Cochin Thread!!!

[serenityNH]

Hi All!

I have a question about my Cochin's and was hoping to get some input? I have 4 -14 week old Cochins, one I am sure is a cockerel one I am sure is a pullet but my two splash I am still confused about. Anyway, they are the most timid, unfriendliest birds I have and I don't know what to do? I was so excited to get Cochins for their wonderful friendly temperament and am now so disappointed that these birds won't let me go anywhere near them. I have had them since they were 4 weeks old, when I brought them home they were the same as they are now, I have tried everything to try and win them over but nothing seems to work. All my other chickens are super friendly and genuinely seem to enjoy my company and I just don't understand why my Cochin's dislike me so much? Occasionally I try to hold them when they go to roost since they are all calm and quiet and they'll completely flip out and peck me, you would think I was torturing them.

I don't think they were ever held as chicks and I question whether or not they were cared for well at all. I am assuming this has something to do with their unfriendliness?
Is there any hope of eventually winning these birds over where I can actually handle them? Or are they always going to be so unfriendly?

It's such a shame they are so beautiful with all their fluff, it would be so nice to actually be able to hold and pet them.

Here is a picture of them. Feel free to guess the sex of the splash cochins!

Thanks!!

 

[Funky Feathers]

Here is a really pretty Roo I am selling (BST section), he is out of a Mille Fleur Roo and a Lavender hen. I don't know what color you would call him, but he is very pretty with nice type. Maybe someone on here can use him in their breeding program?

 

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
I'm no expert, but they both look like cockerells to me. As far as their disposition, you might try putting them in isolation for a while till you work with them some more. Someplace where they will get a lot more exposure to you during the day. In the kitchen comes to mind, but I am not serious.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
Ah, Posey! So nice to hear from you! I thought about you the other day when someone asked me for more LF Cochin hens.
I am so glad you have some chicks! I bet they are adorable! Can't wait to see photos. I am sure Cezanne is being a good papa. Chicks used to run around under his feet all the time and he was great with them. I sure miss that beautiful boy and the girls that you got with him. They are a gorgeous flock, imho.
Cochin roos can be snots when they are babies. Fearless little kids and crow way too early. In another few weeks he will start bothering the ladies and not know why!

We have fought blasted mites here all spring and summer. I am so tired of it. Just when I think I have it cleared up it is time to treat again. For pete's sake! I have way too much wood and they are on the ground too much, I suppose. Oh well, I am glad it is somewhat manageable though.

 

[posey]

Hi serenityNH:
I am not an expert either but I have giant cochins and I love them dearly.
They could both be cockerels but I think the one on the right must be.
He has the stance of a roo and is larger than what looks to be a blue hen behind him.

My current roo is a love for sure but I can't take the credit for his disposition - that goes to Amy of West Knoll Farm in SC.
Our previous roo was HUGE and I worked with him a lot. Treats worked with him cause he LOVED to eat.
If I had snacks he would come running straight for me and eat out of my hand but wasn't real keen on being picked up and held.
If I could catch him, then I could hold him. It's the same with my current roo but I can pick him up off of the roost.

I agree with the previous poster about isolating them and spending some time with them.
I would try the treats - cucumber, squash, strawberries, grapes, sunflower seeds, meal worms.

I have been told that the roos who don't enjoy being handled usually make better protectors and mates with the hens.
I can live with that I just can't live with roos that charge me and view me as a rival to attack to the death.
But cochins generally don't have that agressive temperment.
Your birds are lovely and I hope things work out for you.

 

[posey]

Amy I have been fighting the mites here too. What is with that?
I had to dip everyone because nothing else was working. Not even eprinex.
All of my girls had little sores on their vents from the nasty little buggers.
And they were breaking off their feathers I was worried sick.

Then they all started to molt and lost weight.
I will be so glad when the molt is over and everyone starts to gain back the weight.

We are hatching out silkies today, so far 3 have hatched out and are fine. I died in a zipped shell and I still have 3 eggs with nothing happening.
I know they have chicks in them but they aren't pipping yet.
I need them to hurry up cause we have to go out of town tomorrow. LOL

It was good to chat Have a Great Holiday
P

 

[serenityNH]

Thanks for the advice Posey and Ivywoods.

That is one thing I didn't do with them that I regret is isolate them when I first brought them home. I introduced them to my girls right away as they were all the same age. I soon realized that it was a mistake I had made and wished I had kept them separate so they could have gotten use to me by themselves. But if you guys don't think it's too late I can certainly try that now!

The four Cochin's all stay together in their own little group, is this normal? They get along with all the other chickens just fine but the four of them never separate and seem to have their own little click. When I bought them I also bought a Black Orpington that was raised with them, he intermingles with everyone very well so it's kind of funny that the Cochins just stay together.

I am thinking they (the splash) are cockerels too. Their comb and wattles are no where near the size of my Blue Cochin cockeral and he is mounting the girls and the splash aren't showing any roo signs which is throwing me off. The splash are also my smallest of all my chickens at least a pound lighter then my Blue Cochins, are they just maturing really slow and that is why they aren't showing roo traits? Could they be bantams?

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks!

Oh, I love the name Posey kind of funny one of my splash Cochins is named Posey!

 

[thecochincoop]

I have birds that need to go asap!! normal price is $80 a pair but i'm selling BQ for $40 and SQ for $60

 

[posey]

Quote:
Gosh your roo in the avatar is AWESOME!!! What a handsome boy.
Wish I live closer to you but it's a little too far to go from near Wilmington NC

 

[posey]

serenityNH

Don't fret, just try some things and see how they do.
They are very handsome and I love the coloring.

I don't think it is unusual for younger birds to want to stay together.
As they grow some just seem to feel more comfortable with a bird that they have been around since they were very young.
It also helps them when the older birds want to peck at the younger ones.

I am honored you have a hen named Posey, even though you didn't name her after me.

Good Luck!