Cochin Thread!!!

[Sylviaanne]

LOL Why is it I can't find any large fowl/standard Cochins in my area that I can afford? All I want are 2 - 3 hens old enough to lay but not too old to produce good eggs for hatching.

It's getting to the point where it seems like the word Cochins is synonymous with BANTAM Cochins. Geesh!

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

LOL Why is it I can't find any large fowl/standard Cochins in my area that I can afford? All I want are 2 - 3 hens old enough to lay but not too old to produce good eggs for hatching.

That is the case where I am as well. I even showed up to purchase one from a so called breeder. He was showing me all bantam cochins. Finally I asked where were the standards. He looked at me puzzled. Then i asked for the larger birds. His reply made me a bit angry. "The largest I have is that cock over there" he said to me. That male could have fit in my purse. He did not know that he had bantams and that a standard size of this breed existed.
I can understand if some of the standards may seem pricey to you, but for laying age someone has purchased or hatched, kept, protected, and fed a cochin for at least 20 weeks or more. They are not expected to be too cheap. Usually 25%-30% more than the cost of a chick is to be expected from a breeder. There are some breeders that do charge rediculous amounts for poultry/fowl though. I find it understandable for rare breeds, but not for Cochins.

It's getting to the point where it seems like the word Cochins is synonymous with BANTAM Cochins. Geesh!

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Cool! Looks like the Jubilee color in Orps...

I was thinking the same thing. Nice job Andy

 

[Sylviaanne]

I was looking for $10 - 15 price range but can't find ANY.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Call your local county extension office. They may know who you can contact in your area, or have info on local poultry exhibitions.

Local feed stores, and places like Stockdales, and Tractor Supply bring a variety of chicks in in the Spring. Some business will order them for you.

You can also do a Google search for breeders in your area.

I ordered mine from Murry McMurry, and I couldn't be happier. The birds I received are top notch. There is a minimum order though, and you have to pay for shipping, but if you want a large quantity of birds, or have others to go in on an order with you, then from my experience that's a great place to order from.

I think there is a section here in BYB where you can sell, trade, or order eggs to incubate.

I have looked on CL, here on BYC and facebook and I am beginning to think that I had better go with the babies. I don't want to give up too soon but as the 1st approaches, I need to either find some hens or go with the babies.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Just wondering, if I bought 25 pullets and they all managed to live until next year and start laying, would there be a lot of interest in large fowl Cochin eggs? Any color or mixed colors?

As I am searching and not finding, it looks to me like there might be a big demand but when it comes time to sell eggs, would there be? Am I just fooling myself?

 

[BeachBumBiddies]

I think it's just preference, just like anything...go with what you like 1st...then see if you can sell when the time comes..I personally think you won't have any problems selling the eggs..you will just have to cover all your bases, like craigslist, ebay, here, & maybe RBA...I have just recently gotten into Cochins..I have Lemon Blues & i have to say, they are adorable with their little "fancy pants"...lol...

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

I was looking for $10 - 15 price range but can't find ANY.

Those prices seem fair. I should have been more clear. Usually they are sold cost of chick+energy and housing+shipping+feed+meds+(25%). Depending on what they have invested in the bird should depend on the cost to sell. $15 sounds fair though. My birds do not eat much feed or use much energy, so mine would be super cheap. I had just thought about it lol. I usually see most adult pure breds around $16-$25. I can see where that would seem like a lot. Especially when you are purchasing more than 1 Cochin.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Those prices seem fair. I should have been more clear. Usually they are sold cost of chick+energy and housing+shipping+feed+meds+(25%). Depending on what they have invested in the bird should depend on the cost to sell. $15 sounds fair though. My birds do not eat much feed or use much energy, so mine would be super cheap. I had just thought about it lol. I usually see most adult pure breds around $16-$25. I can see where that would seem like a lot. Especially when you are purchasing more than 1 Cochin.

Hmm, I was thinking the price I want to pay was cheap. I was going on the average price I see adult chickens going for and since large fowl Cochins are hard to find, I expected them to cost more.

Yeah, I'd like 3 hens but it looks like I am going to have to go with the babies and hopefully I can still find one hen somewhere. Thing is, I'm not even being choosy over the colors and they are still hard to find.

 

[Sylviaanne]

I think it's just preference, just like anything...go with what you like 1st...then see if you can sell when the time comes..I personally think you won't have any problems selling the eggs..you will just have to cover all your bases, like craigslist, ebay, here, & maybe RBA...I have just recently gotten into Cochins..I have Lemon Blues & i have to say, they are adorable with their little "fancy pants"...lol...

Do you have bantams? I call my black Cochin, "Blackie" original, I know. LOL When we look for him at night to put him up, I tell my husband to look for the one in pajamas. LOL

What is the RBA?