Crossing colors/patterns to improve type and keep - GL Cochins to???

[smoothmule]

I have a pair of standard Cochins, golden laced color. They are not as good in type as they should be and I'd like to know what Cochin color would be the best to work with. Keeping in mind I'm doing this for myself only, a backyard project with my goal to try to keep the golden laced color but larger and more typey. If I screw up, I still have Cochins and maybe some pretty odd colors but it will be for fun and I can share chicks with friends in my area who could care less if they're colored correctly.

I just love this pair but I want them larger and I don't want to completely mess up up their color. The issues I'm seeing with my pair are size, type (need more Cochin type rounded cushion type tails and better feathering on the thighs). I'm not sure if I'm seeing vulture hocks, I don't think they are, but they could be better/more fluffy. My pair are really not all that bad but if I'm going to hatch a few chicks I feel I should be working to improve them.

Is there a particular color variety of Cochins that I can cross with my pair to get what I want and not totally mess up the GL color?

What color varieties tend to be the largest? My guess is White?
What color varieties tend to be the best type? My guess is Black?
What color variety crosses with GL best? My guess is Partridge?

Any insights are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[tadkerson]

A partridge (as in penciled) would be the best variety to work with. If you could purchase a show quality male to breed with your GL cochins it would work the best. This way you need only purchase one bird to start the project.

Cross # 1 partridge male X GL females = F1 chicks ( hatch 10 or more chicks) From the F1 pick the best looking ( best type) F1 male and F1 female

Cross # 2 Cross the F1 male and F1 Female = F2 chicks Hatch 20 or more chicks. Now you have to choose for best type and best lacing. You could lose type on this cross or gain type- you just have to make the cross.

What you do next depends on the phenotype ( what the chicks look like) of the F2 chicks.

Tim

 

[dickhorstman]

There are a few breeders of Golden Laced Cochins that have birds that are big and have good type and color. It would save a lot of time and feed money to start with the better birds.
I am sold out of eggs & chicks for this season. Roland Doerr ,12666 Brickyard Rd.,Shakopee,Minn.55379. 1-952-445-9748. He has the best I have seen.

 

[smoothmule]

I've tried several times to contact Roland Doerr but no success. I guess I'll try again.