Mille Cochin Info

[Msbear]

Hey Nancy, I don't think you have to go mottled. I did because I was interested in acquiring the rear end these particular mottleds had. You could go for well-marked milles and be two steps ahead of me in the color dept.

Also, many of the original mille breeders started with crossing two or more varieties to obtain the pattern so I think all of these lines were are seeing are genetically diverse. I just like to see the intermingling of lines so, in the future, (10 years from now+) there will be many different lines to choose from and this will be beneficial to the variety.

Nancy, maybe check around for a nice cockerel. I know Lynne has many to choose from. Pick one that may be too dark for mille but could give your flock some balance. Make sure he has three colors on his chest and bring him in. Im no expert either... just repeating things I've heard from more experienced breeders than myself.

 

[JOSHSBANTAMS]

Quote:
Erin, I've put one of my really heavily chest-mottled Roos in with the BuffC's. I'm hoping that his heavy chest mottling will help but if not I'll keep a few of the best type offspring to breed back to my good colored birds next go around.
I also have a couple of Roos that I hatched from Ralph's cross to Tom's BuffC's (I think) that I might use later this summer back to my birds, that should be a step closer than the one's I've just started breeding. I'm hoping that I can tell that they are the cross so I can skip a step.

I'm also breeding two other separate lines. One of witch is the line that keeps having the green feet popping up. These hens have excellent type and really nice color.

The other line has hen's that have much better color patterns but not as good of type.

I've got a couple of young Cockerels that I'm really excited about that I'll have to get some pictures of. They are shaping up to be really nice typed birds with really nice color patterns.

My pullets have started laying up a storm this last few weeks. I can't wait for them to get a bit older so I can really start hatching. I'm really starting to get excited about this project again. My wife's already threatened me about over hatching ) She's going to be in for a big surprise....

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
I cannot believe yours are laying! You must have the coops lit. I haven't gotten eggs in weeks. Good thing to cause my incubator's been going full steam for a couple months and my laundry room is one big brooder

My hubby is keeping it together, though... for now

Josh, I think you've got it all together. I should have known

The roo you have in with your BC hens sounds perfect. I cannot wait to see whatcha get. I got a roo from Tom at a show about a month ago to save me a step. He's buff columbian x Jamie's mottled and has a HUGE cushion. He's displaying the silver gene though so Im a bit concerned about that... but Im very anxious to see if the type will come through. I feel bad cause Tom gave him to me after I boo hoo'd about not having any luck with fertility in my mottleds... then, I get the roo home from the show and hatch 3 the next day... isn't it ironic

Oh, well. I know Tom was done with him anyway.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

My little hen is laying too! We went from -0 weather to about 25 degrees--so it's been close to 50 degrees in the coop. She was trying to get broody on me yesterday--I had to PRY her little feathery butt off three eggs (hers & two large cochin eggs) and she was NOT happy! LOL

 

[WestKnollAmy]

So far, I have not had any trouble with fertility. I hatched out about 10-12 Mottleds recently and about 30 MFC project chicks. Now the roos and hens are switched so I am excited about that hatch! There are plenty of unrelated birds because I kept buying. It won't be long, though before I will need new blood. Right now I am trying to focus on who looks the best and keeping track of how they are growing up. I try not to look but they are so darn cute!

 

[Msbear]

If you line breed correctly, you won't have to get new blood for .....ever ... unless, of course, you stumble upon some fluffy butts you just cannot resist

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Shhhhh!

That is what I was going for....more fluffy butts! LOL
I should be good for a while but I know I will be much too tempted in the future to resist eggs or birds. Everyone has such nice project birds and I will be wanting to change this or that on mine, I bet. There will be something lacking somewhere in my birds and I will just have to get more!

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Erin, Love the pic of your Holiday Snow Coop!! Congrats on being selected "Pic of the Week".

 

[chickenlittle32]

I have to agree...that is one of the most beautiful pics I have seen!!!!

 

[SunshineSilkies]

Just wanted to post some updated pictures of my MFC's!!! The trio that I have are 7 months old. The youngest roo is almost 4 months old..I breed silkies, so this project is new for me. The girls are laying now..no fertile ones yet but still checking every one I get!! What do you think of them?

Chili

Taco
Look at the feathers on his feet!!

The girls-Bertha & Bessie

Bea

I love them!! I got my start from tate..(Ralph Phillips) I read all of the posts trying to learn what I can from all of you..This is definately a project in the works!