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Don't know... I've never been around a Cochin or Bared Rock. These are only about 4 months old. I got them because I bought some Jersey x NH chicks last year and have a very large handsome roo and two friendly hens who are very consistant layers of large brown eggs. So I thought I'd try to cross some on my own.
Right now the Jerseys look like I've been starving them even tho they have a 25 # feeder in the coop with all the food they want. From what I've learned, during their first year they put most of their energy into making a large frame. Then during their second year they get meaty.
Last time I weighed them they weighed about 3 pounds, and are as tall as a normal chicken... Just thin and bony looking.
My New Hampshires are 11 weeks old today and are just now starting to loose the buff coloring and are starting to turn a mahagany color. They are very energetic and so far well behaved.
I've discovered from BYC posters that the NH roos may become a handfull. I'll have to keep an eye on them.
I don't tolerate a mean roo. Protective, scared, or somwhat aggressive I can handle. But not delibertly mean.
Rick
I had NH Roos (6 of them) beautiful birds - but the nastiest things I've ever known.
Every single one of them was so aggressive they would attack dead things!! One attacked my donkey, and a cow. Now THAT is agressive
.
My rooster I have now (had before them), George, hates red roosters now - I can't have a red rooster anywhere on the property or he goes nuts. He is normally very gentle, just doesn't like red roos. Can't say as I blame him.
Those roos would walk around doing the head thing (the "Oh no you didn't" move) looking for a fight with anything that crossed their path.
I have one NH hen who is ok, a good broody and Mama, but even she is a bit weird in the head. Maybe it's just the breed.
The lady I got them from loved NH red - said they were the most gentle chicken she'd ever had. But then, she also swore to me that the 6 cockerels were pullets almost ready to lay
I was a noob, and stoopid. I believed her.
Hope you have better luck with them.
Peace -
Meri