My Splash Cochin Bantam Roo- Opinions please~want to show him

[Funky Feathers]

Hi, I think he has turned out great (I raised him from a chick from my own stock). Look at those foot feathers! Please give me your opinions on type, foot feathers, color, quality, etc... expert/show opinions a plus!

 

[muddyhorse]

I like his color but his comb shouldn't flop and he needs more cushion this roo is a decent example

he is by no means perfect

 

[Funky Feathers]

Oh, I know he isn't perfect, Lol! He will never be anywhere near as good as Whites or Blacks, as far as type. You really can't compare colored Cochins to Blacks or Whites. Those 2 will always have the best type, same thing with Silkies. But his comb wasn't always floppy, it got that way recently when it got so big, and is not thick enough to keep it standing up. Will it always be floppy or might it get thicker/stronger and stand up later? Is it genetic?

 

[muddyhorse]

I meant MINE wasn't perfect

How old is he It can take up to 18 months for them to finish filling out.

 

[iluvmychicks]

To be honest he's not a show bird. He has good color but lacks cochin type. He needs to be deeper, wider and more cushion......he's also to long in the back. Did you breed from a lopped comb or a large comb?? That can cause that to happen. His comb will not change it will just get bigger and lop more.

Shari

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I think he's beautiful and unique! I've never shown birds, but I'd snatch him up and snorgle him in a minute.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Quote:
Oh Shari, don't tell me that! Nooooo! His father had a large bot not floppy comb. He will never have the type the whites have. I've never seen a Splash that did. Have you?
Muddyhorse, he is 5 months old. Could he possibly be better by March?

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Steph, I think even tho they can take over a year to mature and fill out, you should still be seeing a lot more/better Cochin type at his age, irregardless of whether he is white, black or parti-colored. Granted, the parti-colors have a ways to go before reaching the stature of the whites and blacks in the show rooms, but we shouldn't allow that to keep us from striving for anything less in the other color varieties.
I agree with the previous posts regarding not only the comb, but with his length of back (cushion should appear to rise from the base of the hackle) and lacking width of breast and cushion - I think he has some structural issues that may not "fill out". And he needs some underfluff!
My roo certainly has a ways to go, and I'm still hoping for some feather faults to molt out, but you can see his (type) development at the same age as yours. I just think that by the time they are 5 months old, you should be seeing more potential.
~Gail

Pic taken 9/25 at 4 months old:

Pic taken last weekend at 5 months:

 

[Funky Feathers]

Thanks Gail, I think I understand it better now. You explained it very well. So I guess I would get laughed out of the showroom with him? Could I show him under "AOB" (any other breed)? HaHa!

Would he be OK as a breeder? If I am selling PQ chicks/juveniles?

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Quote:
That's a tough question, and really a matter of personal preference - if you want to be breeding for pet quality. Personally, I don't have the coop space or feed money to breed for PQ. Unless you have an EXCELLENT hen that can (hopefully) offset his type, I'm not sure it's worth the time.

I totally understand how difficult it is, especially when it's a bird you hatched and raised yourself - that in itself can really cloud our judgment sometimes. I had to make the same keep/rehome decisions with everything I hatched this past spring. I sold off all my MF roos and all the chicks I hatched - just wasn't happy with the results. I've kept my one good hen, and now I'm back looking for another roo. And even tho my original GL pair are excellent and came from a Master Breeder, I sold off (as PQ) over half the chicks I hatched.

I guess maybe you could look at it from a buyer's point of view. If it's a horribly rare color, perhaps they may be interested in buying PQ just to have the novelty of the color. Or if it's a new project color (like MF's), some are inclined to overlook type. But with Splash, they really have a lot more options than rather than just buying PQ.

I think you should be setting your own standard of excellence with your Cochin breeding that you had with your gorgeous Silkies! If I remember correctly, you had some real ribbon winners!