Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Some of my girls are having a pretty nasty molt, too, although I think I feel the worst for Diana at the moment:




(Oh, and I saw your Marek's FAQ, Nambroth! Lots of good reading there!

I only had the chance to skim it, but I'm going to try to make time to read in more detail, especially the parts that are relevant to me and my flock.)

 

[Tacampbell1973]

After reading some of these threads about genetics, i am so lost. where can I go to start learning the very bare bones beginnings of genetics. I am intrigued by it but right now it seems like a foreign language to me.It sounds like if I am ever going to get serious about raising cochins I ought to have a fair idea of what plus what equals what. Can anyone recommend a starting point?

 

[Nambroth]

After reading some of these threads about genetics, i am so lost. where can I go to start learning the very bare bones beginnings of genetics. I am intrigued by it but right now it seems like a foreign language to me.It sounds like if I am ever going to get serious about raising cochins I ought to have a fair idea of what plus what equals what. Can anyone recommend a starting point?

How about the cochin thread? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/484763/large-fowl-cochin-thread

 

[Suzierd]

I would like your guys opinion, I had a EE Rooster that never showed any aggressive behavior toward me yet he is only six months old but one of my BO went broody and acted like a crazy chicken running around puffed out squakin and he would attack her and he pecked a wound in the back of her head and bloodied her cone. This made me mad enough to rehome him. Do you think this was normal behavior or to ruff and unexceptable? He went to a excellent home with lots of room to free range and girls. In my experience with roosters it seems most are aggressive. I have one that I know won't flock at me at all and I just love him.

 

[Nambroth]

I would like your guys opinion, I had a EE Rooster that never showed any aggressive behavior toward me yet he is only six months old but one of my BO went broody and acted like a crazy chicken running around puffed out squakin and he would attack her and he pecked a wound in the back of her head and bloodied her cone. This made me mad enough to rehome him. Do you think this was normal behavior or to ruff and unexceptable? He went to a excellent home with lots of room to free range and girls. In my experience with roosters it seems most are aggressive. I have one that I know won't flock at me at all and I just love him.

The level of "acceptable behavior" from a rooster is a very personal one. Only you can decide, depending on how you keep your flock and what you think is acceptable. Some people want roos that are a bit quicker to anger if they free range all of the time, because such a rooster might be more likely to attack a predator. On the other hand, there have been people with very gentle and sweet roos that will go after a predator just the same. Each bird is unique and if his behavior was not okay by you, then by golly, it's not okay. I think most roos need a little while to get past their initial hormonal surge, but if they do something that is not all right, well. It's not all right. It's up to you to decide what "not all right" means for your flock!

Honestly, at this point in life, I have known some sweet roosters and I have known some jerks. No longer will I deal with a jerk, especially now that I know there are many sweet boys out there that need a home. BUT!! That is because I have PET hens, that spend all their unsupervised time in a large but protected enclosure. If I had birds that free ranged all the time I would probably look at my roosters a bit differently.
So, in the end, it is a personal choice.

 

[Suzierd]

Thanks Nambroth, I think for now I'm going to pass on a Roo for the big girls. Drawing blood like that could end up fatal if other chickens attacked too or he didn't stop. Anyway the decision was made.

 

[Nambroth]

Just a quick post with some photos! Derp has not been very cooperative for the camera, but the baby cochins have. They are now over three months old, and are visually larger than nearly all of my big hens! Under the fluff they are still scrawny, though.
This week I have been taking them outside during the day, then back indoors to roost in the evening. The Big Chickens are still scary and every one of them, including Derp, will run the babies off of food except for Coho. Still, it will be a process.

Sometimes, the Baron will challenge Millie, and she will simply give him a stern look. Instead of backing down the normal way, how I see all other chickens do it.. the Baron Rufflerump not only backs down, he sits right down on his keel and looks up at her. The first time I saw it I laughed so hard, and thought it was a coincidence. No!! He does it every time! I am trying very hard to get it on video for you all, but it happens so fast that it's hard to catch.

Today I had the cochins in the coop for a while, since the sun was hitting it. They had to sunbathe, of course!!

Baron Rufflerump looks SO very long when he is all stretched out...






I can't wait to see how much more stern Mildred's face will be once she is full grown!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Mildred has a kind of "pretty poison," look to her - don't mess with Mildred!!

 

[froggiesheins]

The babies are BEAUTIFUL!

 

[CinnamonQueen]

DERP being aggressive??
P.S The cochins are GORGEOUS