Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[craftiekids]

Orpingtons were origionally decendants of the cochins .... These were actually used to breed the origional Brahmas, I have light Brahmas and they are massive and calm birds. I would love to hear more of their ancient history if anyone knows. Send me a shout... I breed only Heritage Breeds and the more I know the better! Susie Q

 

[Beekissed]

Orpingtons were origionally decendants of the cochins .... These were actually used to breed the origional Brahmas, I have light Brahmas and they are massive and calm birds. I would love to hear more of their ancient history if anyone knows. Send me a shout... I breed only Heritage Breeds and the more I know the better! Susie Q

Here's a pretty informative site: http://www.coachhousecochins.com/origin-and-history-of-the-cochin.html

Unless you were wanting info on the Brahmas instead? Sorry if I misunderstood....

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Sweet!!

Love to see the next generation take an interest in poultry.

 

[NanaKat]

Bee kissed...I love my Cochins and gave a late answer to your query on the Cochin thread. Mine are good layers and tasty meat birds. The stock were purchased as eggs from know breeders who show their birds. I breed to the SOP.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee kissed...I love my Cochins and gave a late answer to your query on the Cochin thread. Mine are good layers and tasty meat birds. The stock were purchased as eggs from know breeders who show their birds. I breed to the SOP.

I saw that and I thank you, Nanakat! It was the answer to my question. I just knew someone, somewhere was using this bird for more than a feather duster. I had happened into a Silver Laced Cochin cockerel in a round about way and it's not a breed I've ever really considered having but he was just here with a pen of dual purpose breed roosters as canner birds. Well, he's too young and skinny for eating but he truly seems to have a large, tall frame and a deep keel and so that got me to wondering about this old breed. He's very beautiful, though not my typical breed of choice.

Thank you for the feedback on the breed...for some reason this stray bird has intrigued me and I just had to know!

 

[thedragonlady]

I saw that and I thank you, Nanakat! It was the answer to my question. I just knew someone, somewhere was using this bird for more than a feather duster. I had happened into a Silver Laced Cochin cockerel in a round about way and it's not a breed I've ever really considered having but he was just here with a pen of dual purpose breed roosters as canner birds. Well, he's too young and skinny for eating but he truly seems to have a large, tall frame and a deep keel and so that got me to wondering about this old breed. He's very beautiful, though not my typical breed of choice.

Thank you for the feedback on the breed...for some reason this stray bird has intrigued me and I just had to know!

That deep keel has been one of the Cochins' greatest contributions to other breeds.A good Cochin has a great skull also, with breadth, and strength.Useful traits in any dual purpose breed.

 

[brahmabreeder]

I've been having low fertility in my one pen and no fertility in my other pen. I wanted to try something with them so I separated them yesterday and put them back in this afternoon. When they were put back in I noticed both of them trying to mate but the hens weren't having it. Do you think the hens are just not wanting to let them 'practice'? They are a little bit under a year old. I'm starting to wonder if they just aren't being assertive enough. They've had their ladies for two months now.

 

[call ducks]

I've been having low fertility in my one pen and no fertility in my other pen. I wanted to try something with them so I separated them yesterday and put them back in this afternoon. When they were put back in I noticed both of them trying to mate but the hens weren't having it. Do you think the hens are just not wanting to let them 'practice'? They are a little bit under a year old. I'm starting to wonder if they just aren't being assertive enough. They've had their ladies for two months now.

Try switching the cocks around - hens can reject sperm from cocks they find ill-suitable so even if they are letting them breed, or the roosters do get the chance to breed the hens may still be rejecting it.

So switch them around and see what happens... Or put them both in the same pen. That might spike the other cock into breeding.

 

[brahmabreeder]

I suppose I could try that as much as I don't want to. Anything to at least kind of save this years breeding season will be worth a try.

 

[BGMatt]

I've been having low fertility in my one pen and no fertility in my other pen. I wanted to try something with them so I separated them yesterday and put them back in this afternoon. When they were put back in I noticed both of them trying to mate but the hens weren't having it. Do you think the hens are just not wanting to let them 'practice'? They are a little bit under a year old. I'm starting to wonder if they just aren't being assertive enough. They've had their ladies for two months now.

Do you have an older cock? I have one friend that when the hens aren't putting up with the cockerels he drops the cock in for a day or two, then reintroduces the cockerel. Plucking fluff around vents might help an inexperienced cockerel as well.