Cochin breeding, genetics, and showing

[tiki244]

This is Calypso, which is from my hatch 2 years ago. So you never know for sure what you'll get. His pattern developed quite nicely, but as you can see, he never lost all the white tips on the feathers. I'm really going to focus on documenting their progress this time.

I had one hatch yesterday, and there are 3 more in the incubator to hopefully hatch over the next few days. The hens seem to have gone on vacation - not a single egg for the past 2 weeks.

He is just adorable on that rake!!!

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Head to tail - if you draw a straight line from the top of the tail to the head, it should bisect the eyes.

Chest - Draw a straight line up from the front of the breast to the head - the beak should sit just slightly back of the line.

Legs - The breast feathers should not drag on the ground, but you still want an abundance of fluff. You should be able to slip your hand under the bird, which would mean about an inch of clearance but no more.

They all look to me to have pretty decent heads - no crow heads, and nicely serrated and defined combs, but I can't see in the pics the width of the heads - they should be broad.

The tail and cushion on #1 look good to me - no "pinching in" before the cuchion is formed, and nice wide feathers.

Watch the wings - they should be short and carried close to the body - and held above the thigh fluff.

I think you are describing that the desired birds would look something like these.
Craig

 

[tiki244]

W

OW Beautiful birds Black Cochin Bantams!!!!

I have all my cockerels in an eye level pen now and am checking them out. Each time I look at them I see something different. I guess the idea is to pick out the charecteristics I feel best and hopefully next years breeding will be an improvement? They are really picking on each other so I definitely need to weed them out a bit. I am just going to do the best I can and not worry too much. It not like they are that good quality where if I make a mistake it will be the end of the world

.


For the longest time I just couldnt "see" what I was looking for but I have an idea now.b Hoping to go to at least one show this year.

 

[aoxa]

I have a question about vulture hocks.. I recently brought my partridge cochin cockerel to show - and he was DQ for vulture hocks, but I didn't even notice them until after his bath and blowdry.

Here he is before the bath. I don't have an after picture yet, but they are noticeable. I have one partridge cochin female that definitely does not have them at all. Would the two produce chicks that would be worth hatching? I don't want to hatch chicks that have vulture hocks if the chances are high.

Here is the female from the side.

Front. I am in love with the partridge colouring. The breeder I got them from has sold off all his stock, and I have the last in my area. I want to keep it going, but don't want to continue if they are no good. I will keep my hen and roo for yard ornaments, but will not keep them separate for breeding if it isn't worth it.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

W

OW Beautiful birds Black Cochin Bantams!!!!

I have all my cockerels in an eye level pen now and am checking them out. Each time I look at them I see something different. I guess the idea is to pick out the charecteristics I feel best and hopefully next years breeding will be an improvement? They are really picking on each other so I definitely need to weed them out a bit. I am just going to do the best I can and not worry too much. It not like they are that good quality where if I make a mistake it will be the end of the world

.


For the longest time I just couldnt "see" what I was looking for but I have an idea now.b Hoping to go to at least one show this year.

The Portage, Wisconsin show comes up in mid ? September. A very good highly competitive show with quite a few good Cochins there in the past.

 

[Mrshollywood]

I would love to see exactly what Vulture Hocks look like so I know what to look for in my Cochins....

I have a question about vulture hocks.. I recently brought my partridge cochin cockerel to show - and he was DQ for vulture hocks, but I didn't even notice them until after his bath and blowdry.

Here he is before the bath. I don't have an after picture yet, but they are noticeable. I have one partridge cochin female that definitely does not have them at all. Would the two produce chicks that would be worth hatching? I don't want to hatch chicks that have vulture hocks if the chances are high.

 

[aoxa]

I would love to see exactly what Vulture Hocks look like so I know what to look for in my Cochins....

(not my bird)

It's those feathers out of the back of their legs that stick out and downward.

 

[tiki244]

If I am to go to Portage I better call the person to get a catalog asap then. I think I could drive that far. . Thanks for the tip Black Cochin Bantams.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

If I am to go to Portage I better call the person to get a catalog asap then. I think I could drive that far. . Thanks for the tip Black Cochin Bantams.

Contact info for the Portage show is on the Cochins International website:

http://www.cochinsint.com/show-calendar.html

 

[lilcrow]

(not my bird)
It's those feathers out of the back of their legs that stick out and downward.

This is an excellent example of vulture hocks in Cochins, if you want to see what they look like on a breed that requires per the standard, look at d'Uccle. They are very pronounced and easily seen on these birds. You should also be able to "feel" them, they are very stiff and have heavy shafts.