Mille Cochin Info

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
I do not think wire is the best because they can still break some feathers on it. though I have some growing up on wire cage floors and they are doing okay, they still get soiled because the poop does not always fall through. especially where they roost at night and it gathers a good bit. I find myself scraping and spraying the floors off and that is time consuming.

If I were to show mine I would have them on wood shavings and clean it every week. In my Silkie/Cochn shed the floors are deep shavings and their feet and feathers stay pretty nice, even going outside on grass and dirt during the day. However, they break off because of all the roosting poles and boards I have for them to jump around on and the concrete black steps at the poop doors. My d'Uccles get much dirtier than my Cochins with their foot feathers though but maybe because they are smaller, I don't know. They have a grassy pen but are very active paying around all day.

I just can't put mine up and not let them outside, they love scratching around and I love them to be chickens. I am not sure what I will do when I actually get a bird I can enter in a show. Probably have a friend show it. I have a friend that is going to show one or two of my ducks this spring because I don't want to deal with it. Works for me!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I do not think wire is the best because they can still break some feathers on it. though I have some growing up on wire cage floors and they are doing okay, they still get soiled because the poop does not always fall through. especially where they roost at night and it gathers a good bit. I find myself scraping and spraying the floors off and that is time consuming.

If I were to show mine I would have them on wood shavings and clean it every week. In my Silkie/Cochn shed the floors are deep shavings and their feet and feathers stay pretty nice, even going outside on grass and dirt during the day. However, they break off because of all the roosting poles and boards I have for them to jump around on and the concrete black steps at the poop doors. My d'Uccles get much dirtier than my Cochins with their foot feathers though but maybe because they are smaller, I don't know. They have a grassy pen but are very active paying around all day.

I just can't put mine up and not let them outside, they love scratching around and I love them to be chickens. I am not sure what I will do when I actually get a bird I can enter in a show. Probably have a friend show it. I have a friend that is going to show one or two of my ducks this spring because I don't want to deal with it. Works for me!

ok thanks. i think i'll stick with what i've got. seems to work pretty well for me. I think my primary problem is right now, too many chicks for the size of the tub... but until I figure another house for the 'transition' coop, there's no place for them to sleep. I had a doghouse on it, but the doghouse is attached to the 'bachelor pad' until the babies get used to perching at night. maybe by this weekend they'll have the hang of it, then the inside chicks can go out.

 

[joanie_maine]

Quote:
I do not think wire is the best because they can still break some feathers on it. though I have some growing up on wire cage floors and they are doing okay, they still get soiled because the poop does not always fall through. especially where they roost at night and it gathers a good bit. I find myself scraping and spraying the floors off and that is time consuming.

If I were to show mine I would have them on wood shavings and clean it every week. In my Silkie/Cochn shed the floors are deep shavings and their feet and feathers stay pretty nice, even going outside on grass and dirt during the day. However, they break off because of all the roosting poles and boards I have for them to jump around on and the concrete black steps at the poop doors. My d'Uccles get much dirtier than my Cochins with their foot feathers though but maybe because they are smaller, I don't know. They have a grassy pen but are very active paying around all day.

I just can't put mine up and not let them outside, they love scratching around and I love them to be chickens. I am not sure what I will do when I actually get a bird I can enter in a show. Probably have a friend show it. I have a friend that is going to show one or two of my ducks this spring because I don't want to deal with it. Works for me!

ok thanks. i think i'll stick with what i've got. seems to work pretty well for me. I think my primary problem is right now, too many chicks for the size of the tub... but until I figure another house for the 'transition' coop, there's no place for them to sleep. I had a doghouse on it, but the doghouse is attached to the 'bachelor pad' until the babies get used to perching at night. maybe by this weekend they'll have the hang of it, then the inside chicks can go out.

I have most of my juvenile chicks in big cages that have plastic around the bottoms to keep the shavings in. The cages are on top of the breeder pens on pieces of plywood. When they are young and it's extra cold, I wrap towels around the cages and put a 100 watt light on the top. The shavings are deep enough to cover the wire bottoms.

My show birds who are getting ready to show are put in the same kind of cages, but without the plastic and heat. My breeder pens are on a concrete floor with plenty of shavings.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Wow, cool setup!

 

[Cadeau]

Really nice set-up!!

I'd love to have all my birds consolidated under one roof (especially in this cold weather!!)
I bet it's a dream to clean, too!

Do they have little pop doors in the back wall?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Love the way you have them set up. I wish I could do that.
That is really awesome!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Here is a roo I am watching. He has a ways to go but I kinda like him. There is a full brother I have kept back, too, that is a bit younger but looks almost identical to this dude. Neither are exceptional but I never know when I may need something. They are just nice extras for now, though I will probably sell the brother soon. I will keep this dude until I need the space for another upcoming star.

And some of the growing up girls.....

Sister to above rooster. She has some red on her throat but a lot more white mottling than her brothers. I have a few girls like this that I am watching. Pattern will come later but for now I have those white tips, the introduction of the MF gene and am trying to keep good type in there.

 

[Cadeau]

Wow Amy - you have a bunch of nice ones coming up!
You're way ahead of most of what I have in the type department!!

 

[mjgigax]

FINALLY! some updates of my Mille Fleurs - My oldest Roo, Karl. He was hatched Jan. 11th so he is almost 1 year old.

Karl has great color and his chest is filling out but he seems to have kind of long legs and needs a fuller tail.

karl with a couple of pullets and my two origional hens. I have culled down to the 2 hens, 6 MF pullets and two calico pullets.

Diego, my youngest roo, hatched in May. He was from eggs layed after my origional Rooster, Jasper, died.

Another pic of Diego

MF pullets, just begining to lay!

Molly, so far she is my best MF pullet, quite round and fluffy and even has chevrons in her cushions

Diablo, from a Black Mottled hen and a MF Roo. So far best type. He was a roudy youngster, hence his name. He has a nip out of his comb from his "wild youth" but has calmed down to be a nice head roo in the grow-out pen.

Diablo's brother Angel. Same parents but not near the type. I keep him because he had pure white down as a chick. I doubt that I will breed him but he is pretty and is Diablo's buddy, was quite passive but has stepped up.

a Calico pullet, quite "round"

a roo that I am watching and may breed

 

[philogirl]

Hi,
I just found this thread tonight. I am a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in Mendocino County, CA. On Nov 4, 2011 my students and I hatched out 3 Mille Cochin eggs we purchased from luckypickens on BYC. I think they are from wwmicasa1 lines. We love these little guys. We want more. I have read this tread up to page 22 and from page 379 on. I have subscribed to this thread so we can learn more about these birds.

Here are pics of our birds. Sure would like advice on breeding and type.

Cockrel #1

Cockrel #2

The Pullet

The Group with a blue friend.

Thanks,
Beth