Cochin Thread!!!

[Chickie'sMoma]

i have noticed that my bantam cochins are quite hardy and healthy. they seem hardier than my faverolles i've had over the past few years. my locally bred favs seem to be hardier than ones i purchased from further south so i am unsure if there was too much inbreeding from being such a rare breed, or if it is just the climate they are not used to.

i don't believe cochins are considered as rare as my faverolles since it seems like everyone has a few in their flocks. finding decent cochins is really the challenge though! pay the money for good ones from breeders you are familiar with.

 

[homeschoolchick]

Mr. Ree :

Quote:
I think the problem you had was not per say a "sickly breed", but more of unhealthy breeding. You will find that alot of people who do this as a "hobby" are actually doing it to make money. They care nothing of the healthy breedings and practices true breeders are involved in, as long as the bird looks good, they think they should try and profit from it. Thats why its nice to be self aware of people throwing out the term SQ likes its candy at a parade. Cochins are generally a healthy and hearty breed, they originated in China so the breed itself can withstand the cold and heat pretty well. Just do some research before you decide who to buy from, and choose someone with experience and knowledge of the breed and how to properly breed and manage a flock. Just be aware of the fakeness of it all.


~Casey

Thank you for your time. Unfortunately, it is very hard to know who has healthy breeding any more. The breeder I got my chickens from seemed to have healthy chickens. None of mine came to me sick. It wasn't until a few months later that problems started to crop up. I am afraid doing research online is hard to do. It is hard to figure out who to buy from, and no offense, but breeders that go to shows are exposing their chickens to who knows what...so I don't know who to buy from. I am nervous about choosing a breed, and breeder.

Are there any cons?​

 

[homeschoolchick]

Chickie'sMoma :

i have noticed that my bantam cochins are quite hardy and healthy. they seem hardier than my faverolles i've had over the past few years. my locally bred favs seem to be hardier than ones i purchased from further south so i am unsure if there was too much inbreeding from being such a rare breed, or if it is just the climate they are not used to.

i don't believe cochins are considered as rare as my faverolles since it seems like everyone has a few in their flocks. finding decent cochins is really the challenge though! pay the money for good ones from breeders you are familiar with.

Thank you! I unfortunately am not familiar with anyone

I really wish I knew for sure who had healthy cochins!​

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
Thank you! I unfortunately am not familiar with anyone

I really wish I knew for sure who had healthy cochins!

Good reputable breeders will never knowingly sell sick birds to anyone at any price. Having said that, I still quarantine all birds entering my property, no matter who I buy them from. If the problem isn't appearing until you've had the birds for a few months as you said above, then you should seriously review your flock management - everything from their housing to pest control to feed.

You have not said exactly why the birds are getting sick - if we know that, it is then easier for us to help you.

 

[Beth G.]

I find my bantie cochins to be very healthy and hardy

But, I caution on buying just any hatching eggs up for sale. Natural breeding can be difficult for some true show quaility bantam cochins. I have some very nice show quality bantam cochins and without Artificial insemination I can not produce offspring from them

So with that being said, all I can say is yes I think they are great but, when it comes to breeding they need alittle help sometimes

Best Wishes!!!
Beth

Quote:

 

[homeschoolchick]

Are there any breeders that test for MG/MS?

 

[homeschoolchick]

Quote:
Thank you! I unfortunately am not familiar with anyone

I really wish I knew for sure who had healthy cochins!

Good reputable breeders will never knowingly sell sick birds to anyone at any price. Having said that, I still quarantine all birds entering my property, no matter who I buy them from. If the problem isn't appearing until you've had the birds for a few months as you said above, then you should seriously review your flock management - everything from their housing to pest control to feed.

You have not said exactly why the birds are getting sick - if we know that, it is then easier for us to help you.

Hello! My silkies and polish tested positive for MS. My last necropsy also had avian leukosis.

I cleaned their coop and run everyday. Fresh water everyday, and sanatized once a week. They had been dewormed and treated periodically for external parasites. I have tin covering on the entire run and they never free ranged. I did my best to keep them healthy.

I am starting over and thought I might go with cochins. I am hoping for better luck this time.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Quote:
There are several very good breeders in the Maryland/Virginia area. None who will sell eggs. Eggs are the worst way to start a good flock. When you want bantam Cochins it would also help if you said what variety you are interested in.

Cochins are a generally gentle and healthy breed. They do require good housing and feed and protection from predators. They are not good foragers. While they lay eggs they do not lay lots of eggs like some breeds do.

Craig

 

[homeschoolchick]

Quote:
There are several very good breeders in the Maryland/Virginia area. None who will sell eggs. Eggs are the worst way to start a good flock. When you want bantam Cochins it would also help if you said what variety you are interested in.

Cochins are a generally gentle and healthy breed. They do require good housing and feed and protection from predators. They are not good foragers. While they lay eggs they do not lay lots of eggs like some breeds do.

Craig

I wanted to start with eggs to use the Tylan dip method and try to avoid getting MG/MS in my flock this time. I am afraid to get started birds again.

I forgot to mention: I am interested in silkied, frizzled and smooth. Barred, white, partridge, and any other color would be fine.

 

[nhnanna]

Might be a stupid question but, What is the Tylan dip method?

Quote:
There are several very good breeders in the Maryland/Virginia area. None who will sell eggs. Eggs are the worst way to start a good flock. When you want bantam Cochins it would also help if you said what variety you are interested in.

Cochins are a generally gentle and healthy breed. They do require good housing and feed and protection from predators. They are not good foragers. While they lay eggs they do not lay lots of eggs like some breeds do.

Craig

I wanted to start with eggs to use the Tylan dip method and try to avoid getting MG/MS in my flock this time. I am afraid to get started birds again.

I forgot to mention: I am interested in silkied, frizzled and smooth. Barred, white, partridge, and any other color would be fine.