D'uccle vs Silkie?

[chickenchick98]

who's more broody
who's more docile
who's more tolerant of heat and cold
who's more tolerant with other animals
price
who's good better for show

 

[Michael OShay]

I've had both Silkies and D'uccles in the past and while they are both wonderful bantam breeds, I would give the Silkies a slight edge based on your criteria as follows:

Who's more broody: I would give Silkies a slight edge. Both breeds are very broody, but Silkies are probably unmatched when it comes to broodiness. Sometimes they will spend weeks just trying to incubate a golf ball. )

Who's more docile: Again I would give the edge to the Silkies. While both breeds are very friendly and gentle, Silkies are natural lap pets. They have perhaps the best disposition in the chickens world being sweet and even affectionate.

Who's more tolerant of heat and cold: I would call this category a draw. Both breeds are fairly heat and cold tolerant but can't match the best of the standard breeds in either of these extremes.

Who's more tolerant with other animals: This one I cannot give an opinion on as I never raised either breed with any animals except other chickens.

Price: I would call this one even. The least expensive birds come from hatcheries such as Murray McMurray or Ideal Poultry, both of which charge the same price for their Silkies and D'uccles.

Who's good better for show: Both breeds are good for show if they meet APA standards, however this is the one category I would give a slight edge to the D'uccles on. The only breed I ever had take first place in a poultry show was a pair of Mille Fleur D'uccles at the Hunt County fair in 1979. In general it seemed that Silkies were more often disqualified for flaws and Mille Fleur D'uccles in particular seemed to win best of breed more than any other entries.

I hope this helps. Whichever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.