Breeding Cochins

[Nicole_Hutchison]

Need some help figuring out which hens/roos I need to get rid of and which ones I should keep for breeding. I was told a red/brown will bleed in to the black, white and blue colors?

1) I have both standard size Cochins and bantams. What happens if a standard size breeds with a bantam? What size will the chicks be? Does this impact the fertility rate and should I stick with either standard size or bantams versus both?

2) Here is an overview of my hen to roo ratio. I know I need to get rid of most of my roos and at least the black mixed hen ( this is my only one that is a mix) so I only have pure Cochins left.

Which roo(s) should I keep and which hens should I keep for breeding? They will all be in the same coop. Some are right under a year and most are 1 1/2 years old.

Hens:
1 black Cochin (possibly a mix)
2 dark blue standard size Cochins
5 molted bantam Cochins

Roos:
1 splash (I think) standard size Cochin roo
1 white/black frizzle roo
1 red Cochin bantam roo
1 multi colored Cochin bantam

 

[Texasclucker]

Me personally i wouldn't keep the mix or multicolored or frizzle but its your chickens but they are gorgeous!

 

[Texasclucker]

your splash and blue will go hand in hand and throw you a certain percentage of blue and splash i like them alot!

 

[Texasclucker]

this should help you figure out colors!

 

[Texasclucker]

hope this helps you a bit I'm, not a breeder or expert but these are my opinions on your birds I believe with a little studying you can breed a blue mottled cochin out of these birds Cochins are my favorite!

 

[Texasclucker]

i would probably also get rid of your red roo and get a mottled or black bantam

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@Overo Mare @ColtHandorf

 

[Nicole_Hutchison]

Great thx you! Anyone know what happens when a standard Cochin and bantam mate? Meaning what size will the chicks be?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Depending on which cochin is male and which is female, some chicks will be large, some bantam and some inbetween

 

[JedJackson]

You can mix them but then you'll get intermediate sizes that don't match the standard. And you could get some genetic surprises since the bantams and large fowl are distinct races.

I would do the same as Texasclucker suggested. Breed the large splash male to the large blue females, which should give you 50% splash and 50% blue. And then find a good bantam mottled male to breed to your bantam mottled females.