Mille Cochin Info

[WestKnollAmy]

I love the light, bright colors that come out of these breedings. There are several girls that are not patterned like they should be but I adore the light coloring. They may be a stepping stone to where I need to go but I plan to hang on to them for just eye candy, too if I possibly can. The roos are always so handsome to me anyhow. I have a buff looking boy that has a chocolate tail instead of a black one. He is very well formed and if he isn't gone by this fall I may cross him to something I have here. I am sure he is not true chocolate or even dun but he sure is a nice fella. I gotta stop falling in love with the boys!

It is just so much fun to see how each generation evolves. And I enjoy the challenge of keeping the type while trying to get that pattern in place. It is exciting to pick up a 3 month chick and notice it has developed some white tips on most of the feathers, as I did yesterday with one. I handle the chick every day but with all I do I have not noticed it getting white tips on those black feathers. I got very excited and yet, I have a long way to go!

 

[Msbear]

That chocolatey color comes from the buff. I was at Cochinman's a few weekends ago and he had plenty of buff boys that were just breathtaking. One, in particular, I remember commenting on because of his chocolately feathers... so pretty. He said it was just a different shade of buff...

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

What is the difference between the Calico Cochin and the MFC. Are they just MFC with too much white?

 

[Msbear]

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yup

 

[BluffCountryShepherdess]

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At this point in time the Calicos are basically sports that pop up in the Mille Fleur breeding projects. However, I like them so much that I have been working on a project to specifically breed Calicos! I am now on my second generation of Calicos (the first was the sports). I crossed what Sports I got with other Calicos to reinforce the genetics that create it. Sigrid Van Dorte said that she thinks the Calico pattern/color is the result of "hysterical mottling". The gene for mottling "forgets to shut off" after the white is deposited at the end of the feather. This results in a Cochin that appears to be white with the colored flecks. Ms. Van Dorte was actually quite excited to see the Calico Cochins because she thought the gene for hysterical mottling was only present in Seramas. I'm hoping that by crossing various Calicos I will lock in that recessive gene for hysterical mottling and eventually get them to breed true. I have a pretty good sized flock of Calico Cochins that I am breeding now and will keep you posted on how the future generations develop. If you'd like to see photos of some of my Calico Cochins, they have their own page on my website and are often featured on my blog...

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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And I like the way it expresses itself! LOL
I'll try to get a photo of him today. It is kinda pretty but not a project I care to take on. I may breed him to a few sisters showing the same tendencies if these guys don't sell. Just for fun.
I figured it must have come from the buff side but haven't looked into buff genes very much. It is just so neat to see how all the brothers and sisters came out different from the same parents. But then I hatched a lot to make sure I had plenty to choose from and I got such a variety in color, patterns and conformation, I know I am a long way from stabilizing those genetics on my own birds.
Part of the fun is getting there.

And then I see Nancy's Calico's and am in love all over again!

What an addiction!

 

[BluffCountryShepherdess]

Here are a couple of pictures of one of my F1 Calicos. He's a 3 month old cockerel. Both of his parents were Calico (sports). I'm very pleased with how he's maturing!

Not the greatest photos ~ I took them this morning and he was sitting on top of the waterer!

His name is "Ice" and I can't wait to cross him on some of my F2 Calico pullets!

 

[Shannonmeans]

Beautiful baby!

I have a question. Has anyone tried crossing the red cochins and black mottleds as opposed to the buff cochins and black mottleds? I have read thru this thread and so far I haven't seen any mention of the reds being mixed in. It may be for some genetic reason that I don't know about.

 

[Msbear]

well, the background of the female is buff, not red... and the background of the male is "orange vermillion" or dark, buffish red. The wheaten gene gives that sex-linked differential and turns the buff into orange vermillion when all the parts are there and working properly, of course. I believe the red would make the females too dark.

disclaimer: I am no expert. I am just flying by the seat of my pants and believe my experiences give enough air to propel me.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

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Ditto here - We must have bought into the same group package deal! Hopefully, we won't deflate before landing.

But I would add to what Msbear said regarding the Co (Columbian) gene - there seems to be some disagreement as to whether it is necessary or not, but I think the majority say it is necessary to produce MF.