Mille Fleur Cochin project, F1 update pix

[onthespot]

Msbear, at this point I am only trading eggs with people working on the project, so at least people won't lose anything more than cost of shipping. I think it is worth taking a chance if you want to try it. I think I am going to be doing overkill on the packaging too. WAY overkill. I've got a plan, ya know? I really want people trying to breed these birds to have as good of a chance as possible, and to spread genetic diversity and as much strong, healthy genes as possible to get the variety off to a great start. I know my birds might not be as showy as some, but they are very strong, resilient birds. I totally lucked out how I ended up with the birds I did in the order I did, and that I did some research and found out what I did... but thank goodness I did.

 

[Msbear]

Yeah, I read another post of yours where you were discussing "hardiness" and my birds are from champion bloodines but may have bred out some of that precious trait. I would absolutely love to try. I probably won't be ready to trade for another year...at least. And I will definitely keep you posted on my progress and you do the same

 

[onthespot]

more pix taken today. Two of the pullets are showing promise, with very full cushion, short backs.

and a couple of my mama pullets are getting a lot cuter looking too!

 

[bantyman]

Hey Patty

They are coming along real nice They look real good Wont be long before you are on the next step of your project Mama birds are looking a lot cuter also from the first time I saw them Keep the pix coming

Mike

 

[Msbear]

They're lookin nice! What a waiting game. Im sure you already know which ones you want to cross but now it's just more waiting. I know it will be worth it!

 

[onthespot]

Truth be told, I will be crossing all the pullets to up my chances of getting color. Plus they vary quite a bit in ages, so some of the poofier looking ones were much more narrow looking a few weeks ago. I would rather hatch out one or two more milles from pullets with smaller heads, less cushion, what have you, than only a very select few chicks hatch from only the ones showing early promise. I have watched the mama pullets grow and mature since March and have come to realize that they may not show their best look for many months to come. I can wait. Also, it is not like it causes undue strain on the pullets to breed early. They are going to lay those eggs whether I hatch them or not. May as well give it a whirl.

 

[Msbear]

Absolutely! And I agree, you should cross as many as you can so you have a better selection in the future. The biggest mistake when starting a new color is only doing a few. This severely limits your options when outcrossing for better traits in the future.

 

[onthespot]

Plus I need to go hook up with that gal you introduced to us down by San Diego and get a roo or two from her. That should help with my gene pool. I may get two. I believe so much in diversity (and having a backup roo, just in case) right now I am light on roos, only have eight, one white silkie, one silkie/marans cross, three copper black marans, one splash marans, the mille fleur cochin and one mottled cochin.

 

[Msbear]

only eight.....

I have 5 and two are on their way out! I live in a suburban area so I try to be as discrete as possible. Im ordering eggs from Lynne too so I'm slowly working my neighbors up to a few more roos

 

[onthespot]

Here are a couple update pics of the F1 roo I kept, for type especially. He is really showing a tremendous rounded cusion. I don't know how all that birchen looking stuff will work out with the mille fleur, but he is my pick of what I hatched as an F1 keeper roo based on body feather and typeyness only. I really DO NOT like all that oddball coloring. I am just hoping like crazy that it will get covered up by the mille fleur somehow. Anyhow, good bad or ugly, here he is....