What Gender is this Partridge Cochin?

[Jenwisp]

Could we see pics of your cutie? I have one I am watching.

 

[Dinosaur Village Keeper]

Could we see pics of your cutie? I have one I am watching.

I don’t know if this helps at all, but here is a pic of my female from last year at just over 5 weeks:

 

[Jenwisp]

Thank you! Mine is going on 7 weeks and still looks just like that. I have been semi suspicious of her because she darts all over and is adventurous. I had an EE hen like that, so I was hoping she was still a girl. Still no pink wattles showing and her comb is just like yours.

 

[Dinosaur Village Keeper]

Thank you! Mine is going on 7 weeks and still looks just like that. I have been semi suspicious of her because she darts all over and is adventurous. I had an EE hen like that, so I was hoping she was still a girl. Still no pink wattles showing and her comb is just like yours.

My Cochin isn’t super friendly, but she does stand right beside me, just don’t touch! All of her different breed sister are more friendly. She also screams like I’m killing her if I can catch her to pick up. If yours looks like mine at 7 weeks, I wouldn’t worry at all that she could be male.

 

[Jenwisp]

Yes, mine squawks bloody murder if I pick her up but if she jumps onto me she is fine with that. haha My EE that was like that is not our head hen but she will help us gather everyone at night like a herd dog. She makes strange noises, more like a parrot... "raawwww" She lets us know if there is someone that hasn't made it back in for the night and she will pop out and do a look around to make sure everyone is in. It will be funny if this partridge is the same way.

 

[Dinosaur Village Keeper]

Yes, mine squawks bloody murder if I pick her up but if she jumps onto me she is fine with that. haha My EE that was like that is not our head hen but she will help us gather everyone at night like a herd dog. She makes strange noises, more like a parrot... "raawwww" She lets us know if there is someone that hasn't made it back in for the night and she will pop out and do a look around to make sure everyone is in. It will be funny if this partridge is the same way.

That is so precious what your head chicken does! Im going to watch more closely at night to figure out the dynamics of what is happening with my girls. I have 2 big mean old chickens that are the head only because of their age and size. They go to bed almost an hour before the others and are mean to everyone. I think their days are numbered!

 

[Jenwisp]

That is so precious what your head chicken does! Im going to watch more closely at night to figure out the dynamics of what is happening with my girls. I have 2 big mean old chickens that are the head only because of their age and size. They go to bed almost an hour before the others and are mean to everyone. I think their days are numbered!

That's the funny thing, Bullet isn't the head hen at all! We have some very bossy ISA Browns that were there first, so they make sure everyone remembers it. So she is just doing it.. for reasons known only to her!

I have 2 ISA Browns in particular that are going out of their way to lay extra pecks on the new Cochin flock. Walking up, darting forward for no reason other than to peck the babies. Not claiming food, or water, or treats. My Easter Eggers are basically ignoring or mildly curious in them but just these 2 ISA Browns are pretty rude. We have 6 ISAs. They are in for a surprise when the cochins fully grow out ( at least 4 are male, and we will be keeping 2 ).

 

[Dinosaur Village Keeper]

That's the funny thing, Bullet isn't the head hen at all! We have some very bossy ISA Browns that were there first, so they make sure everyone remembers it. So she is just doing it.. for reasons known only to her!

I have 2 ISA Browns in particular that are going out of their way to lay extra pecks on the new Cochin flock. Walking up, darting forward for no reason other than to peck the babies. Not claiming food, or water, or treats. My Easter Eggers are basically ignoring or mildly curious in them but just these 2 ISA Browns are pretty rude. We have 6 ISAs. They are in for a surprise when the cochins fully grow out ( at least 4 are male, and we will be keeping 2 ).

Wow! Your situation is almost identical to mine. The poor babies! My babies that have the mama Cochin don’t get treated like that at all. Mama has taught them exactly who to stay away from (and sadly she tells them I'm one of them, unless I have food) and she will full on attack any chicken that gets too close to her babies. That leaves my middle babies, that only have me as a mama, in a not so good way. Like yours, chased around and pecked for no reason. Chickens are almost as mean as people! I watched a video that showed these pecks in slow motion... very surprising that even though the babies cry, they aren’t often even making contact! It sure looks like it though. So I watched mine very close, and it’s true, those babies are lightening fast, and they know they are supposed to be moving over to make way for the queen! Again, a lot like people...

Loved hearing how your chickens behave. It really made me laugh. Thank you!

 

[Jenwisp]

Thank you for responding, I loved hearing about your chickens, too! It may be where the old term "Old Bitty"comes from. The ISAs are a year old, but might feel older because of their genetics. In your situation, maybe the hens will think twice once those cochins hit full size. Luckily for the hens, I have read that cochins aren't likely to hold it against them.

 

[Jenwisp]

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