Mille Cochin Info

[ShysCreations]

For all you colorful cochin fans---I placed this hen in the auction section.

I went back/forth over letting her go....buff col is tough to find though she's split to mille fleur. There's some more pics of her on My Page. Was visiting with CoopaCobana on how to judge the younger cochins. I frankly don't have the space for all to grow to maturity so have to cull earlier. I am trying to guess body type on the youngsters by where the tail feathers start--so that the bird has no shoulder space (indicating short back). Where the neck feathers end is almost on top of where the tail hump begins.
I noticed it in my blue mott hen Emma

but especially looking at photos of the champion birds on Cochins Intl.... seem to have no "shoulders" and little "length" to the body. Yeah more experienced breeders may say I'm letting go too early some potential ones but gotta do what I can for our coop space & time. So for example on the youngsters this darkly spotted pullet

has little tail hump showing and a fairly pointed tail. While this rusty pullet

(though her color isn't there yet) has the short back and already a rounded tail and is younger than the darker pullet.

 

[rabbithaus]

Lovely birds everyone!

Sackman, you can send me all the long backed pullets you have if they look as cute as that pullet!

 

[Coopa Cabana]

The SOP for both Male and Female (Bantam Cochins) describes as follows:
BACK: Short, broad from shoulders to saddle, quite rounded in entire length.

And then, for Females:
CUSHION: Rising very full from back at base of hackle, very large and round; plumage, abundant, flowing over wing tips and into thigh plumage.

For Males:
SADDLE: Rising from back at base of hackle or cape, very broad and round, convexed from side to side, plumage extremely long and profuse, lower saddle feathers flowing over tips of wings and mingling with fluff and underplumage of tail.

IMHO, what's important is the relationship between the back being defined as "short" and the cushion/saddle being defined as rising up from the back at the base of the hackle. Emma is a good example of this.

Also, in Males, the head/neck and tail should be carried so that a parallel line drawn with the top of the tail should bisect the eyes.
In Females, this same parallel line drawn with the top of the tail should be on top of the comb.

The hardest part is getting your birds to sit still long enought for you to get a good side photo, when they're relaxed and not stretching their neck out. If you see shortness of back with the cushion/saddle rising at the base of the hackle AND can draw that parallel line from head to tail, you are well on your way! (And you should sent that bird to me!!)

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Here's a great example of form - these are Bantam Partridge from Tom R.'s website. Scroll down and look at the 2006 male and female. Not only can you see the cushion/saddle rising from the base of the hackle, but you can draw that parallel line across the top of both of them!
(Be sure to go to the Bantam Partridge tab!)
http://gff.cochinsrule.com/photopage.htm

I think maybe one of the hardest things to do is to be able to hold onto your birds until they are of an age and maturity to look like this. The space and time to grow out Cochins is a luxury most of us can't afford.

 

[ShysCreations]

Rabbithaus--that may be the case as she matures. She's one (because of her awesome color)...I'm giving longer to grow up and show me her stuff!

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[colowyo0809]

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Nah, you can just give em to us. we still have miles who needs some friends

 

[rabbithaus]

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Nah, you can just give em to us. we still have miles who needs some friends

Hey, I asked first!

 

[colowyo0809]

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Nah, you can just give em to us. we still have miles who needs some friends

Hey, I asked first!

yes, but we are at most 40 minutes away, no shipping time

however, I'll concede, you can have them. Miles can wait until there are girls around who look correct

 

[Lee Gee]

Here are pics of some of the chicks I've raised this summer.

 

[usschicago1]

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That Buff Colombian Hen Is Beautiful !