Breeding Cochins - do you have to AI?

[Msbear]

There is a wide range of "show quality" It really depends on how much fluff you have on those birds and if that fluff will allow a connection between the male and female. I have had zero fertility with my mottleds and never a problem with the columbians and milles. Blacks, whites, buffs and mottled SQ are very round and I would think those varieties would need AI'd or trimmed in order to reproduce. Some patterned varieties like laced and newer varieties like mille and lavender are still developing their type and are not as round.

The true basketball shaped bantam cochin will have some difficulty breeding. Hatchery birds will not give you a problem.

Aside from breeding issues, these birds also need some special attention on their feet as feathers and fluff will cover this area preventing scaley leg mite and sores from being obvious. Sudden weight loss can also slide under the radar so be sure to handle them often.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Nope. You can do some personal trimming on them around their vents and they get the job done just fine.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have never AI'd any of mine and get a very good hatch rate. My whites are show quality and they hatch great with all that fluff. It seems to be a pretty good act of him and her learning the moves. But mine also go outside every day in a pen and I think with the dirt and wear and tear on the feathers that it may help. My standards are hatchery or pet quality and the roo is small for some girls but they still have a decent 85% hatch rate.

 

[1crazychick]

Hello, I am new to this as well. trying my hand in breeding for the first time. Are you talking about a true AI or are you just talking about trimming "butt" feathers? If you are talking about true AI can you tell me how this is done and what I can do to assure my hatch rate.
Thanks so much!!! Any info would be great!

 

[colowyo0809]

Quote:
here is a link that was posted in the MilleFluerCochin thread, all about AI'ing

 

[HorizonSon]

Thank you for the video link; super info!

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

I have been raising chicks from a very old show line. I can tell you that with my birds you can get fertile eggs but the fertility rate is below 50% without owner intervention (whether that be plucking vent area or AI). I would suggest getting the best birds you can find and afford and live with lower fertility rates. You will always know that the birds you are feeding are good representatives of the breed.

 

[DANNY]

I have found that most real good birds won't breed naturally anymore. I have tried clipping around the vents but if it helped it was very little. There are always exceptions but my white nor blacks will produce without the use of AI.

 

[MaransGuy]

Quote:
Cochinman2005 also brought up some good points. The need for AI will depend on your particular animals and your goals. If you want fertile eggs but want to keep you animals in show condition then AI is pretty much a given. You cannot keep the cocks with the hens and expect them to stay competitive in a good show. Likewise, if the bird has good type, at least good enough to be competitive at bigger shows, then it is likely that AI will improve your fertility. A good quality LF cock is easily heavy enough to severly damage a hen's back and cushion feathers to render her useless in the show ring.