Thoughts on my MF D'uccles?

[Mary Of Exeter]

Not the best pictures in the world, but I'm anxious to hear some comments on my little trio. I don't believe these are hatchery birds, but I don't know. I just know the person I got them from bred them himself. Doesn't mean his stock birds didn't have hatchery blood in them. Oh well, I think they're gorgeous! I got these three back in the spring.

Rooster:

Hens:

More pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/MaryOfExeter/January17th2010

 

[Bantimna]

I love your hens' looks

Do you plan on showing them?

 

[Apprentice_egger]

I would suggest you get a better cock and try to get the legs and coloring straightened out a bit more if you're going to show. He is the weak link.

 

[leighhancock]

Oh crap...lol. I just bought my first two MFD's. I thought they were roos! If I am correct by comparing to your pictures I have HENS!
Your birds are beautiful!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Thanks

It seems like the roosters are always the ones not up to snuff. I may put the hens in a county fair show just for the heck of it. Definitely wouldn't try anything bigger and more serious just yet

I love these little guys and hope to find some good quality show D'uccles. They come in the most beautiful colors too!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

The thing with millie fluer cockerels of any breed, is they continue to color up til they are 2! You cock looks to be an 09 bird, if so, I wouldnt cull him just yet he has potential if he's still young. They have decent beards, good color, I dont notice any vulturine hocks on any of them though? Could just be young yet, but that would be my biggest concern....

 

[NateinFL]

Yep, what she said. I talked to a very well-respected breeder who has been breeding them for 30 years. You must wait on the cockerel before writing him off. They just keep changing. And I think its true, theres more things that can "be wrong" with a cockerel than a hen. the hen's are easy. Make sure you get a copy of the APA standards as well, that way you know what you are going after. Good luck, they are a very fun breed to work with!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Yep, he'll be a year old later this spring. They do have some vulture hocks, which look to blend in with the wings in the pictures. Little, but there

Where can I find the standard for them?

 

[NateinFL]

I have the american standard of perfection book, hopefully somebody else can post a link to it online.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=standard+of+perfection+poultry&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3587308785&ref=pd_sl_82co27vpwz_b

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/

There's the amazon link where the book is sold at and the APA site too.

If they do have hocks coming in, you may be alright dont be scared to wait til he's 2 to cull for sure. If in doubt, put him to the side and let him age...