Cochin Thread!!!

[ki4got]

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Here is one of my little black pekins, trying her best to get the last of the green grass before winter takes it all!

WINTER?? we're about as far from that as can be here in the states. LOL

people are experiencing record highs all over the place... *knock on wood* it's not so bad here on my mountainside. but then again all my chickies have lots of trees/bushes/etc. to hide out in.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

LOL - I believe he's in South Africa!!

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[AndyCap]

LOL - I believe he's in South Africa!!

Yup, sorry should have mentioned that!

i am very sad that it appears that my 5 month old standard mix is a roo (see link below) Will he be fine around my little cochins? Is it wise to keep a standard roo with bantam hens? He/she is very friendly, very light colored wattles and comb and is not even top of the pecking order. I hope if it is a he then he will be good to my little girls

I dont want them to breed either, especially a big standard with my small bantam girls.

see link for the mix
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/682768/is-my-mix-a-pullet

 

[Featherland26]

Andycap, I have a LF brahama with some hybrid hens along with my pekin girl, my brahma never touches her but your cockerel will get bigger and I don't recommend having LF cockerel with small bantams unless there is large hens which will keep him happy.

http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/d/dd/dd6c96cb_IMG_0078.jpeg ( My comment refers to this link )
Well as it turns out my chicks are not silver laced thank goodness, all three chicks apart from lavender/self-blue are black. Their very different colours between the two identical chicks and other black could indicate one is lavender x black split or pure black.

 

[ChickcrazyCharlie]

Hey Casey, glad to see your back with lots of pictures. The pullet is beautiful!!! I am having the same foot problem with some of my mottles. I don't understand either because the parents have good foot color. Awesome birds as always.

Charlie

 

[mjgigax]

Here in Denver, we hit 105 again today - for the 2nd straight day in a row. Which also set an all-time record for 5 consecutive days over 100. Somehow, the incubator temp is holding steady (Yea! - because I have fertile eggs finally!). Mine are all still in breeding cages, and that building stays pretty cool. They are loving fresh greens (kale), straight of the fridge - nice and cold! They stay somewhat quieter in the breeder cages, which actually keeps them a bit cooler as they're not running around.

Not so good for me, as my house is 110 years old, brick, and no air-conditioning. Just lots of fans pushing lots of hot air around.

But our main concern out here, as I'm sure you've probably heard, is all the fires. Another one started just west of Boulder this afternoon, and the one in the Springs got worse. They put the Air Force Academy on pre-evac about an hour ago. One of those huge C-30(?) water transport planes flew over my house about 1/2 an hour ago - from north to south, so probably on its way to Colo. Springs.

Between the heat and the wind, we just can't catch a break. Too many folks have lost their homes, some have been under evacuation for 2 weeks now. People are scrambling to find shelter for their livestock - including their chickens.

I really feel for everyone out in CO. We lived in San Diego 9 years ago during the fires out there. It was tragic. About 4 years ago, here in Oklahoma, a wildfire got within 20 yards of our house. Something like that will change a person's perspective fast. I didn't have birds then.I don't know what I would have done with them. I was worried enough about our cats and dog. I threw them in carriers and took of to a friend's house outside of the fire areas. The cats still freak out when they see a carrier now.

 

[mjgigax]

Here is one of my little black pekins, trying her best to get the last of the green grass before winter takes it all!

Welcome! Wish we could trade some weather right now.

 

[chitown chicks]

103 here today. Gail- thinking about you and all the folks out in Colorado. I have been soaking pens down with the hose and all the fans are running. Lots of ice water for the babies. They are all hanging in there.

Desirai- You can add ice to their water a few times a day to keep it cold, that helps them cool off. We also put out shallow pans and kitty litter boxes with the side cut down filled with cool water for them to stand in to cool off. A lot of them take advantage of the mini wading pools. You can freeze 2 liter soda bottles too and lay them in your run or coop for the birds to rest against something cool.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Newbie and hoping for some cochins soon.
I was going to ask if providing shallow wading pools would be utilized by chickens to cool themselves.
Thanks!

 

[Mr. Ree]

Thanks guys. Got the first of the heat wave here today, birds pantin like crazy. Everyone has had fresh, coo wter all day though and seem to be doing ok. Everyone stills waits for the usual plum snack from me in the evenings, and the youngsters are starting to get the guts to venture outside the coop, lol.

I want to get some pics of the little frazzle I hatched, for that very purpose you mentioned Gail. I am sure people could benefit from th pictures, especially frizzle Cochin beeders. The little guy has such a good personality, I may just keep him and breed him to a couple females and see what I get. Supposed to get 100% frizzles, so we shall see, and I want to also see how breeding from a curlie will help or hiner feather quality in both the smooth and frizzles.

Stay safe and cool out there the next few days everyone. Was only 102 here today, supposed to surpass 105 by tomorrow and Saturday. Keep a close on your Cochins, the heat is a grave enemy of our overly feathered friends.

~Casey

 

[fowlsessed]

I have hatchery quality cochins, so will they breed fine as far as fertility?

Thanks,