Cochin Thread!!!

[brahmabreeder]

I purchased a pair of black cochin bantams from a show this weekend.

There are 2 things that I don't like about them; they both have split beasts and the rooster's wings are loose. They were otherwise very nice and the breeder said he'd sell them to me for $50. He ensured me that I would be able to breed away from the split breasts, but now I'm starting to wonder.

Is it possible for 2 parents with split breasts to produce offspring with full breasts?

Split breast? What's that?

 

[8machines]

I want some Buff Cochin chicks next spring.

 

[cochins1088]

Is there any pic ? I'd like to see them.

I don't have any pictures yet, but I can try to take a couple later today.

Split breast? What's that?

There is a vertical line that separates the breast feathers into 2 halves. I wasn't sure what to call it.

 

[cochins1088]

You can tell that I'm very new to this... I just looked closer and they both have willow legs. The breeder showed me that the bottoms of their feet were yellow so I assumed they had yellow legs, but nope, their legs and toes are a dark greenish gray. Their combs aren't as nice as I thought they were and their hock feathers are fairly long. They aren't stiff like vulture hocks, but they seem longer than they should be. They also have low wing carriages.

If I remember correctly, willow legs is a disqualification and the splits breasts and low wing carriages are considered defects.

This breeder had a black cochin bantam on champion row. He told me this pair would be great breeder birds and I listened. I wish I would have looked more closely and researched more. I'll do a test breeding, but they'll probably end up as pretty pets. I'm disappointed, but it's a lessoned learned.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

You can tell that I'm very new to this... I just looked closer and they both have willow legs. The breeder showed me that the bottoms of their feet were yellow so I assumed they had yellow legs, but nope, their legs and toes are a dark greenish gray. Their combs aren't as nice as I thought they were and their hock feathers are fairly long. They aren't stiff like vulture hocks, but they seem longer than they should be. They also have low wing carriages.

If I remember correctly, willow legs is a disqualification and the splits breasts and low wing carriages are considered defects.

This breeder had a black cochin bantam on champion row. He told me this pair would be great breeder birds and I listened. I wish I would have looked more closely and researched more. I'll do a test breeding, but they'll probably end up as pretty pets. I'm disappointed, but it's a lessoned learned.

You got good leg color on the birds you bought if you have yellow feet and the legs are not willow. Legs and toes on blacks can be what is described as "swarthy yellow". You will see both black and yellow on the legs and top of the toes and yellow on the bottom of the feet. Just breed a bird that is strong in the area these boys are weak in and you will get some keepers.!

Willow is not desired but is not a DQ. White is the only DQ on feet everything else is a deduction.

 

[Jharper]

Hey, what color are birchen cochin bantams legs supposed to look like?

 

[1TurkenLover]

You can tell that I'm very new to this... I just looked closer and they both have willow legs. The breeder showed me that the bottoms of their feet were yellow so I assumed they had yellow legs, but nope, their legs and toes are a dark greenish gray. Their combs aren't as nice as I thought they were and their hock feathers are fairly long. They aren't stiff like vulture hocks, but they seem longer than they should be. They also have low wing carriages.

If I remember correctly, willow legs is a disqualification and the splits breasts and low wing carriages are considered defects.

This breeder had a black cochin bantam on champion row. He told me this pair would be great breeder birds and I listened. I wish I would have looked more closely and researched more. I'll do a test breeding, but they'll probably end up as pretty pets. I'm disappointed, but it's a lessoned learned.

DING ! this is my stop as well

we've all been new sometimes, Live and learn, enjoy the hobby, Research. . . I've found lots of knowledge here, a few misinformation as well.

Believe half of what you learn . . . . and the rest with a grain of salt.

 

[cochins1088]

Quote:
Thanks for the explanation. Your description of leg color seems to fit these birds. I'll try to take pictures to confirm.

Would I be able to breed away from the splits breasts? Or do I need to find a bird without this defect?

I was probably over-analyzing them this morning. I'm in love with the pair and I'm more than willing to work with them.

 

[Fancy Feathers]

You can breed away from split breast but not with another bird who has split breast..

 

[cochins1088]

You can breed away from split breast but not with another bird who has split breast..

Thank-you. So if I want to breed them, than I should find another pair without the defect and cross split breast to smooth. Of course, I'd only do this if the ones with split breasts were otherwise better than the ones without the defect.

There seems to be very little information on split breasts in cochins.