Top cochin breeders

joe17

Songster
11 Years
Nov 25, 2009
1,565
19
234
Louisiana
Can anyone tell me the best cochin breeders? I went to my first show and saw many bantam cochins that are beautiful! I have heard of Donald Holt in Texas and thats it. Is there any other good reputable breeder that I should buy from? Thanks!
 
Thank you! I was looking for the cochin site but couldnt find it! Right now I only have silkies and want to stick with black silkies and cochins from now on. If money or work wasn't the issue, would you prefer buying a bunch of chicks from a great breeder or a few started birds? I started off with 2 dozen silkie chicks and now have about 8 left over that look great but I am still culling. What are your experiences with breeding and raising cochins? I dont know much about the breed!
 
Most "great" breeders don't sell eggs or chicks. First, decide if you are going with Bantams or Large Fowl. Then, try and decide upon what color variety you want - some of the patterned varieties are much more challenging to breed and maintain correct plumage. Above all, correct Cochin shape/type should always be your first priority in selecting birds. Personally, I would try and find the best possible pair or trio I could from one breeder. I prefer looking for stock 6 months to a year of age. By that age, the breeder has already made several culls in his flock and you should end up with decent stock. Depending on the breeder and color variety, expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 per bird, before shippping.

If you can find a breeder and establish a good rapport with them, all the better. A good breeder will normally be there to help you before and after the sale.

If you have the option to arrange with a breeder to meet them at a show, all the better. Most will deliver stock to shows they attend.
 
I should also add that it helps if you let the breeder know what your plans for the birds are - will they be pets, 4-H birds, do you plan on showing? Anything more than pets, and you should really study up on the breed standards - especially if you plan on doing any breeding or showing.
 
I would be looking for bantam blacks. So a started trio? Do you have to artificially inseminate the Cochin hens? Someone at our show told us that. He won overall champion with his Cochin out of everyone! Where did you get your Cochins from?
 
Most people that show their birds do AI. If not showing, trimming vent feathers is very popular. I have gotten birds from breeders thru the Cochins International web, as well as from excellent breeders here on BYC.
 
an excerpt from my other post......................"Their names were Maxie and Cindy Chastain. They were havin a seat in the cold. And The gentleman seemed like a right nice feller. Beautiful birds. I hope they incubate my duck eggs."


I have looked them up since i got back home and have found they raise some serious contenders in the show cochin world. Have alot of awards. They live in SC, and I was honored and lucky to meet them. He was in the service also so we hit it off and I bought a trio of gorgeous birds on an offer I couldn't pass up. He showed me how to breed em artificial, but i think I'm gonna cut away instead. LOL. something about stroking my chicken then hitting him in the vent with the dropper kinda freaked me out. I can do a cow no prob, but a chicken just seems weird LOL. Any ways I bought em to raise ducklings, and I will breed them later just to keep the genetics around.
 
Sheryl Butler, Dottie (can't remember last name, but shows in PNW and CA), Joe Mazur, Tim (down in CA, just did very well at Stockton, CA show), etc. Cochins International is the place to check out for the best cochins, the breeders are there,.

Also, to get decent stock to start with, buy started birds or pairs, not chicks. Many breeders won't sell chicks anyhow.

If you're interested in frizzles, Sheryl Butler is the one to talk to.
 
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