Mille Fleur d'Uccle info needed please!

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I saw these gorgeous birds at the fair last weekend and couldn't stop staring! In case I can't help myself at the fair tomorrow or next weekend, can someone please share their experiences with this breed? Would I need to keep them caged or will they fly away? I read they are not very cold tolerant, but how cold can they handle? Are they really as gentle as what I've read? Sorry for all the q's but my interest is piqued!

 

[shelleyd2008]

They are the sweetest little birds you'll ever have! We have one hen that I call my son's "girlfriend", she is constantly following him around the yard while he is finding her worms. The roos can be a bit cantankerous, but they are only like 6-8 inches tall, so easy to put in their places. Get them, you won't regret it!! They are not flighty at all.

ETA: Mine lived in a plastic-covered tractor last winter and didn't have any problems.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Thanks Shelley! My other birds roam the yard during the day and I have a 6 ft fence. I'm concerned about them flying out? I had bantams before and given a chance, they preferred the trees. I'm hesitant to get birds that have to live in a cage, although I could understand it during the winter.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine are all free range, but they don't seem like they prefer flying too much. They don't roost as high as the other birds either. They are now roaming in the yard, 1 still sleeps in the tractor (roost is like 18") another sleeps on top of the rabbit cage (about 4 1/2') and the other is broody on the floor. The babies that have been hatched by other birds take a good 2-3 months before being able to join their 'mamas' in the 9' rafters. So I would say you probably have nothing to worry about. I have a lot of bantams, and none of them have ever slept in the trees. I guess I'm just lucky, though they would have to fly pretty high to get into the trees!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I appreciate the info. Will have to look at them a little closer then!! Of all the bantams I've seen, I think these are the most beautiful.

OH NO - another addiction!

 

[Megs]

my MF d'uccles werent raised as 'pets' so arent super friendly (as in i cant pick them up without a bit of a chase, but they are fince once i have them in my hands, no biting or agression at all), in their coop they perch about 5' off the ground, they live in an enclose run though they dont see very flighty (not like my sebrights!) they are gorgous little birds, i like them so much i am planning a second breeding pen of them

 

[tiki244]

The male has a large comb, so they need to be in housing that doesnt freeze through the winter. My Mille D Uccles are a bit skittish, but very sweet if I spend a little time with them, even coming by name when I call them. And sitting on my lap. Yes very gentle. They do like to fly, but as chickens, stay close to the coop and come in at night, especially if they are used to you.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Oh...might not work then because although my coop is in the garage, it still gets below freezing. My BO roo suffered some frostbite to his comb last winter so if MF's aren't nearly that hardy...I'm afraid...

Shelley, you have pretty much the same weather down there that we have, don't you? Wonder if Vaseline would help. Didn't know about it in time last winter

 

[shelleyd2008]

It should. We don't get too cold here, but I had some frostbitten roos last winter. But the d'uccles (in their covered tractor) didn't have this problem. As long as it's air tight they should be fine, but vaseline wouldn't hurt.

Usually they are all right if the 'coop' doesn't have any drafts. You could always put a heat light in there.

 

[chickygirl2]

We have some and they are super friendly. The hens and sometimes the roo perch on my leg and talk about their day : )
I lost a few in the winter when the temps dropped. I now have them in a more protected pen on the side of the barn- really more draft protected than anything. They are very tiny- smaller than all my bantam cochins and japanese bantams. I was surprised by the size- expected they would be bigger.....