Cochin Thread!!!

[HooverHenHouse]

Was wondering if anyone had any good tips,advice etc. when it comes to bantam cochins. I have been researching and reading articles etc...even started a reference binder. I plan on breeding a few hens..nothing large scale, I want to have quality not quanity...but need to start so i can learn as i go.

A couple simple questions I cant find answers too...

1) what age can you tell sexes apart in bantam.cochins, and how

2) When do they reach maturity (laying eggs, breedable)

3) What are major characteristics I should watch out for when purchasing or going through my own flock. (I.e. non yellow legs)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr. Ree]

Havent had internet for over a week, since the wind storm we had before Christmas. Knocked the signal off and just got internet back in the last couple days. Hope everyone had a safe and fantastic Christmas and a safe and wild new year!

Was wondering if anyone had any good tips,advice etc. when it comes to bantam cochins. I have been researching and reading articles etc...even started a reference binder. I plan on breeding a few hens..nothing large scale, I want to have quality not quanity...but need to start so i can learn as i go.
A couple simple questions I cant find answers too...
1) what age can you tell sexes apart in bantam.cochins, and how
2) When do they reach maturity (laying eggs, breedable)
3) What are major characteristics I should watch out for when purchasing or going through my own flock. (I.e. non yellow legs)
Thanks in advance!

I will answer them best I can.

1) It can vary sometimes, but usually by 3-4 weeks you can tell. The comb and wattles are what you want to keep an eye out for. But, some pullets can also develop an oversized comb, so if your unsure wait and let feathering determine the sex of the bird in question.

2) Cochin Btms usually reach laying/breeding age around 20 weeks, give or take a couple weeks.

3) The best advice I can give is this: purchase a Standard of Perfection, or a Bantam Standard of Perfection, and read the description of the breed. Try and understand it the best way you can, and get a good idea what you want your birds to look like. Things can pop up in your birds at different ages, and a lot of things will develop with age. Things to watch for at hatch are things like physical defects, wrong color, deformities, etc. Things to watch for as they mature are wing carriage/length, correct type, correct eye/leg/foot color, proper feather quality, and an overall healthy bird. It is also important to remember, there are no perfect specimens and that even the best birds have some small defect. The goal is to produce birds as good or better than the birds used for breeding.

I hope I have helped you in some way. Good luck.

~Casey

 

[Sanna]

Havent had internet for over a week, since the wind storm we had before Christmas. Knocked the signal off and just got internet back in the last couple days. Hope everyone had a safe and fantastic Christmas and a safe and wild new year!

I will answer them best I can.

1) It can vary sometimes, but usually by 3-4 weeks you can tell. The comb and wattles are what you want to keep an eye out for. But, some pullets can also develop an oversized comb, so if your unsure wait and let feathering determine the sex of the bird in question.

2) Cochin Btms usually reach laying/breeding age around 20 weeks, give or take a couple weeks.

3) The best advice I can give is this: purchase a Standard of Perfection, or a Bantam Standard of Perfection, and read the description of the breed. Try and understand it the best way you can, and get a good idea what you want your birds to look like. Things can pop up in your birds at different ages, and a lot of things will develop with age. Things to watch for at hatch are things like physical defects, wrong color, deformities, etc. Things to watch for as they mature are wing carriage/length, correct type, correct eye/leg/foot color, proper feather quality, and an overall healthy bird. It is also important to remember, there are no perfect specimens and that even the best birds have some small defect. The goal is to produce birds as good or better than the birds used for breeding.

I hope I have helped you in some way. Good luck.

~Casey

Thank you Casey, this was helpful for me also!

For the SOP books, is there much of a difference between the regular SOP and Bantam SOP? I'm guessing the Bantam book is for Bantam breeds only?

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

Thank you Casey, this was helpful for me also!

For the SOP books, is there much of a difference between the regular SOP and Bantam SOP? I'm guessing the Bantam book is for Bantam breeds only?

Yes, it is. I have the most recent edition, and I'm not regretting spending the $45 for it. In addition to breed standards, it includes gorgeous page long color illustrations of the more popular breeds. Something you definitely need if you plan on breeding quality stock.

 

[mjgigax]

Just thought I'd share a few of our Mille Fleur bantam cochin project birds. We just acquired a black rooster from Jamie Matts and will be using him in hopes of improving type. We will loose color but can come back to that after type has been improved.

Pullet hatched from MSBears stock.


Pullets


Young rooster

Wow- his saddle feathers!

 

[Sanna]

Yes, it is. I have the most recent edition, and I'm not regretting spending the $45 for it. In addition to breed standards, it includes gorgeous page long color illustrations of the more popular breeds. Something you definitely need if you plan on breeding quality stock.

I'll definitely have to get one of these books. Too bad I didn't think to put it on my Christmas list. lol Then again, I don't think $45 is that much for a book that you'll get use out of for years to come.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

Thank you Casey, that did help me!
Does anyone pictures of young chicks to show the diffrence off pullets verses roo around the 3-4 week range?

 

[ki4got]

Thank you Casey, that did help me!
Does anyone pictures of young chicks to show the diffrence off pullets verses roo around the 3-4 week range?

well, the ages vary in this pen, but they were all between 4-6 weeks old or so... you can see some definite roos.
the partridge on the left is a cockerel, the mille fleur to his right a pullet... they hatched the same day.


these guys are a bit older, but still pretty clear cut pullet vs cockerel IMO...
open the pic for a better view.
(btw, the big baby is one of my colored project dorking pullets, same age as the cochins)

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
My recommendation is always to include the SOP cost in with your initial stock cost. If you are serious about breeding/showing, and are willing to buy the best starter birds you can, it only makes sense. It makes even more sense to buy your SOP before buying your birds - an informed buyer will always get the better birds.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

I will look into that book..Deffenilty sounds like something I want to read...

...In the bottom photo, it looks like the front three are roos to me..am I wrong?

I have owned and hatched silkies for three years..so not use to these combs etc.