Mille Cochin Info

[County Boy]

And just because I felt like it's been to long since a pisture has been posted- Remington

 

[Fancy Feathers]

I agree, we do need to talk about the faults and what we all think we can do to breed these out, what may be genetic or not, how to improve our birds and what directions we feel are best for doing that.
I certainly want to learn more and every time you all bring something up I try to retain it and learn more and hope I can improve my birds and breeding program.
I would love for all of us to be friends but if not, at least maybe tolerate each other enough to share info and ideas.

I am sorry you are having a bad Monday, Nancy. I hope it gets better!

Thanks Amy

These Cochins can sure be a rollar coaster. I had to force hatch 2 chicks over the weekend. One of them hadn't even pipped internally yet, but I knew if I waited any longer I'd lose them, and these 2 I did not want to lose. I lost Darcy not long after Ruby Rod, and this is her first chick that I'm sure is hers, after I had paired her with Dinner.

There are 2 more of her eggs in the incubator, I hope they hatch. (without help!)

 

[Fancy Feathers]

I feel I post to many pics to but also wish others would share more. But without a lot of pics, how can we learn more. I agree that we really need to work on type. Some birds have decent type but if you look them over well enough you will find faults somewhere.

Right, you hear it all the time: there are no perfect birds!
& you know I love your pics Mike

Like Dave said, you work with what you've got, keeping good records and working towards improvement along the way.

Dave listed many excellent points, and as Amy mentioned, everytime an issue is brought up that envokes discussion, we can all learn from it!

 

[ki4got]

i haven't posted a LOT of pics lately of my cochins, primarily because my "PHD" camera (push here dummy) is mostly broken (works only when tape is involved) and my new one hasn't gotten here yet.

but IMO, yes people need to work on type, but given that my only roo "calico" does have issues, i've acknowledged his shortcomings and have 2 hens that, while having some issues of their own, seem to balance his out. of the 50+ i hatched this year, i'd say i got 4 worth working with, a bunch that were nice enough to pass along as yard candy, and maybe 7 or 8 were sold at meat prices.

unfortunately, of the 4 nice ones, i still have 2, lost one to predation and the other went to Bulldogma. (now i need to get her a better roo too

). i've now got another 20+ growing out, a few of which also show promise, but we'll see. they're all between 4-7 weeks old.

 

[Fancy Feathers]

but IMO, yes people need to work on type, but given that my only roo "calico" does have issues, i've acknowledged his shortcomings and have 2 hens that, while having some issues of their own, seem to balance his out.

I think that's the mark of a good breeder. Not only recognizing the faults in your birds, but knowing how to work with them. &, of course, wanting to.


(tape??)

 

[NosiphoChooks]

Hi there, I have just got two millefleur bantams to add to my very mixed flock! They are currently in quarantine and came from a local farm @ 20 weeks old. Just a couple of questions cus I've never had bantams or feather-legged breeds. Their legs are all dirty and caked in mud from being at the farm, can I wash them? It's really cold here at the moment so I dont want to wash them and for them to freeze. Also when will they start to lay? Do bantams take longer than big chickens?

 

[mjgigax]

Thanks Amy

These Cochins can sure be a rollar coaster. I had to force hatch 2 chicks over the weekend. One of them hadn't even pipped internally yet, but I knew if I waited any longer I'd lose them, and these 2 I did not want to lose. I lost Darcy not long after Ruby Rod, and this is her first chick that I'm sure is hers, after I had paired her with Dinner.

There are 2 more of her eggs in the incubator, I hope they hatch. (without help!)

That chick sure look healthy for a forced hatch! So sorry you lost Darcy. I am still in shock over loosing a couple of my Mille hens last month. I have their chicks but sure would have liked to have the hens longer.

 

[ki4got]

Hi there, I have just got two millefleur bantams to add to my very mixed flock! They are currently in quarantine and came from a local farm @ 20 weeks old. Just a couple of questions cus I've never had bantams or feather-legged breeds. Their legs are all dirty and caked in mud from being at the farm, can I wash them? It's really cold here at the moment so I dont want to wash them and for them to freeze. Also when will they start to lay? Do bantams take longer than big chickens?

yes, you can give chickens baths... but i would recommend a large sink or utility sink (what i have), plenty of time and a blow dryer...

i use plain dish liquid, fill the sink about 3-4" deep with enough soap to give some suds. usually they're mellow enough (and sometimes miserable enough if they're REALLY dirty) to just stand there in the nice warm/hot water (not so hot as to be uncomfortable, but pleasant). if their feet/butts are real bad i'll just let them sit for 5-10 minutes or so, unless they start to get bored. (don't let them drink they soapy water LOL). the last hen i did was so miserable, when iput her in, she sighed and simply laid down and took a nap. if they're dirty all over, i use a measuring cup to pour the soapy water over their feathers on the back/neck and work the soap in with my fingers down to the skin.

rinse well (again nice warm/hot water) making sure you get all the soap residue off, then fill the sink with clean water (again 3-4" or so) and add a cup of white vinegar to the water. this helps cut any soap residue on the feathers and keeps them from clumping, so they'll dry easier.

then comes the fun part. for both of you... blow dry (on low heat) until the bird is nice and fluffy and dry. make sure to get under the wings and down into the fluff on the belly. my birds i've bathed have all loved the blow dry part. even to falling asleep on their backs on the towel on my lap while i've dried their bellies. roll onto the side, continue. LOL i swear i can practically hear them snoring.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

FancyFeathers:. Got my package yesterday, Got a little crushed by the USPS, but thanks to your expert packaging, no broken eggs! I love how you indicated which eggs came from which birds. Been going crazy looking through old posts to picture ID your birds. Thank You!

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

Here was something I noticed that was a huge kick in the gut. This is a split wing. It is genetic and is very difficult to get rid of if bred. If anyone sees this, think twice about using it. It will disqualify you in a show ring. Often, you can see it from a distance as a low or "loose" wing carriage. Upon closer inspection, you see a large gap of feathers that make the wing like it is two halves of a wing.




I realize I am very new to the thread and the color, but this is just something that I feel needs to be brought to attention. Keep good tabs on your birds and their faults and good points! Cull against the disqualifications when you see them and you'll have a nice and uniform flock to sit back and enjoy!

Thank you for bringing up split wing. I mentioned it a while ago and found it difficult to get folks to discuss it.