Cochin Thread!!!

[JDchicks]

I was wondering if these are cochins roos.

I have had them awhile with my mixed flock. But I am thinking about starting up a cochin coop. The 2 reds are identical in feathers and build, just one is lighter than the other. And that is not white on the reds, they are just very very shiny. And the white, is very white, but the Alabama red clay makes him look cream.

Also what would their colors be referred as or are they just reds and a white.

Thanks!

 

[bhawk78]

My birds make me happy and I would never consider them useless.

good pic

 

[Blue]

I was wondering if these are cochins roos.

I have had them awhile with my mixed flock. But I am thinking about starting up a cochin coop. The 2 reds are identical in feathers and build, just one is lighter than the other. And that is not white on the reds, they are just very very shiny. And the white, is very white, but the Alabama red clay makes him look cream.

Also what would their colors be referred as or are they just reds and a white.

Thanks!

Those colors would just be called red and white. It's possible they're cochin mixes, but they could be cochins, just maybe from hatchery stock or non-show stock. They have the cochin tails, but their feet aren't quite as fluffy, and they don't look quite as round as most of the cochins I've seen. That being said, foot feathering is something that I don't think should be too hard to improve. Are these standard or bantam cochins? Because the bantams that I've seen tend to look more like little round fluff balls, while the standards tend to be slightly less fluff balls with heads....though not by much.

 

[JDchicks]

Those colors would just be called red and white. It's possible they're cochin mixes, but they could be cochins, just maybe from hatchery stock or non-show stock. They have the cochin tails, but their feet aren't quite as fluffy, and they don't look quite as round as most of the cochins I've seen. That being said, foot feathering is something that I don't think should be too hard to improve. Are these standard or bantam cochins? Because the bantams that I've seen tend to look more like little round fluff balls, while the standards tend to be slightly less fluff balls with heads....though not by much.

Yes, hatchery stock. Got them last year during Tractor Supply Co. Chick Days. They came from the Bantam bin. So i would say bantam. They tend to stand up tall whenever I bring out a camera. Got one of Snowball walking away.

But since I am looking a starting a cochin pen (not for show), should I still look at getting better roos and leave these guys to the mixed flock? Even though I am not going to show, I still would like to have the standard at least.

 

[mindylee]

Yes, hatchery stock. Got them last year during Tractor Supply Co. Chick Days. They came from the Bantam bin. So i would say bantam. They tend to stand up tall whenever I bring out a camera. Got one of Snowball walking away. But since I am looking a starting a cochin pen (not for show), should I still look at getting better roos and leave these guys to the mixed flock? Even though I am not going to show, I still would like to have the standard at least.

I say yeah. If ya like ur boys then keep them. But if lookin to get into the breed, imo try and find better too. I breed for quality bantam cochins here. I by no means have top notch show quality but real close. I started with tsc stock but now buy from ebay or here for hatchin eggs. I now am hooked and LOVE LOVE LOVE my cochins and my stock. Im also getting into quality silkies as well. Ive been bitten by the cochin bug! Lol

 

[Blue]

Yes, hatchery stock. Got them last year during Tractor Supply Co. Chick Days. They came from the Bantam bin. So i would say bantam. They tend to stand up tall whenever I bring out a camera. Got one of Snowball walking away.

But since I am looking a starting a cochin pen (not for show), should I still look at getting better roos and leave these guys to the mixed flock? Even though I am not going to show, I still would like to have the standard at least.

Yeah, if you got them from the bantam bin, I'd say that's most likely what they are. I got several birds from there last spring as well. It's fun trying to guess at what they are. I wound up with a really cute golden neck D'uccle hen (that I thought was a cochin as a chick).

I won't say don't breed them. You can still work with these guys; you will just have a bit further to go to get to where you want to go. If you do decide to breed them, just try to find some nicer quality hens to put with them. That will help you with type and leg feathering. The main question is would you rather start out with birds that are already close to the standard, or would you like to try to improve on the ones you already have? Which would give you more enjoyment?

 

[NanaKat]

 I found out that some birds I had bred, hatched,  raised, and then sold did well at a show today at Lake City Florida.  Bantam Partridge were Best of Breed and Reserve of Breed in the Junior show beating Blacks to win that designation.

In the open show a Black pullet I had bred , hatched , raised and sold was Best of Breed and the Reserve Featherleg.

Never felt happier for others to have won!

Congratulations on those lovely awards. Your dedication to exhibition quality Cochins is rewarded by wins by patterned birds in the breed.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

My Cochin has started laying!

She's given several eggs so far

 

[lilcrow]

And gain a useful bird. If the breed used to have those qualities and still have "type" then it can again. It would just take some time, I'm thinking. What I can't imagine is why so many folks just want feather and type but no usefulness out of the breed. That's a conundrum. Why settle for mediocrity if one is to put so much time and effort into a breed?

I think if you want a "dual purpose" breed, you'd be better off to go with birds that are already being bred for those traits. Cochins are not bred for eating and/or egg production, they are intended to be a "fancy" bird, loved for their looks and gentle disposition. The majority of chickens are intended for human consumption as meat or eggs, and it is a bit of an insult to have someone who is not breeding our birds to come along and insist that the breed should be bred for something that is currently being addressed by the majority.

 

[lilcrow]

I was wondering if these are cochins roos.

I have had them awhile with my mixed flock. But I am thinking about starting up a cochin coop. The 2 reds are identical in feathers and build, just one is lighter than the other. And that is not white on the reds, they are just very very shiny. And the white, is very white, but the Alabama red clay makes him look cream.

Also what would their colors be referred as or are they just reds and a white.

Thanks!

You asked about the color - are they JUST White and Red? Yes they are that, however the Reds are not a common variety and the color on yours is very nice. Whites are much more common and bred more extensively, ergo their type is generally much better. You could more easily find better breeding stock in White, but if you wanted to do a lot of studying and ask a lot of questions, you might be able to improve the type on your Reds. It's a long road and you must be dedicated and tireless to make a positive contribution to the variety.