Cochin Thread!!!

[AndyCap]

Hey guys and gals.

Wanted to ask a newbie question.

I have black cochins and white cochins. They look very similar, but the black girls have a shorter stouter beak, and a different comb to the white girls. Is this normal? Or are the white girls just better bred?

The wattles are also a different shape. See below.

 

[mibirder]

Thank you, Coopa.
Your answers are very helpful and appreciated. The site you listed looks especially good-I cant wait to have some time to sit and read on it. I am planning to purchase Sigrid Van Dort's book because it has come highly recommended by a number of people and since I am truly a visual person I think the photos will be great(I know the cost is up there so I am budgeting for it). Does anyone here have any other suggestions on some good genetic sites or books that I can read? I am glad to know that I am not the only one that has problems with the chicken calculator.
Thanks again!

I purchased the Van Dort, first edition about a year ago and hardly put it down. I don't know if the next printing is available in the US yet, but the first is/was sold out. It actually is very helpful when used with the Calculator as the last third or so of the book has alphabetized photos and genetic recipes for nearly every color/pattern under the sun!

While the cost is very steep, nearly everyone breeding from a genetics basis should at least look it over once in their life - it's that good.

Dave

 

[varanisblack]

Well my bantom cockerell and 4 pullets are looking good and growing fast!
I thought I had 3 blacks "1 cockerell and 2 pullets" and 2 buffs "both pullets" BUT I have both my black pullets getting some interesting coloring coming in! one has almost silver grey streaks coming in and the other has copper streaks!
I will have to get pics later as we have spent the past 2 hours cleaning runs with the grand kids helping and everyone needs to cool off and get cleaned up for the day LOL
I am curious as what coloration to call these girls with the new developments?

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Here is my little Daisy. She's our only Cochin. But she is the sweetest little thing.

 

[tiki244]

Daisy is adorable. I love the cochin's sweet temperament too. That is too bad about your loss of the other cochin.

Thanks for the references to the books. I have the one by Brian Reeder but definitely need the other ones. Is the Van Dort the book that first came out a couple years ago? from the UK? It sounds like a good book to have.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Daisy is adorable. I love the cochin's sweet temperament too. That is too bad about your loss of the other cochin.

Thanks. We are looking to add a couple more Cochins to our flock.

 

[lilcrow]

Hey guys and gals.

Wanted to ask a newbie question.

I have black cochins and white cochins. They look very similar, but the black girls have a shorter stouter beak, and a different comb to the white girls. Is this normal? Or are the white girls just better bred?

The wattles are also a different shape. See below.

My SOP is still packed away from moving a long time ago, but I'm pretty sure that shorter and broader is better for the beak. If a bird has a long, narrow beak it would contribute to the dreaded "crow head" look. Of course I could be wrong about that and would welcome a correction from any of the experienced breeders.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Daisy is adorable. I love the cochin's sweet temperament too. That is too bad about your loss of the other cochin.

Thanks for the references to the books. I have the one by Brian Reeder but definitely need the other ones. Is the Van Dort the book that first came out a couple years ago? from the UK? It sounds like a good book to have.

Yes, that's the van Dort book w're referring to. Here's the website:

http://www.chickencolours.com/pagina3.html

 

[tiki244]

I have never paid that much for a book but I think it would be well worth the price. Thanks for the link

 

[Ashdoes]

Can you really tell so early the males from females? These are 2 1/2 weeks, almost three.

We just got these four Cochins yesterday. Three little silkies cuddling in there, everyone seems to be getting along just fine.