What do judges look for in blue cochins?

[jeaucamom]

Also looking for what jusdges look for in cochins. I thought the pic with her feet showed more, but her feet are beautifully feathered and she seems to have a full bushy tail and her face is pretty. Just looking for other opinions. Thanks, Suz

 

[silkiechicken]

If you could find the standard of perfection for blue cochins that would be the best place to start. Depending on the type of show, fair vs real poultry show, they will judge more or less harsh against that standard of perfection.

 

[TripleStackPoultry]

Ok the main thing you want in cochins is the large "CUSHION". By cushin i mean the overly large ball like tail feathers. Also in any blue variety you want that darker lacing of the feathers. In addition to the above you want VERY wide feathers through the tail .


The only things that concern me about the birds is here color getting lighter and possibly her cushin size. But for the most part NICE bird.

How old is she ?

Beacause age is a main factor to the cushin issue....

 

[jeaucamom]

Her color is not as light as the pic, as it was backlit from the sun. Her color is much more even than that. And she was hatched 8/30/07 so she is about 16 weeks old.

 

[TripleStackPoultry]

Ok than you'll outta have one heck of a show bird for the coming years .... also a trick of the trade is wash their tail feathers every three days for the month b4 a show .... use a hair drier and use the fancy moisturizer shampoo.... dont worry she might not like it but it makes them smell great and keeps enough oil in their feathers for a smooth touch .... but back to the drier .... once she's been rinsed thoroughly use the blow drier and blow up on the feathers occassionally fluffing them with your free hand .... These are tips I learned from and old wise chicken farmer near the canadian border in ND.... This guy had some amazing advice he shared with me .....

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

I'm currently studying for my ABA judging certification, but from your pics I'm guessing your cochin is standard size. But according to the current Standard of Perfection here is some info for you...

STANDARD WEIGHTS

Cock...............................11 lbs. Hen.......................................8 1/2 lbs.
Cockerel...........................9 lbs. Pullet..........................................7 lbs.


The Female Shape – as defined in the American Poultry Association, Standard of Perfection

COMB: Single; small, straight and upright; nicely rounded to conform to shape of head; divided into five points; free from wrinkles, fine in texture.
BEAK: Short, stout at base, curving to point.
FACE: Smooth, fine in texture.
EYES: Medium in size.
WATTLES: Small, nicely rounded; fine in texture.
EAR LOBES: Oblong, fairly well defined, fine in texture.
HEAD: Neat, fairly full in skull, fashioned after that of male, except finer in form.
NECK: Short, nicely arched, plumage, very full, slowing well over shoulders and cape.
BACK: Short in appearance, very broad, well rounded; shoulders, broad, flat under neck feathers; cushion rising from cape. large, full and round; plumage; profuse, flowing over tips of wings well into thigh plumage and almost covering tail feathers.
TAIL: Short, broad at base, carried rather low; well filled underneath with profusion of soft feathers and nearly enveloped by tail coverts, which help to form the cushion.
Main Tail Feathers -- broad and overlapping.
WINGS: Small, well folded and carried without drooping; fronts embedded in plumage of breast; tips, concealed between cushion and thigh plumage; wingbows smooth and exceedingly well-rounded.
Primaries and Secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.
BREAST: Carried low in front, full, well rounded, of great breadth and depth.
BODY AND FLUFF: Body -- medium in length, broad, deep, full and well rounded from point of breast to abdomen, well let down between legs, full and round from breast bone to tail, with great length and fullness of feather.
Fluff – full, soft, profuse.
LEGS AND TOES: Legs set well apart, straight when viewed from front.
Lower thighs -- medium length, moderately large, straight; with great profusion of long, soft, outstanding fluff plumage, completely hiding hock and covering shanks almost to feet.
Hocks -- should be well covered with profusion of soft flexible feathers, curving inward about joints free from vulture-like feathers.
Shanks -- short, stout in bone, covered profusely with long plumage.
Toes -- four on each foot, straight, well-spread; middle and outer toes, heavily feathered to ends.

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

Vulture hocks, shanks not feathered down the outer sides, outer toes not feathered to last joint, bare middle toes