Cochin Thread!!!

[homeschoolchick]

They are absolutely beautiful!

 

[bantam cochin connoisseur]

I totally agree with what the retired biologist mibirder says, "Creating a "new color" should be more like making a cake rather than blind mixing. Perfecting the cake (or color) comes from tweaking the recipe, baking lots of cakes, and eating lots of less perfect cakes until you get it right!"

You see when I started this project I did not start with just any old yard birds. I started with the best cochins, from proven show bloodlines with the goal to create quality Crele cochins. What I have learned in this Crele project is that I did continually tweak the genetic recipe so to speak to make these birds; improve the birds genotype & phototype. The key to the whole thing is that through continued tweaking I figured out what the "recipe" is to create these birds.

Regarding the "new colors" discussion.

As a biologist (retired), its more about the genetics rather than just the coloration. Much of what's known about color genetics has come out of European genetics projects that are focused on the color genes rather than on standard colors. In fact, many times, there is some disregard for the breeds involved in crosses as long as the specific genes are being used to understand how the color is being produced. Many of these "mutts" provide critical understanding for breed and variety specific breeding down the road.

The downside is when folks just put together any combinations to see what they get rather than select good stock, predict what they should get, and "check" their prediction with the breeding rather than the other way around. Creating a "new color" should be more like making a cake rather than blind mixing. Perfecting the cake (or color) comes from tweaking the recipe, baking lots of cakes, and eating lots of less perfect cakes until you get it right!

 

[lilcrow]

Well, I absolutely LOVE your birds and it is clear that you have worked hard on perfectly them, there is nothing "thrown together" about them. I have a very good friend "Big Medicine" who developed the Silver Laced Brahma. Because I have spent many many hours talking with him about his work I am well aware of what goes into developing a variety. Gary has been approx. 20 yrs working on his SL and they show it, yours also give evidence to the hard work that has gone into them. I personally am grateful to you for developing this fantastic variety. Do you have any plans to have them accepted by APA or ABA?

The color I have been working on for the past three years is Crele. These birds are partridge and barred. I read in a genetics book that partridge x barred would make Crele. I will leave it to the experts to discount the genetics of these birds. The fact is I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and the eye candy I am able to view every day. I enjoy cochins, that is all there is to it.

 

[lilcrow]

I couldn't agree more with you Gail and Twyla about #4, that is also a pet peeve of mine. I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers but it is like fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear, "What would I get if I cross......." I have to sit on my hands to keep from replying, "A chicken."

Well said Gail~ I especially agree with your pet peeve #4: while I agree that breeders should be able to attempt any "project" breed; I disagree that someone should just start throwing birds together to "see" what they get. I think if a breeder has a specific goal in mind and they spend their time and money to acheive that goal, I don't see a problem with that. I have seen birds from the UK that are drop dead gorgeous, recognized breeds that we don't have here in the US, I would absolutely love to see chocolates here someday. I was actually trying to get information at one point on trying to start a project on chocolates but when I posted the question on CI, I was promptly chewed out by a member and just let it go at that. I don't understand why some breeders are so against these new projects?

 

[wildwoodcochins]

I couldn't agree more with you Gail and Twyla about #4, that is also a pet peeve of mine. I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers but it is like fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear, "What would I get if I cross......." I have to sit on my hands to keep from replying, "A chicken."

 

[swheat]

The color I have been working on for the past three years is Crele. These birds are partridge and barred. I read in a genetics book that partridge x barred would make Crele. I will leave it to the experts to discount the genetics of these birds. The fact is I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and the eye candy I am able to view every day. I enjoy cochins, that is all there is to it.

I most certainly fall into the "Projects category" breeder and I am very proud of it. bantam cochin connoisseur keep doing what you are doing !!! as long are you stay focused on your goal you will get there, DON"T let anyone discourage you ! Your bird are looking good, keep up the good work. We may need to exchange birds later down the road as I am also working on Barred Partridge and quite a few other "PROJECTS" I might add.

 

[wildwoodcochins]

I most certainly fall into the "Projects category" breeder and I am very proud of it. bantam cochin connoisseur keep doing what you are doing !!! as long are you stay focused on your goal you will get there, DON"T let anyone discourage you ! Your bird are looking good, keep up the good work.

We may need to exchange birds later down the road as I am also working on Barred Partridge and quite a few other "PROJECTS" I might add.

Bantam Cochin Connoisseur~ I Like that!

 

[bantam cochin connoisseur]

Let me make it clear, I do show blacks, blues, mottles & whites because we all know that is the only thing that will ever consistently place at a show. Although for showing purposes I am currently devoting myself just to blacks and whites. I do also enjoy taking on a project on occasion, but only if you are going to end up with typey birds when you are done. Keeping black and white cochins around helps you to fine tune where you want to go with any variety you are currently working on.

 

[wildwoodcochins]

Let me make it clear, I do show blacks, blues, mottles & whites because we all know that is the only thing that will ever consistently place at a show. Although for showing purposes I am currently devoting myself just to blacks and whites. I do also enjoy taking on a project on occasion, but only if you are going to end up with typey birds when you are done. Keeping black and white cochins around helps you to fine tune where you want to go with any variety you are currently working on.

I absolutely agree with you, we still need a solid foundation, without that we can't go very far~
BTW, I love the white roo in your avatar, he is absolutely gorgeous~

 

[lilcrow]

Excellent point connoisseur, I'm not too much into the Blacks and Whites, but for that reason I definitely see their benefit in any ones flock.

Let me make it clear, I do show blacks, blues, mottles & whites because we all know that is the only thing that will ever consistently place at a show. Although for showing purposes I am currently devoting myself just to blacks and whites. I do also enjoy taking on a project on occasion, but only if you are going to end up with typey birds when you are done. Keeping black and white cochins around helps you to fine tune where you want to go with any variety you are currently working on.