The difference is in the pattern. Mille Fleur is an even, consistent pattern of buff with each feather ending in a black chevron and then a white tip. It is not yet an accepted variety in bantam cochins but some amazing breeders have been working very hard on getting a consistency in the pattern and there are some really nice specimens out there. Confetti is what I call the pattern of a light or white base color with evenly scattered splotches of different colors across the entire bird. I think of calico as a light base with larger splashes of color, like a calico cat. Mind you these are just my interpretations of the varieties - since they are not recognized varieties there is no standard and other breeders may have different views. Frankly I am happy to call them polka-dotted puff balls!
They are a mid-sized bantam with lots of fluff and a sturdy little body, weighing maybe a pound and a half to two pounds at the very most. They are very sweet, friendly, curious birds - very docile, not at all flighty and barely flighted for that matter! They mix in well with a mixed flock as long as there are a few of them and the flock isn't made up of aggressive hens. Before I started breeding I had all of my girls together - bantams and large fowl, and didn't have any trouble based on size. They are very gentle though, so you need to make sure they have buddies and aren't being picked on by meanies.
I will have a bunch of project birds available at Stockton, some like the birds in the picture and a bunch more that have other interesting patterns (I got a bit carried away with experimenting last summer...). Hope to see you there!
