Cochin Thread!!!

[rnorris1234]

I just entered two Roos in our local county fair. I've never shown a bird anywhere before, but decided the experience would be good. I entered a mottled roo and a splash cockerel. The judging is tonight at 5. Looking at the others, I think mine were better than many of them, but there is a pair of whites that are wow, wow! And a black hen that was the poofiest I think I've ever seen (at least in person).

 

[pbirdhaven]

I have to share my experience and tell on myself.

I prepared 3 white cochins for fall shows following the "recipe" given earlier in this thread. All went well the first time--each received a 1 rating.
The second time I thought that their foot feathering was still dingy (I let my chickens be chickens!), so added a touch more bluing. All 3 were DQ'ed for........green legs!!!

On the plus side, my black bantam roo was RB.

 

[bantyman]

Where is this recipe located ? Am thinking about getting some of mine ready for some shows Thanx

Mike

 

[pbirdhaven]

Quote:
I don't remember where the post is or who it is from, but I copied and saved it, so here it is. Maybe the original creator will speak up and take credit! Thank you, whoever you are!


For Washing I use three tubs, sometimes four. For White birds the prodecure is a little different than non-white birds so I'll address how I wash White birds.

For Bantams I use 5 gallon bucket filled about 2/3 with warm water. Not too hot.

Bucket 1: I add soap and bluing. I use a combination of Adams Flea and Tick shampoo and Tide with bleach alternative. Don't get it in their eyes or let them swallow it if you can help it. I will also add some bluing to this bucket, but you need to be careful with bluing. Too much and you'll wind up with a nice purplish blue cast to your finished product. You want a nice sky blue color to your water.

Bucket 2: 3/4 to 1 cup white vinegar added to the water.

Bucket 3: Plain water

Bucket 4: Plain water

Spend some time getting all the dirt off the feathers around the vent and on their feet/foot feathers. Soak them in bucket 1, and then work out the dirt. Let all the soapy water drain off the feathers and then proceed to bucket two. Again, don't dunk them completely, but work the suds thoroughly off the feathers. The vinegar helps cut the suds. Buckets 3 and 4 are for additional rinses. It's important to get the suds out or you'll wind up with stringy feathers.

If you are going to blow dry, do so carefully, because you can ruin a bird with poor drying techniques. First towel dry as much of the water off as you can. Then use a maximum of medium heat at medium to low speed, working through the feathers and dry the bird. The back and cushion are the easiest areas to mess up feathers by drying them in the wrong direction. Practice on a bird that you aren't showing.

I usually don't dry the birds, but wash them, towel them dry (towel dry by blotting not by rubbing the feathers), and then let them dry on their own. If washed in the morning, they will be pretty well dry by evening. If it's cold, you'll need to do this indoors or in a basement. You can add some heat lamps but don't get them too close. If the bird has been out doors and used to the cold, getting them wet and then adding a bunch of heat could make them sick. Practice on a bird that you aren't showing. Yup, I mentioned this twice.

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:

I'm not laughing AT you, I'm laughing WITH you.
That's a bummer, but next time maybe you can get it just right.

 

[JP101010]

Our Lil Fernando is growing up to be quite the scrappy little turd ... he may be under 2 lbs but he makes my big burly husband run..
Fernando is like the cowardly lion- "puuutttt em up , put em uppp " and then I point my finger at him and he runs as fast as his feathery feet can take him

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

I was on the Cochin International site and saw something that made me have to ask. If you are breeding Cochins how many of you have a SOP Standard of Perfection and use it?

 

[thecochincoop]

Quote:
i am trying to breed mine as close to the standard as possible

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:
I have an SOP and I use it, but I also take the magazines and I go to other breeders sites and look at their birds to see what is good and what is winning. I try to breed to the standard and I also keep disposition in mind. I won't breed a mean bird.

 

[Mr. Ree]

Have a few updated pics of some moulting birds, as well as some older pics that I just never got around to posting. They may not look the best right now, but thats just part of it I suppose. Lol. Have nothing planned for tomorrow, so if its nice out I plan on getting some pics of the chicks I hatched. They are growing like weeds, and now that they are all old enough, I have 2 White Frizzle Pullets, 1 White Frizzle Cockerel, 3 White Smooth Pullets, 1 Red/White Frizzle Cockerel(weird coloring on this guy, cant wait to see what he looks like as he matures), and 4-5 White Smooth Cockerels. Also have 4 Buff Silkies hatch from some eggs my uncle gave me. Will try and get some pics soon. Hope you guys enjoy.

These are pics of one pair of birds I have. I am breeding these two together next Spring and hope to get some nice chicks from them. They need to be bathed horribly, but as mentioned, they are dropping feathers like crazy so I will wait till they are done with that.

This is a pic of the parents of the Red/White Frizzle.

A White Frizzle Male from Judy Gantt. This bird was around 4-5 years old according to Judy. Even at his age he was a looker, sadly his age caught up with him in the Summer heat and I lost him before being able to get any babies from him.

Here is a Splash Frizzle Pair dust bathing. This pair belongs to my uncle and I think he mentioned selling them, but not %100 sure.

This is my one and only (VERY dirty) White Smooth Hen.

This is a pic thats a few weeks old of some of the younger chicks. There are some Brown Leghorns in this mix as well. They are my Grandfathers layers. He loves his Leghorns.

And this is an older pic, but I just really like it so thought I would share it.

Hope you guys enjoyed, and sorry for all the pics. Just been awhile since I have had the time to be able to post and show off the birds everybody.

~Casey