Cochin Thread!!!

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Quote:
If only six months old they still have some growing to do. It is quite possible that the tail/cushion will improve some. I would post this same post on the Large Fowl Cochin Thread. The large fowl experts check in there.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Not to butt in but I really need advice. I have 4 white Cochins, 1 went broody and after a month I took the eggs, none were fertile. I heard some people trim the feathers around the male and females vents for better contact. My son told me feathers have blood supply and are living and I just cant go and cut their feathers. I'd rather have no babies than hurt my chickens. What is the story on this?

Secondly, all 4 of them have poopy rear ends, I am sick of looking at them. Am dreading it but think i'll wash them in the bathtub and keep them on a heat lamp until they are dry. Is this ok? Also, what do I use, shampoo, mild bar soap, what.

Please help me and thanks!

 

[joanie_maine]

Quote:
I'm so tempted by your eggs

But it's getting cold here and I don't trust the Post Office to keep packages in a decent temperature.

I'm filling incubators and I've decided to use every egg I have that doesn't feel too cold when I get to it in the nests.

My house is going to be overloaded with chicks, but maybe decreased fertility and the cold will fix things so I'll have a place to SLEEP!!!

Winter is boring and what else is there to do..

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Actually, feathers are very much like your hair. When they are being grown, there is blood flow to the feathers. Once the feathers are fully in, the blood flow dies down. I prefer to "pluck" the feathers instead of cut, as the poor male...well...would get a prickly sensation when successful. He probably doesn't care, but I know I would.

If you would prefer, you can cut the feather, about half way down the vane. This won't cause blood, but will cause the blood flow to drop off in that feather, which will molt the feather faster or will allow you to pull the feather out easier about a week or two down the road.

If you do get blood, don't worry, it is of minimal loss to the bird and they wreak much more damage on themselves when having those pecking order battles.

 

[Mr. Ree]

Gail,
On the feathering topic. I have noticed with my birds, frizzles especially, that the cockerels tend to be the last to get their cushions. The birds I hatched earlier this year did this. The pullets were the first to get cushions started, right after their wings. The cockerels were late getting their cushions and just started to fill in about 2 weeks ago. The pullets now even have fuller and better cushions than the cockerels. Just something to think about.


~Casey

 

[Funky Feathers]

As far as trimming, I pluck mine, less stubble that way. It only pinches a bit, not that painful. I wash my birds in dog/cat flea shampoo (in case of lice/mites) and towel dry & then blow dry them. They seem to like the blow drying and it is much faster.

 

[just2rosey]

We just got back from my daughter's first sanctioned show. She entered her new cochin pair. She had the only partridge bantam cochins, so she won best in variety.

I am please with how this young pair is maturing. When we purchased them in Sept. the pullet didn't have much of a cushion. Her Ameraucana pullet won Jr Best AOSB.

Her pullet, Loretta.

Her roo, Chin.

 

[rnorris1234]

Quote:
I really only bathe mine when they are really bad, but they really love a bath and the blow dryer. It's a chicken spa day. I also use dog/cat shampoo. I think it is formulated to rinse out easier. I have also used baby shampoo thats mild and "no tears" in case any gets in their eyes. Any way, they seem to love it and the bantams are just the right size for the bathroom sink.

 

[thecochincoop]

I groom dogs and I wash my chickens the same way in the tub with running water and use the dog shampoo. works fine and for conditioner I use fabric softener which makes them soft and they smell good when you're done

 

[dak]

I prefer to trim feathers around the vent and below the tail both for fertility and cleanliness. Plucked feathers just grow back. Trimmed feathers remain short til the next molt. If the feather is mature, you should not encounter any blood.

I use my own shampoo to wash with. I find the laundry detergents some recommend totally strip all the natural oils.