Cochin Thread!!!

[davony's chicks]

This morning I woke to find 2 chicks dead because the light bulb had burnt out after 11 PM last night. I quickly got heat over the survivors and made something that should make sure this does not happen again. Light bulbs will burn out at the most inopportune moments so I wired this so both should be on at all times. In the 2nd socket I screwed in a dusk to dawn Photo eye socket that will turn on the light when it gets dark like when the other bulb burns out. Now if a bulb burns out the plan is to move the oldest bulb to 1st socket and install new bulb in the photo eye. Sorry that I lost 2 chicks but hope this solution will save some other chicks in the future. Sorry the pictures are out of order. Whole project only cost about $9.00. Everything was available at my local mega lumberyard electrical department. Will make more of these.


Bottom picture shows normal operating bulb with the other in reserve.

The top picture shows that the light came on when the 1st bulb was inoperative.

Happy to hear you put your plan in action Craig. Sorry you lost babies but at least this wont happen again.
I was lucky and got an early preview of this from Craig. thanks for sharing Craig!

I woke up this morning to find some little babiiieeessss!!!!!!!!

Congatulatins! Cute baby poking his head out!

a nice theme for yesterday

 

[Funky Feathers]

I just got this AWESOME Splash boy (bantam) from The Cochin Coop (Mandy). Definitely an upgrade from the one I had.

 

[countrygirl74]

I have a couple questions as a first-time Cochin owner. I have one blue cochin in my "grow-out" pen right now with a bunch of other new ones that I will be adding to my current small flock when they are old enough.
I am hoping she is still a pullet, but some things are starting to worry me. I will post a picture of her next week when she is 6 weeks old as that seems to be a good time to tell. But, in the meantime, I thought I would ask...
She seems to be a bit bossy, does some chest bumping and some pecking - definitely showing signs of her being the head hen of this group if not a roo. She is also starting to show tiny little waddles - not much of a comb though, and the comb that is there is not red. I think it's just her behavior and waddles that have me wondering. She is 5 weeks tomorrow. Any thoughts? I know different breeds will show different signs at different times and since I don't know much about cochins, I thought I would ask.

 

[ki4got]

I have a couple questions as a first-time Cochin owner. I have one blue cochin in my "grow-out" pen right now with a bunch of other new ones that I will be adding to my current small flock when they are old enough.
I am hoping she is still a pullet, but some things are starting to worry me. I will post a picture of her next week when she is 6 weeks old as that seems to be a good time to tell. But, in the meantime, I thought I would ask...
She seems to be a bit bossy, does some chest bumping and some pecking - definitely showing signs of her being the head hen of this group if not a roo. She is also starting to show tiny little waddles - not much of a comb though, and the comb that is there is not red. I think it's just her behavior and waddles that have me wondering. She is 5 weeks tomorrow. Any thoughts? I know different breeds will show different signs at different times and since I don't know much about cochins, I thought I would ask.

bantam cochin roos tend to get pink comb/wattles fairly quickly, usually by 3-4 weeks old IMO. if the comb is NOT pink/red, i don't think i'd worry... but that's not always a guarantee. LOL

here are a few of my mille fleur bantam cochins at about that age, you can tell pretty easy...
from the same hatch, the 3 pullets in the first one, a cockerel in the second...



and this same cockerel, at 4 months old. his cushion's filled in even more in the last 2 months...
"Kepiru" is definitely sticking around. and yes, his red really is that deep...
might be worth trying on some of my red-ish girls. 8)

 

[Sanna]

bantam cochin roos tend to get pink comb/wattles fairly quickly, usually by 3-4 weeks old IMO. if the comb is NOT pink/red, i don't think i'd worry... but that's not always a guarantee. LOL

here are a few of my mille fleur bantam cochins at about that age, you can tell pretty easy...
from the same hatch, the 3 pullets in the first one, a cockerel in the second...



and this same cockerel, at 4 months old. his cushion's filled in even more in the last 2 months...
"Kepiru" is definitely sticking around. and yes, his red really is that deep...
might be worth trying on some of my red-ish girls. 8)

I'm saving these pictures on my computer for when I start hatching so I'll know what's what!

I've had Silkies for a few years and it takes forever to tell the gender. This year I'll hatch my first Cochin bantams and I'm not a 100% sure what to expect...or to look for.

I guess I'll learn soon enough.

 

[AndyCap]

I'm saving these pictures on my computer for when I start hatching so I'll know what's what!

I've had Silkies for a few years and it takes forever to tell the gender. This year I'll hatch my first Cochin bantams and I'm not a 100% sure what to expect...or to look for.

I guess I'll learn soon enough.

Another thing i have noticed, is the boys tend to feather in a bit slower then the girls. You can usually make an accurate guess at 2 weeks, and will know for certain at 4 weeks in general.

I have had a few that have combs like girls, but the wattles are more pronounced in the little boys. Once again, usually by 2 - 3 weeks. After that, it is very obvious. This year was also my first cochin hatching year. Good luck and post pics when you get them.

 

[Sanna]

Another thing i have noticed, is the boys tend to feather in a bit slower then the girls. You can usually make an accurate guess at 2 weeks, and will know for certain at 4 weeks in general.

I have had a few that have combs like girls, but the wattles are more pronounced in the little boys. Once again, usually by 2 - 3 weeks. After that, it is very obvious. This year was also my first cochin hatching year. Good luck and post pics when you get them.

Thank you, I will remember this.

And definitely will post pictures when I have chicks....if I'll ever have any. My white hen hasn't started laying eggs yet!

She must be on strike...or she's letting the PQ splash hen do all the work.

 

[ki4got]

ok, i found this ad on craigslist today...
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/grd/3724329009.html
wondering if anyone knows who he might be, and/or any comments about the cochins he posted pics of?
(and yes, i know lavender = self blue...)

 

[ducklingsweety]

bantam cochin roos tend to get pink comb/wattles fairly quickly, usually by 3-4 weeks old IMO. if the comb is NOT pink/red, i don't think i'd worry... but that's not always a guarantee. LOL

here are a few of my mille fleur bantam cochins at about that age, you can tell pretty easy...
from the same hatch, the 3 pullets in the first one, a cockerel in the second...



and this same cockerel, at 4 months old. his cushion's filled in even more in the last 2 months...
"Kepiru" is definitely sticking around. and yes, his red really is that deep...
might be worth trying on some of my red-ish girls. 8)

my goodness they are some cute birds!

 

[ki4got]

my goodness they are some cute birds!

thanks. i think it's one of my favorite varieties, if only for the variety of colors. sold some of my buff columbian (and blue-buff columbian) pullets today at a swap. the little girl was SO excited to get them. they are just so friendly and lovable (all cochins IMO).