Cochin Thread!!!

[WestKnollAmy]

A new breeding pair I just put together. I can't wait to see what their kids will look like but I have high hopes. I am trying not to count my chicks before they hatch but this pair is just lovely to me. Sorry they are so small....camera on my phone.
I bred the roo but the hen is from another breeder. She breeds for less white and I like more white.

 

[rnorris1234]

Quote:
Very pretty indeed. I think I like more white too. Good luck with this pair.
Robert

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
Wow! What great type! You really have a great eye for finding great-typed birds!

 

[smoothmule]

Cochincoop.
I LOVe that rooster! Wish I had some use for him but I don't. The only Cochins I have are a single pair of standard GL's that I bought when Thom Dean sold out. I had been looking for a pair anyway and when I went to pick up some of his Araucana's, I grabbed a pair, wish now that I had gotten a couple more hens,

but I "thought" I would just have them for pretty chickens in the yard.....

right...

I know the GL variety isn't that common in the standards and so they really need some work done to improve them but I couldn't resist. So, not knowing a thing about Cochin breeding (I can trim vents and all that) but I'd like to know how I can improve these guys (my target right now is to improve the cushion for sure) without messing up the pattern?? Is there a hen color I can cross to the rooster that will help bring me closer to standard and maintain some of the GL color?

Cathy

 

[smoothmule]

I guess photo's would be helpful....duh

Bigfoot and Bessie

Bigfoot

Bessie

 

[geweldig23]

heres my seven month old blue cochin pullett

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[posey]

Hey All I need a little Giant Cochin raising Help!!

I have 5 giant cochins, a roo and 4 hens that I have only had for a couple of months.
I LOVE this breed but they are fairly new to me. I had a LF roo last Fall but we gave him to a friend to raise, so I didn't have him very long.
I love all my chickens but the cochins are so endearing.

I have a few questions:
1. Some of the girls have a messy butt, not horribly bad but not good. Some white urites and icky poo stuck to the feathers below their vents. Is this a common problem? I have silkies too and it seems to be a recurring thing I have to deal with. Is this just life with incredibly fluffy butts or is there something I am not doing health or nutrition-wise? They are in an enclosed pasture during the day (too many loose big dogs who like chicken running around) and locked up in a large coop at night. The pasture has some grass and other vegetation as well as pine needles and pine cones and dirt under the trees.

It is winter (well, Spring has started but the grass is still sort of short and tan) The girls are eating Layena layer pellets, occasionally some cooked oatmeal, cabbage, kale, chickweed when I can get it for them. I give them ACV in their water every day. Suggestions anyone?
I wish that I could get them better feed but I am not opposed to supplementing if I knew what else to feed them. Come summer I will be giving them squash and greens and other goodies from the garden.

2. With all the feathers and fluffy tails and bottoms is it hard for the roo to mate with the hens to fertilize the eggs? I have watched and my roo doesn’t seem to be hitting the spot. He is not as large as most giant cochin roos and at least one of my cochin hens is slightly bigger than him.

3. About the feathered legs and feet – do the scales look raised a bit usually (not as bad as scaly leg mite) or should they lay flat and tight like my Australorps legs and feet? Do any of you apply oil or vet Rx to their legs and feet to help them stay in condition? Or is this a nutritional thing or the start of scaly let mite?

4. Last question what is the best thing to feed them to get their feathers in great condition?

Thanks for your help
Posey

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
if ur not showing ur bird u can cut the fluff off from the under side of the hens and roosters
i feed high protein grower or turkey food keep my show bird feather stay nice

 

[posey]

Thank you chickendales, I have thought about switching but was concerned about the shell quality on the eggs. Has that ever been a problem for you?

Also, with your showgirls, they have back sides like silkies don't they? Do you ever have to deal with messy butts with them? If so what do you do?
Thanks

 

[Sumatra55]

Here are some of my Standard Partridge Cochins