Large Fowl Cochin - Show potential?

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I have this cochin I got in April. He was born in early April too so he is still young. I got him when he was just 2 days old. Anyways he is growing big and I think he is really pretty. He is also very friendly and doesnt mind being held or staying put on a table or anything like that. He will even stand still while you pet him when he is on the table. Anyways here is some photos. Tell me what you think since I have no clue about showing cochins - when it comes to what they look for in a show.

Sorry for the blurryness on some of the photos. He was moving around, eating grass and bugs.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Anyone?

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Hmm... hard to tell. The ones I've seen at the show were more... round in shape, lots of fluff. He's still young though, so he may grow into it.

Here's a hen (not mine) being shown at the Shawnee Poultry Show in Oklahoma:

As you can see, she looks like a huge ball of feathers. Very round and very fluffy. Males would be larger than she is.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

yeah she looks nice. Hens tend to be shorter and rounder then the roosters too. In both bantam and standard. more so in standard though from what Ive noticed. I've noticed that standard sized cochin roosters have a very Brahma-like shape.

 

[aveca]

He will fill out more next year feathers and width, and fluff.

Study the standard of perfection, keep in mind the perfect bird has NOT been born. 5 - 9 months is the best time to show pullets cockerals.

The standard tells you with illustrations and of correct comb feather color disqualifications such as side split in rear of comb ect... to help you make selections for show. they want feathers down to last joint on outside toe, and middle toe ect... I can copy off some of it for you if you want.

I think you should show, it is a great experience and you will learn a lot., meet other breeders ect..

Im going next week to show, going a little young, 4 1/2 months.. delayed a hatch due to real freakishly bad weather , even with heat lamps in breeding coops eggs were freezing birds wernt terribly interested in breeding , just huddeling under heat lamps.... just one of those years.... I was planning on a bigger show in september but my boss decided to take vacation then so I will be filling in for her. we all had problems here in the northeast with terrible weather that wouldnt quit this year. everybodys in the same boat here , there was a show 2 weeks ago that everybody skipped only a few mature birds showed, really low numbers at these shows , so get out and support them so they dont dissappear. several are skipping the fair and going for the sept show. Im going to the fair cause have to work in septs big show.

 

[shay20]

Oh my he is beautiful. He is still not full grown right? OH i just read the whole thing, He is still coming into feathers.
Yes you should show him and breed him. I think he has great quality.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Thanks

he is a sweet heart. I would love to breed him later on but I have no idea where to find a hen to breed him with around here. I got him at a feed store believe it or not. They had easter chicks in; and so I picked him out of the bunch of assorted roosters that they had for sale while I picked up some Quik-Dry Cement for my fence I was putting up at the time. I planned on selling him when I first got him, but as he got older I grew attached to him and decided I just couldnt sell him. My hubby wanted a RIR hen and I didnt want her to be alone so thats why I got him in the first place. So that she could have someone to be around. You can see her in the photos with him. We named them Rudy (cochin) and Ruby (RIR). Is there any certain type of cochin color variety you would suggest getting for him to breed with? Splash, black, blue - are the first ones that come to mind for me; anything else?

 

[chickenlady]

He looks nice for his age however, his foot and leg/hock feathering looks a little scare. Also his feet appear to be black and should be yellow. Check the bottoms of his feet, if they are at least yellow, that will be acceptable. His head is a little narrow too. I hate to pick him apart like this because I do think he is very handsome. I would definately show him in local shows or 4H, without a doubt. Would like to see him in a couple months. Best of luck with him.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Quote:
Thanks.

His feet are yellow underneith. Does anyone have any photos of a nice large cochin rooster at a show that did well for me to compare with?

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Here ya go: