Thanks for that Rob. What a great age and great character. Some of
my ladies are getting rather white at 4 so I can imagine what they must look
like at 12.
My barbu d’uccles used to have very strong roosting habits
and one used to fly up to 40 feet up a tree. They certainly don’t like
being caged and seem to get quite depressed if left in their run over a
weekend.
Matt
From: britishbelgianbantams@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:britishbelgianbantams@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of robin.budden
Sent: 08 October 2008 20:57
To: britishbelgianbantams@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [britishbelgianbantams] Re: Life expectancy
Hi Matt, i'm a bit of a late comer to the
topic, but the oldest
d'uccle i knew of, was at least twelve years old on her passing.
she belonged to a friend of mine, who inherited her as the sole
survivor of a flock belonging to his father, who reluctantly had to
give her up when he moved house.She was a much loved pet who refused to
be penned,and had free range of an orchard and a large garden, not to
mention endless acres of surrounding farm land. Miraculously, she
evaded the attentions of the local foxes,and roosted every night in a
cotoneaster bush beneath the kitchen window. she breakfasted every day
in the kitchen with the family,competing with the dog for the crusts
sneaked under the table by the children. one february morning,
"Martha"
didnt appear for her breakfast, and was discovered lifeless, but
unmarked, beneath her favourite cotoneaster roost. she was feather
perfect,virtually snow white(she had been a glamourous Millefleur in
her youth), and was laid to rest under the Kitchen window.