Cochin Hens

[frogman]

I have 2 cochin hens (I think) how can I tell if one is a rooster?? She (the larger one) crows every morning - but both look identical. Red combs, the almost the same size, both friendly. I don't want more chicks!! Suggestions??

They are 5months old.

 

[Twistedfeather]

Can we see pictures? It's a possibility that you have a cockerel in your midst but it's hard to diagnose without being able to look at them. You might even have two cockerels if they look the same.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

The crowing is alerting you that you have a rooster, so you have at least one rooster.

We would need a photo to tell what you might have as to the second bird.

LofMc

 

[frogman]

Will post pics tonight!

 

[aart]

I have 2 cochin hens (I think) how can I tell if one is a rooster?? She (the larger one) crows every morning - but both look identical. Red combs, the almost the same size, both friendly. I don't want more chicks!! Suggestions??

They are 5months old.

Chicks will only 'happen' if you incubate, or allow a broody hen to incubate, the fertile eggs.

 

[frogman]

I did not know that - I thought once fertilized its a done deal. So if I remove the eggs from the nesting box and not let them brood - just like eating (layer) eggs??

 

[aart]

I did not know that - I thought once fertilized its a done deal. So if I remove the eggs from the nesting box and not let them brood - just like eating (layer) eggs??

Yep, you won't even know the difference unless you know what to look for on the yolk.
Fertilized eggs need to be kept at ~100 degrees F for at least 24 hours before they start to develop into embryos.
Just gather your eggs daily for eating.

 

[frogman]

So What do you think??

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You have 2 males. Sorry.
Patchy coloring, red bars on wings, large red combs/wattles, spiky saddle feathers....all rooster.
LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So you can see the difference, here are my bantam Cochin pullets at 3 to 4 months of age.

LofMc