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Yes, the Cochins are from hatchery birds and that was the mistake. I am, at this point, assuming that most of these birds are going to be culls. There is an incredible amount of sparring going on between the Cochins and the the meat birds and the fact that they are terrified of me even after I spend time socializing them will put them on the dinner table when we process the meat birds. I have been working on hunting down quality Partridge Cochin stock but it's been hard to find as I am new (I have written folks in the Cochin Int'l club, but no luck so far). Meanwhile, I have high hopes for the Barnevelders. I am on the lists for Julie and Christine in May and am certain that these are not going to be flighty/aggressive birds. These ladies both have excellent reputations.
In the end, the mistake was mine.
Don't give up on your cochins, they are always more flighty as chicks. I raise both Std and Bantam Cochins and they are all Sweeties, in fact one of my most loving roosters I never spent much time with as a chick, he will be a year old in June and is a real lovey dovey. I just showed him a couple weeks ago and carried him around the show like a baby , he would lay his head on my shoulder and nuzzle me.
As far as cost of eggs, I think it has a lot of factors. It mainly comes down to quality and shipping/packing costs. I have worked hard, spent lots of money the last year to build up my flock, my birds are all Show Quality or Breeder Quality. I still think I am being reasonable on what I charge, anywhere from $25-$40 dozen depending on the breed.
hmmm, my cochins (frizzles) came from Lisa (dipsydoodledoo) last year and they have ALWAYS been very friendly, even the goofy cockerals
