New Cochin Owner..Question about breeding...

[WestKnollAmy]

In more ways than one!

 

[Bec]

Quote:
Blue to blue does not breed true. You will need black and white or splash to produce blues. Blue to Blue will give you 50% Blue, 25% splash and 25% black.


Here is the break down:

Blue x Blue = 25% Black 50% Blue 25% Splash

Black x Blue = 50% Black 50% Blue

Black x Splash =100% Blue

Blue x Splash = 50% Blue 50% Splash

Splash x Splash = 100% Splash

Black x Black = 100% Black

 

[NYREDS]

As a general rule good quality Cochins just have too much feather to mate naturally with any degree of success. If they are good Cochins you may get some fertility by just letting them breed but the percentage is likely to be low.
Most people who breed quality Cochins either trim feathers on both sexes of aartificially inseminate. This is why I stopped raising Cochins. Trimming the feathers ruined the bird for show for the year & the other option was a little too "up close & personal" to suit me.
Hatchery type Cochins often have better fertility because they aren't as well feathered.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Thanks Bec ans NYReds..good to know info. Both of mine are blue and they have lots of feathers..I might trim feathers in the spring. Depend on how they do. I don't want to get up close and personal with the rooster. If I don't have any luck with them, I will just buy more. Thanks again, DJ