Mille Cochin Info

[WestKnollAmy]

With good bloodlines you do not get birds that get too white as they mature.
My 3 1/2 year old Mottleds are definitely not too white!



The roos have even less white. Some bloodlines do get more white as they mature and those we steer clear of for putting into our breeding program for MFC. It seems to be in the blue Mottleds for me.
It takes research and dedication to know what to add and what not cull. However, if they introduced too much white I would be getting a lot more Calicos! I can't seem to get any!

 

[mibirder]

A s Amy mentioned, it is important to consider the quality of mottling in the birds you introduce. When you look at the standard for Mottle, the white tips should be quite small compared to many Mottles you'll see. In fact it's described as a white pearl at the tip of the feather. I think its supposed to be 1/4 to 3/8 inch. Additionally the number of tipped feathers is rather small - without checking, I think it is 1 in 3 or only about 33% of the overall bird.

Many Mottles have what's called "hysterical mottling" which tends to be larger amounts and sizes of white tips. These tend to whiten with each molt the most. They look more like a black bird splashed with white which may even include fully white feathers.

Look for "older birds" maybe a year or more that have the type you need plus nice smaller pearl tips and minimal white feathers.

Dave

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have a hysterical Mottled roo and several hens. Those are not used in the breeding pens. They are neat looking but have no place in our MFC projects.

Here is the roo. Too much streaking and white, even at a young age.



This hen is much too white, as well, even as a pullet.



I breed this into my MFC birds. I have not gotten too much white so far because of it, though I am waiting for something to pop out. This is a pullet and she will eventually have more white on her than most people like but her tipping is very nice for what I want in my breeding pens.



Again, same roo as above. Lovely type, too much white. Great for other breeding pens but I would never introduce this into my MFC. Not even his bloodlines because you never know where a modifier could be hiding to join up with another to cause all kinds of trouble later on down the line.

 

[Fancy Feathers]

From reading earlier posts on this thread; the mottling is added to help with the black bands/ chevrons/ breast flowers.

- Reason why I'm really looking forward to using my f4 Mottled/MF in my breeding program. These 2 are a good example, she has pretty good type, and working towards decent MF color and pattern except her chevrons only extend along her back. Bred to him I'm hoping to get some birds with nice type and better pattern.

(Bad picture! I don't always take nice pictures

)
(Macho just jumped up there, don't know what's up with that stuck-out wing feather..)

 

[Fancy Feathers]

Amy, any one of those birds you don't want anymore, stick 'em in a box. ship 'em to me!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Nancy, you would not believe how many birds I have running around that I keep saying I need to sell but when it comes down to it, I stick them in a big pen and call them my 3rd string! LOL I can't help it! I get much too attached to them.
Those poor buff barred I got from Lynne run screaming when they see me coming! They just know I am going to pick them up and love on them and all that kissing gets on their nerves! LOL However, the buff pair I got a few weeks ago at the show are the same way and they were show birds! I suppose there is only so much Amy one can take! All of these birds were used to being handled. I suppose I go a bit overboard.

Thank you for the compliment. You have excellent birds and type and do not need any of my silly birds to help you. I think you will be a leader next year!

 

[Fancy Feathers]

My breeding program took a big hit recently. Ruby Rod died. I just got the results of the necropsy back and he died from E Coli?? It was sudden - he was perfectly fine, then one night there was something wrong with him, the next morning he was dead. I haven't talked to the vet yet, the tech is who gave me the results. I'm out there busting my butt keeping the pens clean with fresh shavings/ straw, I scrub the waterers daily. I don't get it. This really sucks. and why does it always have to be your best/ favorite birds?? Ruby Rod??? He was my FIRST chicken this year, along with Inky.

 

[Fancy Feathers]

Thank you for the compliment. You have excellent birds and type and do not need any of my silly birds to help you. I think you will be a leader next year!

That's funny for you to say that because I got my first 2 birds from you.
It's too bad I didn't even get a chance to breed Ruby Rod back to his better-marked daughters as was my plan.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Oh no!!! That is horrible! I am so sorry!

I wonder if the nice days that they were outside enjoying the weather if he didn't pick it up from a migrating bird? They step in something and then clean their foot. It isn't very hardy to stay alive but it can survive some outside time. I can't say it was due to your husbandry, because I am sure you do clean everything well. Gracie is reason enough for you to keep everything very clean.

I feel horrible for you but understand it can happen. At least they told you something. The few birds I ever took in for necropsy here always came back inconclusive.

And in my comment I meant that you were growing by yourself and needed no help from my over mottled birds. Though I was teasing!

Really, you have made excellent strides with your breeding choices and I am very impressed with your kids from all the ones that you show us.

Again, I am super sorry about Ruby Rod. He was a dynamic rooster!

 

[Fancy Feathers]

Really, I knew you were teasing, I was just pointing out that I started with good stock

And then feeling sorry for myself for having lost my foundation roo, who I really loved