Cochin Thread!!!

[ChickenCrazy123]

when you first started putting them to bed, was there a light in there? even a heat lamp? I brood all my babies with heat emitters (ceramic heating element that screws into a light socket). that way they have a normal day/night...

when they first go outside, they don't realize that dark comes gradually, unlike in the house where their light is on a timer. so for the first few days I have to put them all to bed and close the door... usually after a few days of bed in the dark they figure out when it's time to go in.

you might also try putting dinner in there just before dark and shutting the door. in case they're afraid of it for some reason...

No we didn't put a light or heat lamp in because the people we got them from said they wouldn't need one at that age but i will put a light in. OK i will try that thanks for the help

 

[Jharper]

Great answer. The birds coming out of a cross to black would not be pure birchen.

Another thing to remember is that they would be split on the e locus. You would have to take the daughter of a cross to black, and back cross her to the birchen father. That would give you 50% birchen offspring. Black can hide a lot though. So the results would be not be 100% predictable.

If possible the best option would be another birchen.

That's what I was going to do.

 

[AndyCap]

That's what I was going to do.

As lilcrow mentioned. Not all black birds are silver based. If yours isn't then this cross is going to produce a lot of birds that are not usable. I would ask whoever you got your pullet from if they know if she is silver based.

Black can hide a lot of additional things, patterning gene, columbian, melanisers, mottling and more. Crosses are risky.

You would have to try and segregate the e locus genes again. It would be fairly easy to spot the ER e locus, as it would appear different in the chick down in the f2.

The split birds may not be usable as either birchen or black

 

[Jharper]

As lilcrow mentioned. Not all black birds are silver based. If yours isn't then this cross is going to produce a lot of birds that are not usable. I would ask whoever you got your pullet from if they know if she is silver based.

Black can hide a lot of additional things, patterning gene, columbian, melanisers, mottling and more. Crosses are risky.

You would have to try and segregate the e locus genes again. It would be fairly easy to spot the ER e locus, as it would appear different in the chick down in the f2.

The split birds may not be usable as either birchen or black

I guess we really won't find out until I cross them.

 

[Frizzled Pink]

I was wondering what color Frik and Frak are...at least that assessment was good to.. S when I take pics it is best to get a frontal view and a side view with the bird relaxed as much as possible? The mottle girl just has stood up to look at something she isn't that upright in her carriage at all.

Frik and Frak are a start to mille for you. They are missing a lot of black. If you like that pattern you could use them with your mottled girl (should give you dark mottled with vermillion hackles) and take the offspring back to Frik or Frak which should produce better black chevrons and chest "flowers". The bottom pullet i would call a calico which has the same colors as a mille but not correct patterning and to my understanding will not help you if your project is to produce correct milles. Mille Fleur pattern should be vermillion feather base with black chevron and white tip.

 

[lilcrow]

As lilcrow mentioned. Not all black birds are silver based. If yours isn't then this cross is going to produce a lot of birds that are not usable. I would ask whoever you got your pullet from if they know if she is silver based.

Black can hide a lot of additional things, patterning gene, columbian, melanisers, mottling and more. Crosses are risky.

You would have to try and segregate the e locus genes again. It would be fairly easy to spot the ER e locus, as it would appear different in the chick down in the f2.

The split birds may not be usable as either birchen or black

So true Andy.

 

[lilcrow]

I guess we really won't find out until I cross them.

Do you want a bunch of all black birds? If so why bother with the Birchen and get a good Black roo. At least then your pullets might be worth something.

 

[Jharper]

Do you want a bunch of all black birds? If so why bother with the Birchen and get a good Black roo. At least then your pullets might be worth something.

I mean it's just a project I want to start.

 

[Twizzlebee]

I hate to see them go, but love to watch them leave <3

I have 5 eggs from this pair in the bator, I can't wait to have a flock full of butts like these <3

 

[ChickenCrazy123]

This is Lily. She was my First cochin ever. I recieved her as a packing peanut in an order from ideal hatchery, to my delight she turned out to be a girl, from day one she was the sweetest chick in the brood. she hopped up in my hand, and sat on my shoulder. when they moved into the big coop outside she still was very sweet, she jumped onto my leg any chance she got and follow me whereever she could. she was my very first broody, and a year and a half later she has raised 5 broods and is on her 6th as we speak. she is still very loving too.
She is the reason I Love cochins so much. She sparked my passion for the breed.

Oh that is so cool . My first Cochin name is Lily also and she is why I love the Cochin breed. She too is what sparked my passion for the breed

she is the reason we are getting more.

this is my Lily she is a little older now