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As a general rule, a Mottled pullet that is well marked will be overmarked as a hen. Most of your Mottled breeders, show hens. That's when you will really know how well marked they are.
Also, no offense to the Mottled breeders, but it's hard to find a Mottled that even comes close to being correctly marked. The feathers are supposed to be marked with a white teardrop shape at the ends of the feathers and there are supposed to be a certain number of feathers marked that way depending upon the section of plumage (i.e., breast, back etc). Some of the breeders are very close, but many of the Mottleds are just Black birds with white splotches, or even a completely white feather in there amongst the black. Refer to the SOP for a complete description. The Mottled Ancona, if you can find a good one, demonstrate the pattern the best. We had a Mottled Cornish at our fall show last year that was very well marked and was Best AOCCL.
Thank you! That is a relief , because that is what I had read, but had not yet seen. Her's the best pic I have of my girl at 5 months old. She's sitting down, but it's the only one that came clear. These birds just don't understand the "stay" command.
There is a little white on the ends of her feathers on her head, and the occasional white tip around her body, but she is virtually solid black. She has a great shape, though.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6103_dscn4022.jpg
Even as a pullet she should have more markings than that. She may very well be undermarked and may not get a whole lot more mottling as a hen. Also, the split breast she is displaying in the photo is a defect you don't want in your breeding pens if possible. A Cochin should have no concave surfaces. You want a nice smooth breast on a Cochin. Good and full with no split.