What breed to x with to get a clean legged cochin?

[pen1124]

I really love the cochin but in my opinion hate the feathered legs so i was wondering what i would have to cross the cochin with to get a clean leg but still looks cochin like... if that makes any sense

 

[RAREROO]

Well you couldn't still call them cochins and it will take a few genereations to breed out the feather footing, but Rocks or Orpingtons would be better if you can get them.

 

[Mahonri]

It would take quite a few generations to breed out the feathered feet.... and then breed back to the type you want. I agree, orpingtons ought to work.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

orpintons don't have feathered legs

 

[chickenlittle32]

That is what the OP wants...non feathered legs...

 

[M To The Maxx]

Have you thought about cutting off the feathers on the feet? When they start to grow out again cut them again. But if you don't want to do that go with Orps.

 

[Cornychick]

Why do you hate the feathered legs?

 

[pen1124]

i honestly don't know why but i don't like the feathered feet, they sometimes look dirt too. but i also really like the cochins personality and motherly instinct. And i don't think that the chickens would be that thrilled about having their feet feather cut off

 

[Freeholder]

I think it's a good project -- although the poster who said they would no longer be cochins is correct. You'd be making a new breed, really. The feathered feet are one of the reasons I've always stayed away from Cochins. The Faverolles (which I'm getting into) do have feathered feet, too, but not nearly as heavily as the Cochins. In our heavy clay, heavily-feathered feet would be a disaster.

And I would agree that Orpingtons would probably be the best cross to use. Their feathering and temperament are already similar, so you wouldn't be getting too far away from those Cochin characteristics and it wouldn't (shouldn't) take so long to get back to them. Orpingtons will go broody, too, an essential Cochin trait -- and they might bring the egg production and size up a little, which would be a good thing.

Kathleen

 

[sfw2]

**Picturing "Cochingtons" . . . or "Orpins"**