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I'm sorry to say that I agree with Ivy, the type on your first hen is much better than the hen from the pair, also the roo is not very typy either. The glaring problem I see with the female of the pair is her lack of cushion. She has more of an actual tail than the soft, round, full cushion that is characteristic of the Cochins. As far as color is concerned, it's almost impossible to make a good evaluation of color due to the problems you were having with the camera. See if you can retake them on a clear day. There is only one type of Partridge. I think what the breeder may have been referring to is the color of the hackles on the hens. The most desirable color is a deep mahogany red, however there are a LOT of hens that have varying shades and unfortunately it seems that the most common color found is gold, even to the extent of being VERY bright gold. This is not what we are hoping for and breeding for. All hen should have clear penciling on the body feathers and the cushion, however this is also not always the case. Sometimes the feather pattern is mossy or muddled looking. I would stay with your first hen and continue to look for more Partridges, and as far as breeding is concerned, I personally wouldn't breed the pair......sorry.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy. That is all great information, and what you said about the partridge colors supported what I was thinking. My better pullet is more red, she is our favorite chicken on the place. I will try to get better individual pics of the chicks later on. My chick changed and improved a lot as she matured, I hope the second pullet will do the same. When Chippy was younger she had a barred pattern not the pretty partridge she has now, and she didn't seem to have much cushion then. Then she really blossomed as she matured, her hackles also got darker as she matured. I will hope for the best, I didn't pay much for them, and my daughter is thrilled with them. So we will hope for the best. I should have asked for exact ages, My guess is 12-14 weeks based on development. The roo is a little older than the pullet, but is still very immature, I don't think he is crowing yet.
I appreciate you putting your pics up and asking questions. I have some partridge bantams too and really want to learn more. I think I have some decent girls but need to see pics to learn. Lilcrow's info. about hackle feathers made me go out and look. My girl's hackles are more vermillion, not mahogany but not gold either. I know alot of breeders have double breeding pens but I don't have that much room and think I am farther ahead on girls so that is what I'll work on for a while. My main rooster is afavorite of mine though, Red Rudy, loves to sit on my shoulder.
I'm sorry to say that I agree with Ivy, the type on your first hen is much better than the hen from the pair, also the roo is not very typy either. The glaring problem I see with the female of the pair is her lack of cushion. She has more of an actual tail than the soft, round, full cushion that is characteristic of the Cochins. As far as color is concerned, it's almost impossible to make a good evaluation of color due to the problems you were having with the camera. See if you can retake them on a clear day. There is only one type of Partridge. I think what the breeder may have been referring to is the color of the hackles on the hens. The most desirable color is a deep mahogany red, however there are a LOT of hens that have varying shades and unfortunately it seems that the most common color found is gold, even to the extent of being VERY bright gold. This is not what we are hoping for and breeding for. All hen should have clear penciling on the body feathers and the cushion, however this is also not always the case. Sometimes the feather pattern is mossy or muddled looking. I would stay with your first hen and continue to look for more Partridges, and as far as breeding is concerned, I personally wouldn't breed the pair......sorry.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy. That is all great information, and what you said about the partridge colors supported what I was thinking. My better pullet is more red, she is our favorite chicken on the place. I will try to get better individual pics of the chicks later on. My chick changed and improved a lot as she matured, I hope the second pullet will do the same. When Chippy was younger she had a barred pattern not the pretty partridge she has now, and she didn't seem to have much cushion then. Then she really blossomed as she matured, her hackles also got darker as she matured. I will hope for the best, I didn't pay much for them, and my daughter is thrilled with them. So we will hope for the best. I should have asked for exact ages, My guess is 12-14 weeks based on development. The roo is a little older than the pullet, but is still very immature, I don't think he is crowing yet.
I appreciate you putting your pics up and asking questions. I have some partridge bantams too and really want to learn more. I think I have some decent girls but need to see pics to learn. Lilcrow's info. about hackle feathers made me go out and look. My girl's hackles are more vermillion, not mahogany but not gold either. I know alot of breeders have double breeding pens but I don't have that much room and think I am farther ahead on girls so that is what I'll work on for a while. My main rooster is afavorite of mine though, Red Rudy, loves to sit on my shoulder.
