Cochin breeding, genetics, and showing

[thecochincoop]

Can someone critique my Georgie? I've been getting interested in breeding for show and sale and wondering if she should be part of that or should just stay my sweet lap chicken.

I realize this isn't a great photo, but hopefully it gives a decent idea of her shape and plumage. I will try to take more tomorrow.

I would breed her to a red male and then take one of the cockerels and breed back to her. You should get roughly 75% mottled babies out of that crossing. Your first generation from the red male will all look solid, but be carrying mottled. You could even breed some of the F1 siblings together and get half of them as red mottled. There will be black in the plumage, but I have seen that most of the reds have black in their feathers also so it is to be expected. I would focus on getting the red mottled first and then work on the ground color. You may also want to visit the Facebook group called mottled Cochin enthusiasts and breeders.

 

[FoxholeFarm]

I would breed her to a red male and then take one of the cockerels and breed back to her. You should get roughly 75% mottled babies out of that crossing. Your first generation from the red male will all look solid, but be carrying mottled. You could even breed some of the F1 siblings together and get half of them as red mottled. There will be black in the plumage, but I have seen that most of the reds have black in their feathers also so it is to be expected. I would focus on getting the red mottled first and then work on the ground color. You may also want to visit the Facebook group called mottled Cochin enthusiasts and breeders.

Not a bad idea... Thanks for the tip on the Facebook page, too. I will head there. I will ask around for a good red Cochin sire to borrow since I can't keep my own until my grouchy alcoholic neighbors simmer down about the crowing. Thanks! To both of you!

 

[bhj123]

Only a few more days until my Mille Fleur Chickies hatch!! They should all hatch this weekend.

 

[houlahoula]

Anyone care to comment on this baby with unknown parentage for me? She is from a mixed bantam Cochin flock with numerous genetic combinations being possible. Apparently she received the frizzle gene from a parent...
If anyone can suggest some possible heritage I would greatly appreciate it. Clearly she was not hatched for any purpose other than to be a wonderful pet but thought that those into Cochin genetics might enjoy a brain teaser
Thank you to any and all who respond!

Comb is brightening a bit...
Lion fish in the lineage?

 

[lilcrow]

Anyone care to comment on this baby with unknown parentage for me? She is from a mixed bantam Cochin flock with numerous genetic combinations being possible. Apparently she received the frizzle gene from a parent...
If anyone can suggest some possible heritage I would greatly appreciate it. Clearly she was not hatched for any purpose other than to be a wonderful pet but thought that those into Cochin genetics might enjoy a brain teaser

Thank you to any and all who respond!



Comb is brightening a bit...
Lion fish in the lineage?

HA!! Too funny!

 

[bhj123]

Here's my Blue Mille Fleur cochin bantams!!

 

[Angie16hearts]

I have a mille Fluer bantam " chicken little" she is a hatchery bird. I love to pieces! Anyways I bought two assorted cochin bantams for her to have friends . They are both cockerels. I only want to keep one but most likely will keep both . Not sure yet. I want to get your opinions on which to keep for her in case she goes broody. I have a big girl house with 11 hens and 1 rooster so I have other eggs I would use as well. Here are my pics. Please feel free to tell me which Roo you would keep or use.

this is Chicken little my pullet. The first 3 pics are curly and billy . Billy is very aggressive and curly very timid. I'm clueless on genetics !! Any help would be great. We also want our boys to watch the cycle of life. I hear she may go broody a lot. Thanks in advance again!

 

[lilcrow]

I have a mille Fluer bantam " chicken little" she is a hatchery bird. I love to pieces! Anyways I bought two assorted cochin bantams for her to have friends . They are both cockerels. I only want to keep one but most likely will keep both . Not sure yet. I want to get your opinions on which to keep for her in case she goes broody. I have a big girl house with 11 hens and 1 rooster so I have other eggs I would use as well. Here are my pics. Please feel free to tell me which Roo you would keep or use. this is Chicken little my pullet. The first 3 pics are curly and billy . Billy is very aggressive and curly very timid. I'm clueless on genetics !! Any help would be great. We also want our boys to watch the cycle of life. I hear she may go broody a lot. Thanks in advance again!

In truth they are all too young to tell anything about them. I can see that the Black is a Frizzle and if you want to breed them there are things you need to know about those genetics. I would say if you breed the Buff to the Mille Fleur you will wash out the pattern even further. Ideally, waiting until the are at least 8 mo and even a bit older would be best to give you a better idea of what they are going to become. I'm assuming you are breeding for pet quality.

 

[Angie16hearts]

In truth they are all too young to tell anything about them. I can see that the Black is a Frizzle and if you want to breed them there are things you need to know about those genetics. I would say if you breed the Buff to the Mille Fleur you will wash out the pattern even further. Ideally, waiting until the are at least 8 mo and even a bit older would be best to give you a better idea of what they are going to become. I'm assuming you are breeding for pet quality.

Yes, just for pet quality. I want my children to watch how the cycle works. I certainly don't want what little color she does have removed . I wonder about the black one will that wash her color? Or make her a frizzle with her flowers still? This will be interesting ! I will have her sit on a few of my bigger hens eggs. That's if she goes broody. Any more info would be great! Thank you so much!

 

[lilcrow]

Yes, just for pet quality. I want my children to watch how the cycle works. I certainly don't want what little color she does have removed . I wonder about the black one will that wash her color? Or make her a frizzle with her flowers still? This will be interesting ! I will have her sit on a few of my bigger hens eggs. That's if she goes broody. Any more info would be great! Thank you so much!

The Black one will most likely cover and you'll have all Black chicks. This is not the time for a genetics lesson. Chicken color is incredibly complex and it would be best if you just prepared yourself for whatever you get.If you use the frizzle you'll get 50% frizzle of whatever color. Do not mate 2 frizzles.