Cochin Thread!!!

[Reyvaughn]

The only other thing I can think of is maybe he was holding them that way because it was hot today. I don't remember them being pushed out that much before. Either way, I think I am going to just let him go. I am really hoping to hear from John Burgess. Tom didn't get to the swap on Saturday. I asked for 2 hens/pullets that were at least BQ. I know Tom's a busy man, though.

If not this month or next month, I plan on going to the MD Poultry Fancier's show in November. It's not to far away (3.5hrs one way) and maybe someone will be there to buy from.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

LOL - There should be some excellent Cochins at the Maryland show!! It's the 2012 Eastern National for Cochins International.

You will do good with birds from either John or Tom. But you may find that it's easier to secure a trio or quad, rather than just two hens.

Have you considered joining Cochins International? The Breeders Directory is worth the price of membership (my personal opinion!), but there's also very informative Newsletters, etc. There are a lot of excellent Cochin breeders in Pennsylvania. But all information on the CI website and forum is available to everyone - member or not. It never hurts to establish contacts and rapport with breeders before you get to the Maryland show.

The only other thing I can think of is maybe he was holding them that way because it was hot today. I don't remember them being pushed out that much before. Either way, I think I am going to just let him go. I am really hoping to hear from John Burgess. Tom didn't get to the swap on Saturday. I asked for 2 hens/pullets that were at least BQ. I know Tom's a busy man, though.

If not this month or next month, I plan on going to the MD Poultry Fancier's show in November. It's not to far away (3.5hrs one way) and maybe someone will be there to buy from.

 

[Reyvaughn]

Well, looks like I am going to be without a boy again, so yes, a trio would be great! John wanted to sell me pairs, but agreed to a pair of hens/pullets if he has any to part with. We'll see. I will get them someday.
I have filled out the form 2x, Gail. I just never get it sent in. I want to!

 

[aoxa]

This is a Large Fowl? If so he will grow for quite a while. It is always possible that he will never "look like he should" and still be a strikingly beautiful bird. The bantam Partridge I have won't do as well in a show as several of my other varieties but are the prettiest out in the yard of anything I have. Craig

He's large fowl. Big boy already, but I know he has growing to do. The breeder has really nice partridge hens. I have a hen that is around 1 1/2 from the same breeder - so she is much more mature. I have no idea how long it takes them to be 100% fully mature.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Someone may correct me on this, but I don't believe you can breed out bad wing carriage. They should also be small and "tucked up" - you want to be able to see the thigh fluff. The appearance should be that they are held more horizontal than vertical. Could be overall that they are just too big and long to be held correctly.

You are 100% correct - if you are serious about going forward, save your feed money and buy the best trio/quad that a good reputable breeder will let go of, and don't forget to add the cost of an SOP into your initial investment. All this will, in the end, put you years ahead and save you money. Then take the money you're saving and put it into a travel fund, so you can afford to take those birds to the meets and show them off!

Seems to me that the best breeders/exhibitors have turned their programs around from culling adults to culling chicks.

It probably could be done but you would have to feed out a lot and keep the best ones for years. Cheaper and easier to start with good stock and keep good replacements. Last year the largest # of comments on cage cards was for wings. Males seem to have poorer wing carriage in general than hens.
Craig

 

[posey]

Hi All:
I have a mystery chick who was suppose to be a pullet, ya'll know how that goes. I could clearly tell that he was a roo at 3 weeks. He is now a few days short of 8 weeks old. The place where I purchased him from only has two breeds that he could be from: giant cochin or marans. I have giant cochins and he looks like one to me but they only sell the partridge or pure white plumage varieties. He doesn't have the head coloring etc for a partridge but I don't have personal experience with this color. However his legs and feet are very well covered like a cochin. He is still growing in his back feathers as you can see. When I look at his individual feathers many of them have that "partridge" look to them. With his head dark like this is he more like a black copper marans? I don't have that breed and don't know it well at all.

He is a mystery to me so what do you all think? What is he?






Thanks for your help,
Posey

 

[Funky Feathers]

The only other thing I can think of is maybe he was holding them that way because it was hot today. I don't remember them being pushed out that much before. Either way, I think I am going to just let him go. I am really hoping to hear from John Burgess. Tom didn't get to the swap on Saturday. I asked for 2 hens/pullets that were at least BQ. I know Tom's a busy man, though.

If not this month or next month, I plan on going to the MD Poultry Fancier's show in November. It's not to far away (3.5hrs one way) and maybe someone will be there to buy from.

I think both Tom and John go to this show. I wanted to meet them last year but couldn't seem to track them down. I didn't need to buy any birds, just wanted to meet them. You may want to arrive early in order to get up with them.

 

[hannahwren]

These are a few of my first time around babies, I just thought I would share.

 

[hannahwren]

 

[hannahwren]