Cochin Thread!!! - Page 970

This is one of the absolute best threads on BYC - there is something on here for everyone:

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/343605/diagrams-poultry-parts-charts-and-lots-of-reading-updated-nov-13th/0_20

My poor cochins have foot feathers that are a MESS.  I talked to 3 breeders at the show today ALL of which told me perfectly opposite information.  One said PINE SHAVINGS ONLY.... one said "on wire all the time, never down on the ground".  The 3rd said "SAND ONLY".... yeah.

 

Mine are on wire, but I have them in a grass run most all day.  My only birds I don't really freerange so that they aren't bothered by my LF birds.  Even if I left their area open, they prefer to be off to themselves.  SOOOOO.... help!  Please and thank you :)
 

I have sen the term shafting many times so now I know! And that was a very helpful diagram too. I will give him 6 weeks and post some new pics with more angles. I know he isn't perfect but w en hearing the wrong as well as the right is really helpful to me so thank you all for your time.

the only way i've found to keep my birds feet nice is to constantly watch and make sure they have lots of clean dry shavings. if they get the slightest bit damp they start to get poop balls on their feathers. it's almost a full time job just to keep them clean. i tried wire and it didn't work as good as the shavings but I think it needs to be 1" squares instead of 1/2"

 

Thank you for both information links...very helpful! 

Tom uses 1" square x 2' ft wide vinyl or PVC coated wire for all his male birds if I remember correctly . We all know the quality of Cochins he raises. It is not inexpensive but does not have any sharp area to catch feathers. I saw it at his place several years ago. I have never used it so I have no personal experience with it but it seemed to be perfect for his setup.

 

I use pine shavings. I have used the larger course chips that sort of expand when removed from the packaging and the smaller finer chips. Both have an advantage over the other type. The course ones fill more space but do not absorb as well. The feet stay a little cleaner on the finer chips and there are fewer carts of bedding/manure to the compost pile with the smaller sized wood bedding. The course stuff is large livestock bedding. Living in Iowa more large animal type is kept in stock by our local elevator.

Craig

Hi all, I saw a beautiful buff cochin pullet at a show yesterday and fell in love. I love buff orps too but this bird was very big and beautiful! I was wondering before I start my search for a bird like the one I saw, is it really hard to keep their feet and legs clean? Are they more trouble than non-feathered feet birds? Can they free range without getting completely wrecked feet? I don't want to show, I would love to just have her as eye candy. Of course, if she is walking around with yucky feet all the time, it might take away from the eye candy part. I live on Long Island, NY BTW.

 

I asked the guy showing her if he'd sell her and he said someone offered him $100.00 and he refused him. Whew! My hatchery birds cost $3.00 a piece! But there is such a difference. If we were allowed, I'd love to breed them since it seems they are hard to find. But alas, we aren't allowed roosters here so that's out!

 

Any and all advice would be much appreciated

Edited by goldeneggtees - 5/20/12 at 5:24am

all my non-breeding cochins are free ranged and the feathers get a bit more wear on them, but not nasty looking...  unless it's raining and muddy everywhere. but they do dry out. i love watching the cochins preening their feet. the dorkings look at them like they've lost their minds. LOL

Thanks Karen, I can't stop thinking about her so that's good news.

Do you know where I might be able to purchase show quality chicks or eggs, not bantams? I have a broody australorp currently so it would work great if I could get some soon.

Beautiful chicken! Where did you get her/?