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Millefleur is a breed of chicken that does not have a large prototype. Such small decorative chickens, which were not bred from a large breed, are called real bantams. The name Millefleur means “a thousand flowers” in French and refers to the variegated plumage of these little hens. In fact, we are not talking about a thousand flowers. Although Millefleur chickens look multi-colored, there are actually no more than 4 different colors in their plumage.
In the United States this breed is known as the Belgian Bearded D'Uccle. The name is due to the fact that the chickens of this breed have small beards.
The history of the breed is unknown. There is only evidence that this chicken existed in Holland already in the 16th century. It is also unknown which breeds were involved in its breeding. Therefore, it is possible that data on the absence of a large prototype simply have not survived to this day.
Description
Milfleurs weigh a little more than 0.5 kg. An adult laying hen weighs only 600 g, a rooster weighs a little more than 700 g. Milleflers have a leaf-shaped red comb. The face, earlobes and earrings are also red. The neck is long, set vertically. In chickens, the body in projection is closer to a spherical shape. Roosters have an elongated oval body in projection with a slight slope from top to bottom in the direction from the front to the back.
The tail of laying hens is fan-shaped, set vertically.Roosters have a denser and more sloping bun than chickens. The braids are not long, but cover the tail feathers. The main color of the braids is black, but the ends are always white.
The wings are quite large for this breed. Loosely pressed to the body and slightly lowered.
The metatarsals have very thick feathering, making it difficult to see the color of the skin. Roosters have especially thick feathers.
Colors
Beautiful coloring is the main reason why hobbyists get these bantams. Russian-language descriptions of Millefleur chickens indicate more than 20 color variations. But not all of them are listed. And many are named incorrectly. The color options are:
- calico;
- Colombian;
- blue (lavender?);
- black and silver;
- red-black;
- black;
- other.
According to foreign descriptions and photos of Millefleur chickens, another requirement can be traced. Of all these colors, only calico and lavender meet foreign requirements. But usually the standards for chickens in different countries are very different from each other. Therefore, if in the USA only two colors are recognized, then in other countries there may be more color variations.
The main color is dark brown. A description and photo of this color in Millefleur chickens is below:
- the base plumage is dark brown;
- on each feather there is a black crescent;
- the tips of the feathers are white.
The Millefleur rooster in the photo has exactly this type of plumage.
There may be very little brown and black, but a lot of white. Then the Millefleur chickens look like the photo below.
You can also find lavender coloring. In this case, the black color of the plumage will be “replaced” with blue. This is what the lavender color looks like in a photo of Millefleur chickens:
There are options with not only two colors, but also a third – brown. Lavender color is “young”.Millefleurs of this color were bred as part of an experiment by crossing individuals of a standard dark brown color with representatives of other breeds carrying the lavender gene.
Also a lavender color, but based on the classic dark brown plumage. In the Russian-language description of the colors of Millefleur chickens, Colombian most likely meant this type of plumage.
But the name “Colombian” is not suitable here, since there are dark spots on the body of the chickens that are unacceptable in the Colombian color.
Porcelain color of Millefleur chickens (photo).
In this breed, if desired, you can find many more colors. Strict requirements apply only to exhibition lines. Fans who keep multi-colored bantams often take them for the sake of experimenting with colors, which means that a cross between two breeds of bantams can be sold like Millefleur. This is neither bad nor good. Maybe someone will be able to breed a new breed of ornamental chickens.
Character
The Millefleur breed has a calm temperament. Bantams do not create problems for their relatives when kept together. At the same time, quons are good mothers and, if necessary, are able to stand up for their offspring.
Millefleurs are easy to tame. Judging by the reviews of foreign owners, they often even prefer to sleep on a pillow with the owner.
Eggs
The number of eggs that these bantams can lay is not so small. Over the course of a year, they lay 110 eggs weighing 30 g each. In fact, few hobbyists are interested in the productivity of ornamental laying hens. In any case, due to the small body area, the hen will not be able to hatch all the eggs she lays.
If you want to get offspring from Millefleurs, the eggs will have to be removed and the chickens hatched in an incubator.
"Classic" colored Millefleur chicks hatch brown.
The nuances of raising young animals
Hatching chicks in an incubator is the same as any other chicken. But when feeding chicks, it is necessary to take into account that their size is much smaller than that of ordinary large forms. In fact, these will be chicks slightly larger than quails.
At the beginning of feeding, you can give chickens feed for quails. This is what is usually given abroad. But in Russia it is often impossible to get the right brand of quality feed. Therefore, they begin to feed chickens using the same “traditional” method as they would feed large chickens.
The only difference is in the size of the feed particles. The egg must be chopped smaller than for large chickens. There is no need to feed very large grains. It is best to boil the millet.
Due to their small body size, chickens need high ambient temperatures for a long time. Until the babies are fully fledged, the air temperature in the brooder is maintained at 28-31°C.
If a lump of dried droppings forms on a chick's toes during growth, the chick may lose a toe.
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When arranging a home for this breed of chickens, you need to take into account two of their features:
- feathered metatarsus and toes;
- well developed wings.
With thick feathering on their feet, chickens need perfectly clean bedding. If other chicken breeds can be kept on permanent deep litter in winter, then Millefleurs need frequent changes of the “bed”.
It is also necessary to equip them with a well-drained paddock where water and dirt will not accumulate. Excrement and bits of clay stuck to the feathers will quickly turn a bantam's feet into hard lumps of mud. Therefore, the run should be filled with washed sand, and the chicken coop should be completely changed at least once a week.
Otherwise, decorative chickens are no different from their large relatives. Millefleurs are not afraid of cold weather, so they do not need an insulated chicken coop. It is enough to equip perches and reliable shelter from bad weather.
When setting up a walk, you need to take into account that these little ones fly well. And low body weight only contributes to flight. The paddock will have to be fenced with a fence of such a height that the bantams will not be able to overcome. Or make a roof in the enclosure.
Feeding
If you believe the description and reviews of the Millefleur chicken breed, they do not require any special food. In the summer, chickens make do with green feed, a small amount of grain and caught insects. In winter, root vegetables are included in the diet, and the amount of grain or mixed feed is increased. To provide chickens with animal protein, birds are given cottage cheese, meat and bone meal, fish, and eggs.
Reviews
Conclusion
Chickens of the Millefleur breed do not have serious economic importance and are used to decorate the yard. Their friendliness and affection are well suited for those poultry farmers who want to keep chickens for the soul, and not for production.
