📜 History of the Belgian d'Uccle
The Belgian d’Uccle (sometimes called the Barbu d'Uccle) originated in Uccle, Belgium, in the late 1800s. A well-known poultry breeder, Michel Van Gelder, developed the breed by crossing Bearded d'Anvers bantams with other feather-footed breeds like Booted Bantams (Sablepoots). His goal was to create a beautiful, docile bantam with extravagant feathering—and he succeeded!
The breed was officially recognized in 1905 and quickly gained popularity in Europe and North America for its elegant appearance and friendly nature. Today, d'Uccles are kept as ornamental birds, exhibition chickens, and affectionate backyard pets.
🎨 Recognized Colors & Patterns
Belgian d'Uccles come in a variety of stunning colors, with the most well-known being Mille Fleur ("Thousand Flowers"). This iconic color features rich reddish-brown feathers with white-tipped black spangles, giving them a speckled, flower-like appearance.
Standard Recognized Colors:
✔ Mille Fleur – Reddish-brown with white and black spangles (most popular)
✔ Porcelain – Similar to Mille Fleur but in a soft lavender shade
✔ Black – Solid black with a glossy sheen
✔ White – Pure white with soft feathering
✔ Blue – Smoky blue-gray plumage
✔ Self-Blue (Lavender) – Light silvery-blue with even coloring
✔ Golden Neck – Golden variation of Mille Fleur
✔ Buff Columbian – Buff-colored body with black-tipped feathers
💡 Fun Fact: Mille Fleur d’Uccles often get more spangles as they molt, making them look even fancier as they age!
📏 Size & Weight: How Small Are They?
Belgian d'Uccles are true bantams, meaning they have no large-fowl counterpart. Their compact size makes them easy to handle and great for smaller coops.
⚖ Weight:
- Roosters: ~26 oz (1.6 lbs)
- Hens: ~22 oz (1.4 lbs)
📏 Size:
- Short, compact bodies with upright posture
- Fluffy beards & muffs give them a round, full face
- Booted legs & feathered feet make them extra fancy
Despite their tiny stature, they have big personalities and are often seen strutting around like they own the place!
🥚 Egg Production: What to Expect?
While Belgian d’Uccles aren’t egg-laying powerhouses, they still produce a fair number of eggs for a bantam breed.
🥚 Egg Stats:
✔ Egg Color: Creamy white to light tan
✔ Egg Size: Small
✔ Eggs Per Year: ~100-150 (2-4 per week)
✔ Broodiness: Very broody! These hens love to hatch eggs.
🐣 Broody Alert! If you want a hen that will hatch and raise chicks, d'Uccles are excellent mothers. But if you don’t want chicks, you may need to break their broodiness from time to time.
🐓 Personality & Temperament
One of the biggest reasons people love d'Uccles is their sweet, friendly nature.
✔ Affectionate & People-Friendly – Many d'Uccles enjoy perching on shoulders or laps!
✔ Gentle with Kids – Their calm temperament makes them great for families.
✔ Curious & Chatty – They love to explore and "talk" to their humans.
✔ Not Bullies – They do best in flocks with other gentle breeds.
💡 Fun Fact: D’Uccles have a unique “chattering” sound—a soft, trilling noise they make when they’re content!
🐣 Breeding & Genetics
If you’re interested in breeding Belgian d’Uccles, understanding their color genetics is key!
✔ Mille Fleur & Porcelain Genetics – Porcelain is a lavender dilution of Mille Fleur, meaning two copies of the lavender gene turn Mille Fleur’s red/brown shades into soft lilac tones.
✔ Feathered Feet & Beards – Both traits are dominant, meaning chicks will inherit them easily.
✔ Sexing Chicks – Hard to tell at hatch! Males develop larger combs and wattles as they grow.
🐥 Best Breeding Tip: If you breed Mille Fleur to Mille Fleur, you'll get 100% Mille Fleur chicks. If you introduce Porcelain, you’ll start seeing lavender variations.
🏡 Raising Belgian d'Uccles: Care Tips
D’Uccles are low-maintenance birds, but their feathered feet need special attention!
✔ Coop & Run Setup – They love perches & low roosts (not great fliers).
✔ Feathered Feet Care – Keep runs dry & clean to prevent mud buildup.
✔ Cold Weather Considerations – Beards can ice up in winter, so good coop ventilation is a must.
✔ Feed & Treats – Regular layer feed works well, but they love mealworms, fruits, & veggies as treats!
💡 Fun Fact: D’Uccles are surprisingly fast despite their tiny size and feathered feet! They can dart across the yard like tiny fluffy rockets. 🚀
📌 Are Belgian d'Uccles Right for You?
✅ Great for small flocks & backyard setups
✅ Perfect for families & kids (gentle & friendly)
✅ Beautiful feather patterns & color options
✅ Low-maintenance but need clean, dry feet
✅ Good broodies if you want a natural mother hen
❌ Not the best choice if you want tons of eggs
❌ May get bullied by larger, more aggressive breeds
❌ Require dry ground to keep feet feathers clean
🐔 Fun Facts About Belgian d’Uccles!
🔹 They are one of the few breeds with both beards AND feathered feet.
🔹 Their name is often mispronounced—it’s “dew-clay,” not “duh-uckle.”
🔹 Some people call them the “Lapdogs of the Chicken World” because they love attention!
🔹 Despite their size, roosters can be quite feisty and protective.
🔹 They are great for showing due to their unique look and personality.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get Belgian d'Uccles?
If you want a small, friendly, and absolutely adorable chicken, the Belgian d'Uccle is a fantastic choice. They may not lay tons of eggs, but they make up for it with personality, beauty, and companionship.
🐔 Do you have Belgian d’Uccles in your flock? What’s your favorite thing about them? Let me know in the comments! 😊✨
