Mille Cochin Info

[WestKnollAmy]

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Not to sound like a butt but how can you tell if you have an undermarked Mottled? They usually always start out a bit dark and then lighten with each molt. Unless you have a 3 yr old that is still fairly dark, I thought it would be hard to tell. I mean, a 6 to 1 yr old pullet should already be dark. Or are you just saying if a yr old is showing a lot of white already to stay clear of it?
Just trying to clarify for anyone just beginning in this.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

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Not to sound like a butt but how can you tell if you have an undermarked Mottled? They usually always start out a bit dark and then lighten with each molt. Unless you have a 3 yr old that is still fairly dark, I thought it would be hard to tell. I mean, a 6 to 1 yr old pullet should already be dark. Or are you just saying if a yr old is showing a lot of white already to stay clear of it?
Just trying to clarify for anyone just beginning in this.

You're not the only one that has wondered this silently from the shadows!!

 

[onthespot]

i started with over marked mottled because that was what I had... sometimes you gotta go with what you got and hope to correct later when you get your stock built up.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Yes, well I definitely understand that. It is what I usually do. I have to use what I have and hope for the best.
And I understand what you are saying since I have 2 Mottled hens here and one is very white while the other is not. Both under 2 yrs old, which is a plus to me. It lets me see how I can use them in the future and their offspring.

 

[Msbear]

"undermarked" is relative. I've seen mottled birds which appear to be completelt black with a few white tip in the breast and shoulder at a year old. That bird is still carrying the gene. I think any bird that shows mottling on less than 50% of its body when it is fully mature could be considered undermarked with less white being more desirable for this project.

I agree with Patty though. I don't believe it is too much of a big deal at this point. Type should be given the most amount of attention while tweaking the color when you can. Mille fleur is a complicated variety to get right and it will be many years for most of us, if we make the right choices, before we begin to see nice typed cochins with correct mille fleur pattern.

 

[DANNY]

I have tried mottled x buff columbian and have not seen anything mille yet. I haven't given up but seem to have hit a wall. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

I don't think most do in the F1's - you need to breed the offspring back to the parents before you start seeing anything. Be sure and check out MsBear's BYC page - best history on progression.

 

[Msbear]

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Are they looking all white with streaks?

 

[onthespot]

I'd think they'd be all black with color leakage in the hackles and such, streaked breasts,

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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pictures?