Cochin Thread!!!

[Coopa Cabana]

Open Letter to Everyone:

STOP THIS MADNESS!!

We go thru this on this thread every 30 - 45 days, and I'll bet most all the other breed threads do as well. We're here on the Cochin thread because of our mutual love of Cochins - whether in the backyard or the showhall . . . that does not mean that we all have to love our Cochins in the same way, or that we all must have the same expectations of the futures of our flocks, or that we all have to use the same feed, or practice the same breeding techniques.

This thread is several years old, and has almost 9,000 posts.
As much as I'd often love to tell new people to go back and read the thread - we've been over this 50 times before; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd love to punch my monitor half a dozen times a day when some asks about nonsense crosses; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd love to slap some people who post pictures and ask what we think - but all they really want to hear is that they have the next Crossroads Grand Champion; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd like to tell people how to correctly spell "cockerel"; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd like to pound into folks heads to quit referring to their Self Blues as Lavenders; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd love to tell people to ask their question again after they've read their SOP; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd throw eggs at those looking for show quality eggs; I take a deep breath.
As much as I'd like to expertly, and immediately, answer every single question on this thread - I'm only human - not a computer; I have take a deep breath.

Please Everyone - Just Take a Deep Breath!

~Gail

 

[Funky Feathers]

It doesn't offend me, Craig. I like to think I am a nice person here too. I will help anyone I can, and may ask a question here and there as well. I'm not sure where I fit in (not a Newbie but not a Pro either). I have been breeding chickens and ducks since 2002 (10 years), but only really concentrated on Cochins in 2007 when I got fed up with Silkies. I have an APA SOP and I read it when I have time. I am trying to learn about genetics from Sonoran Silkies and George Mihalik. A lot of my knowledge is from trial and error, much faster than book learning, though both are good. I do show once or twice a year but I do not have the "show attitude". I treat people as I would like to be treated, no matter who they are. I breed for type, color and feather quality and sell the rest as pets. I would like to be considered a respectable breeder, but certainly not an expert. I feel we continue to learn throughout our lives.

 

[samouw]

You know what irritates me? You ask for help and you get ignored. I'm a newbie. I am not showing, but I want to. My kids want to. And I get no help when I ask about my birds.

As I made clear in a private PM, it seems you bigger, well known breeders don't want anyone else to own nice birds, learn about Cochins or be any kind of competition. Like I said, I am a newbie, I have asked for help and got nothing but snarky replies or totally ignored. Ignored seems to be the #1 answer. It's not just this forum, but the other one, too.

I will admit, I don't read everything that gets posted. I figure if I don't read it, I can't be offended. What does offend me, I ignore - it seems to be the trend around here.

Amy, you have been very nice to everyone I see you communicate with. We haven't had any dealing yet, but you know how much I want your Mille blood in my project stock. Your mottleds are gorgeous, imo, too. I wish everyone was more like you.

Amen!

I am not a breeder, and I'm not going to show my chickens. They are more pets than anything else and I enjoy having (and giving away) fresh eggs. I love to just sit in the pen and watch the chickens. "Chick TV" is far more entertaining than most of what is available on TV these days, anyway.

So I come to this site to proudly share pics of my latest acquisitions - strictly as a backyard chicken owner - and either get ignored or told "You can't breed that!" - though I never mentioned anything about breeding that. I breed, train, and have (successfully) shown purebred Arabian horses, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. If I wanted a lesson in ethics or genetics, I would go to one of those breeding sites. I thought this site was about and for those of us who do want to learn more about our chickens, but not necessarily interested in showing or breeding stock? While I appreciate the depth of knowledge those who do breed and show (as well as the opportunity to get really nice chicks from them from time to time), I do wish there was a little more mentoring and sharing and a little less condemnation.

Thank you. I will step down from my soapbox and let someone else take their turn.

 

[tiki244]

Hi all! Glad to get it all

hatched out.

Amy I have 'spoken' to you before and enjoyed our pm conversation. And others on here I do enjoy the knowledge you share.

I will try to remember to spell cockerel with an e and not an

a.
Craig I hope you don't fly the coop.

Its a good day here!

~~~Peace~~~

~~~~~Kris (not a complete newbie~~~ lol)

PS Talking on a computer can be tricky especially if you are not used to it. It is sometimes hard to understand the true meaning of what someone is trying to convey.

 

[Pault76]

My wife picked up 6 chicks the other day at the feed store and this one is lighter then the other ones. What color will it be? Its the chick in my avatar I can't figure out how to post pics.

Thanks
Paul

 

[Green Chicken]

I have just finished reading this entire thread from page one and would like to say that you guys have given me a wealth of information more so than any book could ever given. Your critiques of other peoples pictures have helped me identify the things I want and do not want in my birds. The Knowledge all of YOU guys give, is a present to all of us just starting, to be able to see it from the very many different perspective and ideas helps you find your way. It is a great balance and when one of you do not know something another one fills in the gaps.
I guess what I am trying to say is THANK YOU ALL for sharing your experience with me, it is appreciated.

 

[Gypsylion]

I have just finished reading this entire thread from page one and would like to say that you guys have given me a wealth of information more so than any book could ever given. Your critiques of other peoples pictures have helped me identify the things I want and do not want in my birds. The Knowledge all of YOU guys give, is a present to all of us just starting, to be able to see it from the very many different perspective and ideas helps you find your way. It is a great balance and when one of you do not know something another one fills in the gaps.
I guess what I am trying to say is THANK YOU ALL for sharing your experience with me, it is appreciated.

Ditto! Especially for those of us who don't have the benefit or opportunity to find someone to mentor us in person (I live in the city, don't have a car, and thus only occasionally make it to shows/swaps), this forum is the best option we have for a way to get a bit more feedback than a book.

So thank you for all the info I've gained over the years! I can only hope that I'll eventually give back in some way. <3!

 

[Reyvaughn]

$75-$100 per hen?? Geez, who is asking that much? I have nice quality Cochins (Splash & Mille Fleur), and I sell good BQ for $45-$50 per hen. Maybe $60 at the most if it is an exceptional bird. And I don't bite, lol.

Tom wanted $75 for black LF breeder quality hens last fall. His bantams were between, if I remember correctly, $30-75 last summer (breeders in rough looking breeding shape). I have seen people here on BYC asking $100 for a bantam hen. I didn't even think they were that nice.

I have just finished reading this entire thread from page one and would like to say that you guys have given me a wealth of information more so than any book could ever given.

I wish I had the time to read almost 9000 post. Good for you!

 

[Green Chicken]

I have been lurking and reading the thread for a long time. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to sit down and read for as long as you wanted.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Paul - I'm sorry, but I don't recognize that chick down, but I'm sure someone (if there's anyone left) will be on and be able to help you identify it. Please post a pic in another week or so - they change so quickly, so if we're stumped now, perhaps in a week or so we'll have an answer.

Green Chicken - welcome to the thread!

Gypsylion - welcome, and you have the right attitude - we should always pay it forward when we can.



~Gail