- Jul 4, 2012
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Yes , it is dissappointing when no one replies ?!?!?
Cochin Thread!!!
- Thread starter Settler'sDreamFarm
- Start date
If it is a points show and you are a Cochin International member your points show up because the club putting on the show is responsible for reporting results not you. I know my numbers do not take in all shows and some shows do not turn in results ( I won a Cochin International points show but the results were never turned in) but this is the only pertinent data I could find.
I didn't comment, because i had at other times... I'm interested in some of the less common varieties, but getting decent stock to work with is my challenge, since i can't travel to some of the bigger shows, and it seems like very few want to ship eggs.
if i could find a NICE partridge roo, that would get me going on that line since i already have 2 decent blue partridge girls. and i'd like to get some silver laced too I think. i had a nice pair but sold them, then regretted it. LOL so now i need to start over on them.
- May 10, 2010
- 159
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Craig et al,
Popularity of varieties can be a tricky situation due to the waxing and waning of breeder interest and goals. For example if one's goal is more toward showing and raise high value birds then it's easiest to start with more popular colors as the pool of quality birds is much higher and it takes less time and effort to produce the desired results. On the other hand, if one's goal is to improve a variety or develop something less popular, more unique and/or something personally important then the quality to start with can be very low. Another issue, I think involves the complexity of genetics in patterned varieties when working with lesser quality or building from scratch. This year, for example, I've gotten nearly all Silver Blues from my Lemon Blue project as my males were silver carriers (now known) rather than gold. Im guessing it will take a few years of test matings to finally be sure of getting a gold carrying blue or splash to become consistent with just the desired color. Fortunately for me, I have the time, patience, and desire to wait it out!
My personal interest is in the genetics. Thus my projects are with laced varieties -currently Lemon Blues and This Fall Brown Red and possibly Birchen. Next Spring I'm hoping to add Silver and Gold Laced. And then as "just for fun" I have Mille Fleur/Calico, Splash & blue (for LB), and Silver Blues (out casts from LB). Someday I may be at the point to have high quality showable birds, but that will be a ways off.
If my goals were to get into showing, in the short term I'd likely go with the more popular solid colors just because of available quality. Starting with the highest quality is more important for some goals rather than to build something starting with lesser if that's what available.
With all of the highly skilled breeders, wouldn't it be great if everyone "adopted" a less popular color to breed and promote to get these colors a jump start to improvement and popularity. Look what Tom Roebuck has done for Lavendar, Danny with his chocolate line, as well as others. All be it a small number, I see more and more newer breeders asking about these "other colors"
Dave
Popularity of varieties can be a tricky situation due to the waxing and waning of breeder interest and goals. For example if one's goal is more toward showing and raise high value birds then it's easiest to start with more popular colors as the pool of quality birds is much higher and it takes less time and effort to produce the desired results. On the other hand, if one's goal is to improve a variety or develop something less popular, more unique and/or something personally important then the quality to start with can be very low. Another issue, I think involves the complexity of genetics in patterned varieties when working with lesser quality or building from scratch. This year, for example, I've gotten nearly all Silver Blues from my Lemon Blue project as my males were silver carriers (now known) rather than gold. Im guessing it will take a few years of test matings to finally be sure of getting a gold carrying blue or splash to become consistent with just the desired color. Fortunately for me, I have the time, patience, and desire to wait it out!
My personal interest is in the genetics. Thus my projects are with laced varieties -currently Lemon Blues and This Fall Brown Red and possibly Birchen. Next Spring I'm hoping to add Silver and Gold Laced. And then as "just for fun" I have Mille Fleur/Calico, Splash & blue (for LB), and Silver Blues (out casts from LB). Someday I may be at the point to have high quality showable birds, but that will be a ways off.
If my goals were to get into showing, in the short term I'd likely go with the more popular solid colors just because of available quality. Starting with the highest quality is more important for some goals rather than to build something starting with lesser if that's what available.
With all of the highly skilled breeders, wouldn't it be great if everyone "adopted" a less popular color to breed and promote to get these colors a jump start to improvement and popularity. Look what Tom Roebuck has done for Lavendar, Danny with his chocolate line, as well as others. All be it a small number, I see more and more newer breeders asking about these "other colors"
Dave
Dave
Thank you for your take on varieties. Isn't it amazing the unknowns that pop up when trying to breed. Patterns are the funnest and most frustrating birds I raise. Columbians being my favorites. Silver Penciled are working their way up to #2. Saving and improving varieties isn't really about showing but the show results are the only data I can find to put it in perspective on where the varieties stand..
If I had the room, I'd love to take on the brown reds, buff columbians and lemon blues. I actually have a black tailed buff/red (she's to light for red but to dark for buff) pullet I use for my BC/MFC breeding. Since I am limited on space I can't. Also, I now see how hard it is to get quality birds, I honestly have given up on my chocolate project. I am about to give up on my MFCs, too. Cochins just aren't worth my attention. I already decided to bring in one other breeder's lines to my MFCs and I am closing my flock because I am not going to focus to heavily on them anymore. They will be my only Cochins unless I by some miracle stumble across blacks. Basically, the common colors on your list are hard to get. The uncommon are near impossible. What do you expect?
I would like to get into brown red or partridge or other less popular colored bantams. But right now I am still trying to get some good quality birds in black and white and am working on learning what to look for and how to pick the best breeding pairs. I had a chance to buy some beautiful bantam cochins but I am limited in travelling so I had to pass it up. I am still learning about type and mostl;y I am reading this thread and learning and not commenting too much.
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When I started my search for quality Golden Laced Bantams a few years ago, I actually did start with the Cochins International Master Breeder list. What everyone needs to know is that a member does not lose his points, even if he no longer breeds that particular variety (there's always a chance they may restart with that variety). So when I was contacting listed members about GL's, three were no longer were working with them. But the nice thing about Cochins Interntational members is that they still love to talk Cochins and help folks whenever possible, and I had some great phone conversations with breeders!
I disagree with those that say finding good quality Cochins (even of the popular varieties) is next to impossible. My personal opinion is that much of your success or failure will be due to how you approach the seller. Are you Polite, Professional, and Precise about what you want? What time of year are you calling them? It is generally much easier to purchase a pair or trio than just their one best hen. Be prepared for the shipping costs. Are you willing to place a deposit to go on a waiting list if necessary? These breeders truly don't have hundreds of birds of several varieties running around 365 days of the year. They have space constraints and feed bills just like the rest of us. Don't be afraid to tell them exactly what you are looking for - it really makes their position of helping you that much easier. If you are just starting out with a particular variety, be sure they know that. Let them know what experience you already have with Cochins. If you are looking to improve your existing flock by adding in new blood, be sure and tell them. Let them know exactly what improvements you feel you need to make in your birds - is it wing carriage, feather width, the pattern, etc. I've actually sent pictures of my existing GL's to other breeders to show them what I have and what I feel I need to improve.
If they don't ship birds, many will deliver to shows they attend. Most breeders will not sell eggs or chicks, so you really shouldn't even ask. (You do know that there's no such thing as "Show Quality Eggs" - Right?)
Again, be Polite, Professional and Precise. And I think equally important is to be Respectful of the Breeder and his Knowledge and Experience - that's why you're contacting him in the first place, right?
Question my Blue Cochin rooster is in love with my Coco Moran is this normal???
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