Mille Cochin Info

[hinkjc]

Nella, that's a good point. It could be tied to the columbian gene. That boy does have amazing mille pattern on the chest and feet. I especially love the look of it on the feathered feet. so cute!

Happy Chooks, I've never seen an ugly chicken either. I seem to fall in love with all of them...all shapes and colors. That's what gets me in trouble.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
Brereton (21st Century Poultry Breeding - pp 108-109) writes about the theory of the proposed "Hackle Black" (Hb) gene. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the entire concept and how it works. But all he mentions is the eb (brown) allele, and the Pattern (Pg) gene. He does not mention the Columbian (Co) gene.

I think we need to start by seeking out the MFC breeders that have closed flocks with no evidence of Hackle Black, and see if it can be pinned down thru process of elimination. But I think we need to start with the allele (e+, eWh or eb), and then move on to the genes.

And has anyone that started with a Hackle Black male been able to breed it out?

All I know is that last year I had 2 different roos - one had red hackles but the chest chevrons had no black. The other had tri-colored chest chevrons, but also had hackle black. No combination of either roo on any of my (well-marked) hens was successful (IMO). So I'm starting over this year - I was able to secure 2 new roos - both with red hackles and tri-colored chest chevrons. If this doesn't work, I'm not sure what direction to take next.

The SOP for Mille Fleur Plumage for both the Hackle and Back in males is "Brilliant Light Orange Vermillion . . . ".

 

[dldolan]

Quote:
OHHHH! He is very handsome! Can my blue get a date?

What happens when you cross him with a basic Blue Cochin? I am very confused by all the genetics for the various breeds I am interested in: Cochins, Marans, Ameraucanas. Any good links you all can guide me to on color genetics? Grazie, grazie!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have one roo that has black hackles but he doesn't have the MF coloring. I adore him and his color but all his sons come out to look exactly like him when bred to most of my MF girls and the pullets come out with a lot of just black and white so I have been trying to do a bit of creative breeding with him. Still have a ways to go but it is a fun adventure anyhow!

I have much better luck with my red hackled fellas. I get more MF patterns with the chicks off of them.

 

[NellaBean]

I almost wonder if, because of his great markings and black hackles, he wouldn't be better off bred to LIGHT hens. Rather than the mottled. Because the mottling is all there already. Not sure. I have 3 "project pullets" left......not a fan of any of their type. I probably could use some hens that are lacking chevrons but overly reddish.....I bet that cross would turn out well.

Anyone have any? LOL. I just sold my buff columbian/mille hen. Didn't even consider that she might be a good match for him. Duh.

 

[slickchik]

Hi there. I have some beautiful birds from Lynne... And because I am weak, I can't stop hatching!! I let my Mille cockerel run around with all my little ladies and there are two bantam cochin frizzles in the mix. One red and one white. I have been getting lots of mille/red frizzle chicks because my little red frizzle is a good layer.... What color would I expect the babies to be when they feather out? Is that solid red dominant? Also if my little white frizzle ever starts laying again, would the chicks grow out to look similar to the calico Cochins?

I'm just having fun with the frizzling... And I do know about the 50% smooth and frizzled outcome with the chicks.

Thanks!!

 

[wwmicasa1]

Quote:
Brereton (21st Century Poultry Breeding - pp 108-109) writes about the theory of the proposed "Hackle Black" (Hb) gene. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the entire concept and how it works. But all he mentions is the eb (brown) allele, and the Pattern (Pg) gene. He does not mention the Columbian (Co) gene.

I think we need to start by seeking out the MFC breeders that have closed flocks with no evidence of Hackle Black, and see if it can be pinned down thru process of elimination. But I think we need to start with the allele (e+, eWh or eb), and then move on to the genes.

And has anyone that started with a Hackle Black male been able to breed it out?

All I know is that last year I had 2 different roos - one had red hackles but the chest chevrons had no black. The other had tri-colored chest chevrons, but also had hackle black. No combination of either roo on any of my (well-marked) hens was successful (IMO). So I'm starting over this year - I was able to secure 2 new roos - both with red hackles and tri-colored chest chevrons. If this doesn't work, I'm not sure what direction to take next.

The SOP for Mille Fleur Plumage for both the Hackle and Back in males is "Brilliant Light Orange Vermillion . . . ".

Gail,

I just thought for comparison purposes that I would show you how my project has progressed. I'm sure you know that I have a closed flock. Here are pics of where I started over 3 years ago & where I am today. Obviously I'm not educated on genetics but perhaps this "visual" progression will help others.

This is a pic of Hannah & Emily. They are my first Buff Columbian hens. The two chicks are the result of the cross with my first Roo, Casanova. The dark chick turned out to be Bridget & the lighter chick develped into my "first" Diego.

Casanova-As you can see, terrible type & very dark in his coloring. This is a pic taken when he was only about 10 months old & he does look much better now

Diego- F1 of the first cross between Buff Columbian Hens & Casanova (he is the light chick in the first pic)

Bridget-F1-the dark chick in the first pic

Rojo-F4 - notice the black is gone from his hackles, however, the tri color chevrons are beautiful on his breast.

I have just bred Rojo back to the Buff Colombian hens & have 8 new babies. I'm eager to see what the outcome of that cross turns out to be.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Lynne, we anxiously await your new arrivals.

I always love looking at your beautiful birds!

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
Brereton (21st Century Poultry Breeding - pp 108-109) writes about the theory of the proposed "Hackle Black" (Hb) gene. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the entire concept and how it works. But all he mentions is the eb (brown) allele, and the Pattern (Pg) gene. He does not mention the Columbian (Co) gene.

I think we need to start by seeking out the MFC breeders that have closed flocks with no evidence of Hackle Black, and see if it can be pinned down thru process of elimination. But I think we need to start with the allele (e+, eWh or eb), and then move on to the genes.

And has anyone that started with a Hackle Black male been able to breed it out?

All I know is that last year I had 2 different roos - one had red hackles but the chest chevrons had no black. The other had tri-colored chest chevrons, but also had hackle black. No combination of either roo on any of my (well-marked) hens was successful (IMO). So I'm starting over this year - I was able to secure 2 new roos - both with red hackles and tri-colored chest chevrons. If this doesn't work, I'm not sure what direction to take next.

The SOP for Mille Fleur Plumage for both the Hackle and Back in males is "Brilliant Light Orange Vermillion . . . ".

Gail,

I just thought for comparison purposes that I would show you how my project has progressed. I'm sure you know that I have a closed flock. Here are pics of where I started over 3 years ago & where I am today. Obviously I'm not educated on genetics but perhaps this "visual" progression will help others.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/18946_garden_roses_babies_003.jpg
This is a pic of Hannah & Emily. They are my first Buff Columbian hens. The two chicks are the result of the cross with my first Roo, Casanova. The dark chick turned out to be Bridget & the lighter chick develped into my "first" Diego.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/18946_casanova_11-7-8.jpg
Casanova-As you can see, terrible type & very dark in his coloring. This is a pic taken when he was only about 10 months old & he does look much better now

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/18946_diego-_fancy_pants_-hillarys_boy_001.jpg
Diego- F1 of the first cross between Buff Columbian Hens & Casanova (he is the light chick in the first pic)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/18946_bridget_010.jpg
Bridget-F1-the dark chick in the first pic

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/18946_rojo_santiago_002.jpg
Rojo-F4 - notice the black is gone from his hackles, however, the tri color chevrons are beautiful on his breast.

I have just bred Rojo back to the Buff Colombian hens & have 8 new babies. I'm eager to see what the outcome of that cross turns out to be.

Hi Lynne! I was hoping you'd get in on this conversation, as you are one of the few to have a closed flock. I think I've told you before, but it certainly merits mentioning again - I think you hit the jackpot with Rojo! Not only great color, but I think he has some of the best type I've seen in some of your males. I love the nice short (almost invisible) back - the cushion rises right from the base of the hackle. I'm anxious to see what offspring he throws this year!

I can't remember if you went into much detail before about Rojo - is he out of Diego - also with red hackles? Do you remember what color his chick down was? Any chance you have any chick or juvenille pics of him?

 

[wwmicasa1]

Quote:
Thank you for the compliment~! However, I wish I had the type some of your birds have