breeding cochin

[evieshotchicks]

I was told that in order to have successful breeding, the hens vent must be shaved to get rid of excess plumage. if this is true, how do i do this? thanks

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

What's the quality of your Cochins (I don't ask this to be offensive). If they have very large cushions, think so big they don't have much back and nearly touch the back of their heads, they'll probably need some help. All you need to do is take a pair of scissors and trim about an inch below the roosters vent and an inch above the hens. My standard Cochins were pretty fluffy, and they bred on their own just fine. I would check a few eggs for fertility before you trim. Crack a few open into a bowl, look for a faint white spot on the yolk. If the white spot is a circle its not fertile, if its a circle with a dot inside (bullseye) it is. Good luck!
Nikki