think you know, they love to prove you wrong!

My DH doesn't like birds in the garage, either. I perpetually disappoint/stress him. I even take chicks from broodies. I've had too many decide they're ready to get on the roost, and leave cold chicks crying on the floor. No fun to walk into the coop and find chick-cicles on the floor
Plus, I think the babies are tamer if I raise them instead of a hen.

 

[mstricer]

Have you guys/girls found that boys are born in the fall and girls in the spring? I'm getting nothing but roos....

We will see. That was true of my spring hatches. I got 4 girls and 2 boys. (lost a few others to predators) But it does seem that way. I got a lot of Olive egg girls this spring also. I only ended up with 3 boys in the Olive egger and about 10 plus girls (I sold a lot). I have both in the incubator right now. I wonder if more boys are born in the fall for spring breeding. I'm pretty sure my spring d'Uccles will be laying next month. I will for sure be hatching a lot of them. Winter hobby, and they are so small they can stay in smaller brooders longer.

 

[JulieNKC]

ummm i only see 2 porcelain pullets and a cockerel in the first pic

All I saw was a pair. I had to look and look and look to see the little hiding pullet, lol.

Here's my one remaining little d'Uccle (darned predators!) crowing his heart out. His name is Sharpy. He's the sweetest little thing, as were the little girlies who were taken by various predators (raven, fox...). My daughter and I are scheming to get some hatching eggs in the spring. =)

What a neat pic!

 

[BlueCamas]

ummm i only see 2 porcelain pullets and a cockerel in the first pic

No worries, Queenie (named that because her comb is so big) is over a year, laying and definitely a lady

Her comb may be deceiving, but she was just raised in warm conditions so her comb grew to accommodate the heat.
See? All woman!

 

[JulieNKC]

No worries, Queenie (named that because her comb is so big) is over a year, laying and definitely a lady

Her comb may be deceiving, but she was just raised in warm conditions so her comb grew to accommodate the heat.
See? All woman!

Pretty girl. I think it was just the pic, lol. With the mille in front the porcelains looked so little I didn't think there's any way they could be full grown hens, lol.

 

[hdowden]

Pretty girl. I think it was just the pic, lol. With the mille in front the porcelains looked so little I didn't think there's any way they could be full grown hens, lol.

lol the porcelains do look like babies