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BARBU D’ UCCLE

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium

CATEGORY: True Bantam

EGG COLOUR: White to light brown (Sitters)

HISTORY

Barbu d’Uccles are known in Europe since the beginning of the 20^th century. In England they were known as “garden-fowl” and in Germany they were referred to as “Mille fleurs”, a French name that means ‘thousand flowers’. Belgium is named as the place of origin and more specifically the village Ukkel. Barbu d’Uccle means the bearded one from Uccle. The merchant of Brussels, Michel van Gelder, is said to be the man who developed this breed by crossing the Sabelpoot with the Barbu d’Anvers. The d’Uccle is always single combed and feather legged, but in type quite like the d’Anvers, with a high carried tail.

BREEDING

The Barbu D’Uccle is renowned for being a calm bird. Their eggs are notably small and are coated with creamy or tinted colouring. The breed is known for being very broody, and a typical hen can lay her eggs over a two-week period, though others have taken as long as three weeks.

The Barbu d’Uccle are susceptible to Marek’s  disease, so breeders are advised to vaccinate their birds.Because the population is already small, it seems smart then to vaccinate day-old chickens.  Breeders with lots of space can breed more animals.  This offers an opportunity to keep several groups separate and to proceed to select on the sensitivity for this disease.  If sensitivity is present, than a lot of animals will show the disease (mostly at the start of the egg-laying period).  When the animals do not get sick, then enough resistance is present and it is possible to build up a resistance after a few years.  However, this selection against Marek’s will cost many young chickens and a lot of time. (For more info about Marek’s desease please click on Poultry Handbook and then Poultry diseases on our website)

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