Cochin Thread!!!

[mibirder]

Craig et al

My interest in Cochins is mainly in the genetics (rather than showing) especially for the pattern colors. I only returned to chicken keeping after I retired as I was in and out of the US while working. Since starting back up I have been working to understand not only the type, but genetics of the laced varieties mainly working to establish breeding pens for Brown Red and Lemon Blues - gold and silver laced are down the road. There are two issues I've come across.

First, there are very few sources for established birds in these rare colors and some are pseudo colors such as the buff x blue crosses passed as Lemon Blues. If one has the knowledge and most importantly time, the rare colors can be recreated from the ingredient genes but that is a very long. But interesting road to walk.

Second, it doesn't happen often, but there has been a few Cochin elitists who are much less than helpful when replying to questions or requests for help. While likely unintended, these folks have been less encouraging then they have been helpful. Understand not everyone, but it only takes one or two critical replies to turn off those of us who are still beginners in their eyes. This is especially evident with the "what should I do" questions. Replying with "you need to read the standard of and by itself isn't much of an answer!

Someday my birds may reach show worthiness, but if not, that's ok too as I'm able to learn a lot about their genetics for type and color and i enjoy that fact by itself without any showing.

Dave

 

[Coopa Cabana]

I love that you are posting an interesting thoughtful intelligent group of replies to my "more random thoughts" post.

I am not and was not rying to suggest that anyone is not doing their part. It was just an observation that some varieties REALLY need our focus and care. I do have Columbians,Buff Colymbians,Silver Penciled (thanks to a dear friend), Birchen, and some silver laced hens but no rooster. Still looking for a SL Rooster. Please keep me in mind if you spot a decent SL Rooster. I also have some Partridge but would not be spreading them around much because of willow legs on most of the hens. Males all have yellow legs. I was trying to suggest the varieties I listed earlier need work in areas that would bring them closer to the SOP. That was shown in the responses I saw. Love you folks!

Craig

I think willow legs in the females may have to do with the pattern gene. It also occurs in Golden Laced.

Any one else experience willow legs in the females and not in the males?

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Craig et al

Second, it doesn't happen often, but there has been a few Cochin elitists who are much less than helpful when replying to questions or requests for help. While likely unintended, these folks have been less encouraging then they have been helpful. Understand not everyone, but it only takes one or two critical replies to turn off those of us who are still beginners in their eyes. This is especially evident with the "what should I do" questions. Replying with "you need to read the standard of and by itself isn't much of an answer!

Someday my birds may reach show worthiness, but if not, that's ok too as I'm able to learn a lot about their genetics for type and color and i enjoy that fact by itself without any showing.

Dave

Dave, I do understand what you are saying, and there are certainly some forums that are turning folks off that are seriously trying to learn. On other forums, I often find myself typing and re-typing and then re-typing again my questions so I don't sound like a total idiot and solicit the responses you're referring to. I, too, learned that the hard way - running away from the forum in the beginning with my tail between my legs.

But having said that, I also believe that buying the Standard of Perfection or Bantam Standard is equally important as in initial investment in your flock as buying that first pair or trio.
It's going to make following the discussions so much easier when you have an SOP in hand to refer to. And I've never encountered any rude or elitist responses on any forum or from any breeder when asking them to help me interpret a particular point in the SOP.

NO ONE should let one or two bad apples spoil your enjoyment of our hobby, and don't let those folks deter you from other forums. There are still so very, very many others that are always friendly and willing to help.

Joining your favorite Breed Club (Cochins International, for example!!) is a great way for everyone to get involved and learn more. Volunteer at your local shows. Even if you can volunteer to man the Club table for just an hour or two, or help with the raffle or auction - it's a great way to meet other breeders and make new friends!

~Gail

 

[chicknadventure]

Dave, I do understand what you are saying, and there are certainly some forums that are turning folks off that are seriously trying to learn. On other forums, I often find myself typing and re-typing and then re-typing again my questions so I don't sound like a total idiot and solicit the responses you're referring to. I, too, learned that the hard way - running away from the forum in the beginning with my tail between my legs.

But having said that, I also believe that buying the Standard of Perfection or Bantam Standard is equally important as in initial investment in your flock as buying that first pair or trio.
It's going to make following the discussions so much easier when you have an SOP in hand to refer to. And I've never encountered any rude or elitist responses on any forum or from any breeder when asking them to help me interpret a particular point in the SOP.

NO ONE should let one or two bad apples spoil your enjoyment of our hobby, and don't let those folks deter you from other forums. There are still so very, very many others that are always friendly and willing to help.

Joining your favorite Breed Club (Cochins International, for example!!) is a great way for everyone to get involved and learn more. Volunteer at your local shows. Even if you can volunteer to man the Club table for just an hour or two, or help with the raffle or auction - it's a great way to meet other breeders and make new friends!

~Gail

as a newbie, thank you for one of the most helpful and insightful posts directed to those of us who are trying to learn as much as they can as fast as they can. I didn't do 4H in school, I am a grown adult as well, so I am more ignorant than probably the average 17 yr old 4H'er and their parents, but it's a HOBBY that I enjoy, and if I do something good, then I will be happy. Part of the fun is the challenge, so learning from people who understand chicken genes so that I dont make a franken-cochin lol!

Another member directed me to the cochin int board to learn standards (see, I didn't even know where to find it!) and now, I would love to find a book that explains genetics in chickens, as I am SURE you guys can grow tired of those basic questions.

Thank you, the vast majority have been helpful here.

Now back to chickens

I have read that you breed back from one type to another to improve your color and type and to fix things like leakiness? so I have this rooster, he is from a breeder, not a hatchery, but I wanted to know if you thought he was useful at ALL to work towards a higher quality bantam ( I understand he isn't taking first in show or anything)? He is only about 5 months old-should the rounded butt and back be showing up well at this point? Or is that something that happens later on as they age? I have a female birchen bantam, should I look at something different? Also, would breeding him to a red give you a blue laced red? Or just cause a big mess? and is his comb and legs correct?

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

as a newbie, thank you for one of the most helpful and insightful posts directed to those of us who are trying to learn as much as they can as fast as they can. I didn't do 4H in school, I am a grown adult as well, so I am more ignorant than probably the average 17 yr old 4H'er and their parents, but it's a HOBBY that I enjoy, and if I do something good, then I will be happy. Part of the fun is the challenge, so learning from people who understand chicken genes so that I dont make a franken-cochin lol!

Another member directed me to the cochin int board to learn standards (see, I didn't even know where to find it!) and now, I would love to find a book that explains genetics in chickens, as I am SURE you guys can grow tired of those basic questions.

Thank you, the vast majority have been helpful here.

Now back to chickens

I have read that you breed back from one type to another to improve your color and type and to fix things like leakiness? so I have this rooster, he is from a breeder, not a hatchery, but I wanted to know if you thought he was useful at ALL to work towards a higher quality bantam ( I understand he isn't taking first in show or anything)? He is only about 5 months old-should the rounded butt and back be showing up well at this point? Or is that something that happens later on as they age? I have a female birchen bantam, should I look at something different? Also, would breeding him to a red give you a blue laced red? Or just cause a big mess? and is his comb and legs correct?

Short answer is he is a little too young for me to tell but I would guess no he will not contribute anything. He has good comb, his lacing in front is defined correctly but has shafting,yellow legs/feet which is goodbut would like to see more feathers on 2nd toe, . I can't see him from the side so will stop there. Please post again in 6 weeks with 2 views.How would you describe his eye color?
Craig

 

[chicknadventure]

Short answer is he is a little too young for me to tell but I would guess no he will not contribute anything. He has good comb, his lacing in front is defined correctly but has shafting,hackles too much silver on them,yellow legs/feet which is good, . I can't see him from the side so will stop there. Please post again in 6 weeks with 2 views. I can't tell eye color.

hackles-is that the legs? and what is "shafting"? thanks for the input, I will post again. I have seen lots of "these birds are ideal" photo illustrations, but it helps to also hear the opposite-i am one of those that learns from what not to do, not just what to do.

Should he be rounded already at this age? Or does it take a little longer for that happen, like closer to 9 months?

 

[chicknadventure]

eye color golden or amber. this pic was taken in the coop and it was darkish, so the iris looks a little bigger. His tail may be a little high but his back is short not too short and he has a ton of feathering in the rear and rear belly/butt. I will get another pic in 6 weeks for sure

 

[ki4got]

Quote:

hackles-is that the legs? and what is "shafting"? thanks for the input, I will post again. I have seen lots of "these birds are ideal" photo illustrations, but it helps to also hear the opposite-i am one of those that learns from what not to do, not just what to do.

Should he be rounded already at this age? Or does it take a little longer for that happen, like closer to 9 months?

this image is located at http://files.backyardchickens.com/graphics/chickenparts.gif and does a pretty good job of showing all the terminology.

cochins should have ample feathering down both legs and the middle and outside toes, as craig was mentioning.

the pic is kinda vague about his cushion (butt/tail fluff). if you have another pic more from the side that would show his overall shape much better i think.

my blacks are about 6 months old now, and showing a nice wide cushion. i've posted it before, but this pic was about a month ago and he's filled in more. both the girls are very nice too IMO. i'm pleased with them.

 

[chicknadventure]

karen you are always so helpful. thanks. ok, off to learn the "parts"

 

[chicknadventure]

ok, got hackles now what is shafting? I tried to google it but no dice.