Cochin Thread!!!

[StevenW.]

What does everyone use for the cochins bedding? I'm going to use wood shavings since they have feather feet and I'd like them to stay nice and clean.

This is the breeding pen I'm thinking about building.

http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32970 But off the ground with hardware cloth on the bottom and a lot bigger.

 

[jossanne]

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Those Columbians are amazing! Craig you are a lucky man!

 

[cochinman2005]

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Craig,
The Columbian Cockerel is looking pretty good. Looks to be pretty clear as far as creaminess goes. Just keep selecting away from the brassiness/creamy feathers in the males. It's too bad you can't see it in the females, they always show up nice and white so you can never really tell if they carry it. Good luck at the show!

Tom

 

[jossanne]

What do you honestly think of this bantam cockerel? He hatched July 19, 2010, so he's almost 8 months old. I don't know why there's red showing up in his plumage in the pictures. It's not there in real life.

 

[wildwoodcochins]

I've seen a few comments on here talking about trimming breeding birds. I have never done this before. Then again, I have had no problem with my hatch rate. Is it really necessary? Maybe later on in the summer?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I do not trim mine unless they become nasty. I do not have fertility problems with mine most of the time. I think when I do get clear eggs the boys are just not into it yet. I had my buff Mottled project going badly for a few weeks until the warmer weather and longer days finally got the boy in action. Now I am getting fertile eggs a plenty!

And I can assure you my birds are heavily feathered. I just do not think they need trimming.

None of these birds are trimmed but still heavily feathered. I feel if I have to trim then the breed isn't worth having. I do not show so I do not have to insist on perfection. It just works out that they can reproduce naturally. The only one I have trimmed was a roo I recently purchased. He had a nasty rear after living here a week. I trimmed him, changed his diet and he is clean again.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

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Amy, I just love seeing pics of your birds - your hard work is really paying off! I think Cleo is due for a vacation in Colorado!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Thank you. I wish I could take credit for Miss Cleo but she is from Judy Gantt.
I have one even nicer than her now, believe it or not! I haven't put her into breeding yet since I am out of pens and have too many roos so she is still with the white bantam Cochins. I am gathering eggs from that pen so I haven't the foggiest what will hatch from her and the new white roo I purchased.

I am sure it will be decent enough but just not something I can use in anything except maybe my Calico project. I'll just have to see though.

The only birds I can take credit for are the MF project birds. DH and I try to put them together where we can get the best type but there are too many dang blasted decent roos growing up and we hate to let go of anything until it is grown enough to know.

Again, thank you. I think I am about to put eggs up on the BYC auction from the Mottled group. I have about caught up on my waiting list. I just know though, that once I do, they will stop laying!

Once I can get some good photos I have a few pairs to sell, too. Hate to let any go but I have to make room for the up and coming stars!

 

[cochinman2005]

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Please keep in mind that evaluating a bird from photos is not ideal. So generally speaking, I note the following...
1. He's pretty young
2. He appears narrow in overall width (side to side)
3. He stands taller in the front than in the back. Not balanced. Could be the fact he didn't want his picture taken. You want his eye to be level with the top of his cushion. When they are nervous they tend to stand way too tall.
4. He could use more chest. Related to the way he's standing in the photos. So he could either really use more chest or because he's standing so tall, he's losing the fullness of chest you want.
5. He appears to be a little too leggy, again, he's only 8 months old so will still fill out some.
6. I'd like to see more cushion and a little more length to the back.
7. He has a decent head, comb and good eye color.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

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If I do not trim/pluck or AI my hatch rate would be around 10% or less. I have tried and can assure you that it helps fertility greatly. I can not speak for all birds but mine need assistance to have a high percentage hatch rate..