Should I keep my black cochens?

[wisdom_seeker]

This last spring we purchased assorted chicks and 6 Red Sex link chicks from our local TSC. We have 9 Cochen hens left from the assorted group along with other breeds that I DO want to keep.

In August I purchased another 25 reds along with 12 Cornish cross.
The reds are my favorite chicken for the way they act / eat and everything else they do in thier little chicken lives! They started layng at 18 weeks!

Now the Cochens I call them Black bowling balls with pants! They tended to be mean to any other breed and they are now 24 weeks and no eggs. Back when they where chicks I had to daily clean thier rear ends due to pasting

I guess that you could say that I am not a big Cochen fan!

It says in the breeds section of this website that they will not produce many eggs. Is this true?

How much should I ask for if I try to sell them?

Thanks for any help.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
If you are asking, I am just saying I think you should give them to me, I LOVE my Cochins, had one named Britches and have another names Knickers. Yep, just box em up and send em to me......


Seriously, I am surprised you say they are mean, mine are the sweetest most laid back birds. I have a Barred Pair listed for $30.00 , not saying I will actually sell them at that, but I would say $20 - $30 is fair.

 

[SGM]

Well you'll get no help whatso ever from me. I'm a big big big cochin fan. I think you should do whatever you feel is best. Sometimes its best to remove a problem bird especially to keep the peace in the flock. Good luck!

 

[spook]

Well interestingly, we all have a bird, Cochin or otherwise, that can be mean. I think I have 7 of them at this point.

As for keeping the Cochin, I am just begining to get into the Bantam Cochins, wondering what you feed them that can cause so much of a problem. My "kids" shift the feathers out of the way and then pooh.
But, I have heard that Cochins take a while to lay eggs, not known for their egg laying (from what I know about them), also a breeder told me they are a great beginner bird.
Hmmmmmmmm.
Find a group from your area that are having a chickenstock, ask them what a good price is and go sell your buddies.

 

[wisdom_seeker]

I did not mean to offend any cochen owners. :| When we got the chicks from the store we had no idea what we would get. Because we have made an investment in the 9 cochens I would like to know, (if I decide to keep them) will they lay more than 3 eggs a week per bird? Are they typically pets or show birds? When do they start to lay? I might try craigslist but I do not want to sell them to someone who is looking for producton layers if they don't lay well.

 

[MagsC]

I guess if you are wanting eggs, just give them a little more time. But if you truly arent happy with them, its better to sell them.

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

my cochin girl lays about 4 eggs a week. Sometimes 5. She likes to lay them smack out on the garage floor in the same spot each time....silly bird!
Her and my cochin rooster are 2 of my faves (but she hates to be held).
She started laying at about 24 weeks, and every egg from her has been fertile. (I have 3 of her eggs in the bator and one under a broody girl).

I did sell 3 of my chickens that kept escaping into the neighbors yard, sold them to someone I met here on BYC they drove an hour to get the 3 of them and we sold them for $10 each.

 

[squabels]

I just paid 10 dollars for my batham cochen hen that was laying. Bird is my least favorite out of 23 and the only one who acts like a spoiled brat. Im have her for sale now for 5 bucks and thats only because shes to small to eat. Good luck selling them, there beautiful birds but i got a dud.