Cochin Thread!!!

[lilcrow]

Heres some pictures of my Cochins! Hatchery stock....but I love them!

almost 11 weeks old








What should I do about this! He keeps picking his feathers out and the other birds do also! Theres no blood.....but the feathers kinda come in and then they are picked out! He took a long time to get the feathers he has in.....

This bird is 11 weeks old? and you're sure it's a male?
This looks like what broody hens do to themselves in preparation for setting.
If that is not the issue than I would guess they are crowded or bored or both. If they can free range that would definitely help, if they can't try giving them more space or fewer birds in what they have. I don't know, the more I think about it, it just doesn't look like crowding or boredom - it REALLY looks like a broody hen.

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

I'm afraid I agree with you. When a wing is that obvious in the closed position, it doesn't bode well.

Bummer that they have spilt wing. I got them from Duane Urch so I expected better quality. Oh well. I still have a buff pullet and cockerel from Duane with good wing carriage so hopefully things will be better with those two. Although, I have noticed wing issues a lot with Duane's birds. Last year I had a black bantam Cochin from him who almost draged his wings on the ground. I got rid of him, but will have to watch the offspring with the two I have left.

Buff bantam cockerel

 

[Retrieverluvr]

This bird is 11 weeks old? and you're sure it's a male?
This looks like what broody hens do to themselves in preparation for setting.
If that is not the issue than I would guess they are crowded or bored or both. If they can free range that would definitely help, if they can't try giving them more space or fewer birds in what they have. I don't know, the more I think about it, it just doesn't look like crowding or boredom - it REALLY looks like a broody hen.

Yes 11 weeks old. Fairly sure its a Roo. His back never really got feathers...and the little ones he had he would pick at. Hes the only one like this in the entire flock. The rest of the birds are all fully feathered and nobody is picking on anybody. There isnt a nest in sight and theres no place to hide.

Should I get those saddles to cover the area to keep him from picking at it? do those work?

The coop is almost done...but the area they are in is spacious and they are put out in pens outside a few times a week.

 

[cieraphoto]

 Yes 11 weeks old. Fairly sure its a Roo. His back never really got feathers...and the little ones he had he would pick at. Hes the only one like this in the entire flock. The rest of the birds are all fully feathered and nobody is picking on anybody. There isnt a nest in sight and theres no place to hide.


Should I get those saddles to cover the area to keep him from picking at it? do those work?

 
The coop is almost done...but the area they are in is spacious and they are put out in pens outside a few times a week.

I have 3 eleven week old cockerels that looked like that about 2 weeks ago before I separated them from everyone else. Their feathers are growing in nicely now. I would suggest separating him until some of those feathers grow back.

 

[lilcrow]

Bummer that they have spilt wing. I got them from Duane Urch so I expected better quality. Oh well. I still have a buff pullet and cockerel from Duane with good wing carriage so hopefully things will be better with those two. Although, I have noticed wing issues a lot with Duane's birds. Last year I had a black bantam Cochin from him who almost draged his wings on the ground. I got rid of him, but will have to watch the offspring with the two I have left.

Buff bantam cockerel

Have you considered getting birds from someone else?

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

Have you considered getting birds from someone else?

I have looked into it, yes. Ideally I want white frizzle bantams, but the person in my area who has them hasn't been to any shows lately so I haven't been able to talk to her. The Cochins from him with spilt wing will be going to 4-H kids as showmanship birds, so I'm confident they will have good homes.

 

[lilcrow]

I have 3 eleven week old cockerels that looked like that about 2 weeks ago before I separated them from everyone else. Their feathers are growing in nicely now. I would suggest separating him until some of those feathers grow back.

I agree with that. Whatever is going on with this guy it's pretty unusual in my book. I would NEVER let this bird reproduce. There are some folks that think increased protein can help with feather picking, you might try giving him mealworms or dry cat food.

 

[AndyCap]

Thoughts on the color pattern of this bantam cochin? I'm pretty sure it's a roo-- or a REALLY dominant hen.

Not sure, looks to have some silver pencilled in him/her though.

 

[Jharper]

Thoughts on the color pattern of this bantam cochin? I'm pretty sure it's a roo-- or a REALLY dominant hen.

A really dominant hen!

 

[Breella]

A really dominant hen!

May I ask why? I am trying to gather as much knowledge as I can.