Broody Hen Thread!

[Lady of McCamley]

Hello fellow brooders...I haven't been on here for some time...whoa, life just got busy and I couldn't justify "fun" computer time for while....and I was out of town (out of state) helping my oldest daughter with her new little baby on a farm with very limited internet connection. (Yeeks....I'm a grandma now!

)

At any rate...I've got a question...who on this thread has hands on experience using bantam Cochins for brooding.

Sadly my faithful broody SIlkie Oma-San was taken by a very determined Cooper's hawk this month (who gained a foothold during my absence).

So...After a local search for a new brooder, I am looking at purchasing 2 bantam Cochin hens that are about 2 years old that are experienced brooders, if we can work out delivery and pickup...they are about 1 1/2 hours away driving time (3 hrs round trip).

I've never owned a bantam Cochin. Are they similar to Silkies in size, brooding power, and general upkeep?

After reading up about the Cochin, and conversely the Silkie, I've discovered I was ignorantly bliss with my Silkie in that even though I live in the wet Northwest, she did fine as an outdoor bird. She was given access to a warm hutch with covered area below, but she always chose to stay in the run scratching in the dirt and the inevitable rain...but I never had a problem with her becoming chilled or ill. Thick bark chips in her run kept her from becoming a mud ball, and I trimmed her foot feathers periodically to help prevent matting....periodic dusting for mites...and she was a content camper.

In other words I never read the manual on Silkies that told me I should be putting them inside during wet weather or they get chilled...ditto the manuals say with bantam Cochins.

All to ask...what will taking care of a bantam Cochin really look like? I am expecting (after quarantine) to put them in my broody hutch with run like my Silkie was and continue life as before (hopefully without the Cooper's Hawk this time).

Thanks
Lady of McCamley

 

[TeaChick]

Hello fellow brooders...I haven't been on here for some time...whoa, life just got busy and I couldn't justify "fun" computer time for while....and I was out of town (out of state) helping my oldest daughter with her new little baby on a farm with very limited internet connection. (Yeeks....I'm a grandma now!

)

At any rate...I've got a question...who on this thread has hands on experience using bantam Cochins for brooding. I had a bantam Cochin and she did go broody.

Sadly my faithful broody SIlkie Oma-San was taken by a very determined Cooper's hawk this month (who gained a foothold during my absence).

{Sorry about the hawk. We've had trouble with hawks lately too. I've read that several ppl have here.}

So...After a local search for a new brooder, I am looking at purchasing 2 bantam Cochin hens that are about 2 years old that are experienced brooders, if we can work out delivery and pickup...they are about 1 1/2 hours away driving time (3 hrs round trip).

I've never owned a bantam Cochin. Are they similar to Silkies in size, brooding power, and general upkeep? I don't have experience with silkies, but I understand that Cochins are only slightly less broody (very slightly). If they are experienced broodies, then you don't have to worry about that. Similar upkeep, feathered feet, etc. Cochins aren't the best foragers, but my little Snoodle did alright with the sex-links and Leghorns.

After reading up about the Cochin, and conversely the Silkie, I've discovered I was ignorantly bliss with my Silkie in that even though I live in the wet Northwest, she did fine as an outdoor bird. She was given access to a warm hutch with covered area below, but she always chose to stay in the run scratching in the dirt and the inevitable rain...but I never had a problem with her becoming chilled or ill. Thick bark chips in her run kept her from becoming a mud ball, and I trimmed her foot feathers periodically to help prevent matting....periodic dusting for mites...and she was a content camper.

In other words I never read the manual on Silkies that told me I should be putting them inside during wet weather or they get chilled...ditto the manuals say with bantam Cochins.

All to ask...what will taking care of a bantam Cochin really look like? I am expecting (after quarantine) to put them in my broody hutch with run like my Silkie was and continue life as before (hopefully without the Cooper's Hawk this time). I would jump on the offer if I were you. =)

Thanks
Lady of McCamley

 

[blkjak]

I have bantam cochins. There are similar to silkies but are much better free rangers. Mostly due to less head feathers than silkies. Similar in broodiness but are fabulous little chickens.

 

[fisherlady]

Hello fellow brooders...I haven't been on here for some time...whoa, life just got busy and I couldn't justify "fun" computer time for while....and I was out of town (out of state) helping my oldest daughter with her new little baby on a farm with very limited internet connection. (Yeeks....I'm a grandma now!

)

At any rate...I've got a question...who on this thread has hands on experience using bantam Cochins for brooding.

Sadly my faithful broody SIlkie Oma-San was taken by a very determined Cooper's hawk this month (who gained a foothold during my absence).

So...After a local search for a new brooder, I am looking at purchasing 2 bantam Cochin hens that are about 2 years old that are experienced brooders, if we can work out delivery and pickup...they are about 1 1/2 hours away driving time (3 hrs round trip).

I've never owned a bantam Cochin. Are they similar to Silkies in size, brooding power, and general upkeep?

After reading up about the Cochin, and conversely the Silkie, I've discovered I was ignorantly bliss with my Silkie in that even though I live in the wet Northwest, she did fine as an outdoor bird. She was given access to a warm hutch with covered area below, but she always chose to stay in the run scratching in the dirt and the inevitable rain...but I never had a problem with her becoming chilled or ill. Thick bark chips in her run kept her from becoming a mud ball, and I trimmed her foot feathers periodically to help prevent matting....periodic dusting for mites...and she was a content camper.

In other words I never read the manual on Silkies that told me I should be putting them inside during wet weather or they get chilled...ditto the manuals say with bantam Cochins.

All to ask...what will taking care of a bantam Cochin really look like? I am expecting (after quarantine) to put them in my broody hutch with run like my Silkie was and continue life as before (hopefully without the Cooper's Hawk this time).

Thanks
Lady of McCamley

I am so sorry you lost Oma-San !!

That had to be a horrible loss for you...

I have not had Bantam Cochins but do know of another user on here who does... I can check with her on how they fare in the cold Pennsylvania weather if you would like.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I am so sorry you lost Oma-San !!

That had to be a horrible loss for you...

I have not had Bantam Cochins but do know of another user on here who does... I can check with her on how they fare in the cold Pennsylvania weather if you would like.

Hi fisherlady,

Thank you for your condolences...yes it was a brutal loss...and so frustrating...I let her out in the side yard to forage because I thought I'd finally discouraged that hawk...obviously it was just lying in wait. When she wasn't in the coop that night, I knew something bad had happened, and sadly found her in the yard decimated. :Sniff:

Yes, if you would ask your friends how their bantam Cochins do in cold weather, that would be nice. I don't get the frigid winters of PA, but we do get some cold snaps and snow here depending upon the year.

Hope all is well with your broods...I may be hitting you up for one of those wonderful penciled Rocks of yours that co-brood so well

Lady of McCamley

 

[fisherlady]

Hi fisherlady,

Thank you for your condolences...yes it was a brutal loss...and so frustrating...I let her out in the side yard to forage because I thought I'd finally discouraged that hawk...obviously it was just lying in wait. When she wasn't in the coop that night, I knew something bad had happened, and sadly found her in the yard decimated. :Sniff:

Yes, if you would ask your friends how their bantam Cochins do in cold weather, that would be nice. I don't get the frigid winters of PA, but we do get some cold snaps and snow here depending upon the year.

Hope all is well with your broods...I may be hitting you up for one of those wonderful penciled Rocks of yours that co-brood so well

Lady of McCamley

I hope to have eggs available to share with you in the spring... It will be an education in packing them... but I am looking forward to sending you some.

 

[Blooie]

I have no experience or wisdom to offer, but i just wanted to say "congratulations" on the brand new grandbaby! Until my first grandson was born 25 years ago, I didn't know I could love someone else's child that much! And now that same grandson has a little boy and another on the way, so he's giving us our first great grandchildren. Again, congrats!

 

[vpatt]

My first great grandchild will arrive in April!!

And the broody is still on her eggs...cant wait for Sunday to see what happens.

So sorry Lady for your loss.

 

[wingstone]

I raise bantam Cochin in Pa. I do nothing special for them in the winter, they actually do better than some others because they like to cuddle up with each other.
As far as broodiness, they are about the same as a silkie, it seems that when one goes broody they all do, I take advantage of that and give them lots of eggs, they have always hatched and raised the chicks in groups, the broodies tend to work together.
Only problem I ever have are the feet, when it gets muddy, I find myself washing feet, not sure it is needed but I try not to let the mud build up on the feet..seems to happen about the same time that they start to go broody and I do not want the eggs muddy...on warm days if you stick out a shallow pan of water, they will climb in as if they are trying to wash them by themselves.
Finally, I need to warn you, these little bantam Cochin are the sweetest birds I have, they will jump up to you if you try to ignore them, they crave attention and are very addicting, you can never have just one.

 

[fisherlady]

Thanks wing!