Cochin Thread!!!

[WallabyOfChaos]

@I Love Layers - I thought this link was pretty helpful: http://www.freewebs.com/thecochincoop/preparingshowbirds.htm

Other breeders also recommend probiotics (plain yogurt) once a week, along with grains and black oil sunflower seed for added fat and shiny feathers. Some breeders of yellow-legged varieties also talk about feeding increased amounts of beta carotene, like marigold oil, to improve leg color. Not sure if or how that could affect the feather color on light varieties like White, Splash, or Self Blue though.


The rarity of the birds is a matter of opinion I suppose. There are several breeders offering Blue Cochin eggs on Ebay and one who has Frizzle Blue Cochins right now, so they are definitely obtainable. There is a very good chance though that the the variety is rare or hard to find locally in your area. I know of only one other breeder who has the same variety as I do in our area, so Blue Mottled Cochin bantams could be considered "rare" in my neck of the woods. Plus, good quality show birds are on the rare side no matter what the breed or variety, so being show quality will likely add to the rarity of your new birds as well.

 

[I Love Layers]

Ok thanks! Instead if feeding them yogurt, would feeding them fresh cows milk from my jersey do the same thing?

 

[I Love Layers]

That answered so many of my questions thanks so much!!!!!!!

 

[Homie Four]

I have a question. I have a frizzled bantam cochin and a standard cochin rooster. I want to get a chick from them but I'm not sure if that will work since the bantam eggs are so small. Is it dangerous to hatch a half standard chick from a bantam egg?

It should be fine. I've bred LF on bantam and bantam on LF before and I've never had a problem. As long as the rooster isn't a rough rooster, make sure he isn't hurting the hen. And I suggest don't breed bantams with crests to a LF rooster because he can easily hurt them on accident.
Good luck hatching!

 

[Homie Four]

So eggcited!
My eggs are hatching out of my new incubator, so far two are out. One looks to be a blue mottled hopefully, and the other is mixed colors. I also have mille fleur cochins hatching, splash, and more mixed colors. Maybe some silkies too! I'll post photos when they're all out

 

[Daisies]

Thanks for the insight guys! My chickens are all together so whatever happens happens. My rooster doesn't hurt the hen but I'm not sure if he accually gets on her or not. I might let her sit on a couple eggs if she goes broody, but otherwise it won't be for a couple years before I let her hatch chicks.

 

[Homie Four]

Thanks for the insight guys! My chickens are all together so whatever happens happens. My rooster doesn't hurt the hen but I'm not sure if he accually gets on her or not. I might let her sit on a couple eggs if she goes broody, but otherwise it won't be for a couple years before I let her hatch chicks.

If she ends up going broody, goodluck!

 

[Homie Four]

For anyone that ships eggs, what business is probably the best to use in your guy's experiences?

 

[WallabyOfChaos]

Ok thanks! Instead if feeding them yogurt, would feeding them fresh cows milk from my jersey do the same thing?

Fresh raw milk would be a healthy snack, but I don't think it would pack the same punch as yogurt. It's the bacterial cultures that you are after. Why not try souring your fresh milk for them? A smidge of store-bought buttermilk in with your fresh milk would get things kicked off.

For anyone that ships eggs, what business is probably the best to use in your guy's experiences?

Are you talking about a shipping carrier, or something else all together?

 

[I Love Layers]

What does everyone else use for a coop? I am looking for ideas, but haven't been able to find something I like. Especially one that fits my nufget