A very brief introduction to Pekins and Cochin Bantams
Pekins or Cochin Bantams are a true bantam breed, meaning they have no large fowl counterpart. They are friendly and inquisitive, make great pets and thrive in suburban gardens. If you are looking for a pet for children then this is the breed for you.
They lay small eggs, that vary in colour from pink to white to light brown. They are not the most regular layers, and can take lengthy "breaks" from laying due to moulting or being broody.
If you are after dependable layers then look elsewhere. They eggs that they do decide to lay, are small and taste great. Perfect size for a salad :)
They go broody frequently and make excellent mothers. I have never had a problem with a broody losing interest in her eggs, even if i move her and her nest around during the day. They are extremely dedicated!
Once the chicks have hatched they are very attentive mothers, industrious and always busy on the hunt for tasty morsels for their brood. A lot of people have said that chicks raised by a broody will never be as friendly as incubator chicks, i havent found this to be the case at all, all the chicks hatched by my broodies are very friendly.
In terms of colours there are standard colours and non standard colours. Standard Colours are the only ones recognised, and as such can win the big prizes at show. The American Standard only recognises a few varieties, the South African Standard is based on the American Standard, and so the same colours apply.
There are a huge variety of colours to choose from. From the ubiquitous Black and White, to Gold Partridge, Silver Pencilled, Columbian, Buff, Blue, Red, Birchen, Gold and Silver Laced, Mottled, Brown Red, Mealy Grey, Lemon Blue, Lemon Barred, Barred, Mille FLeur and Buff Columbian(plus a few more!)
Many of us are working on other colours, with some very interesting things going on. The added benefit of breeding these bantams is reduced space needed and reduced feed costs, the draw back can be their broodiness if you are trying to get a lot of eggs into an incubator at regular intervals.
Even if you just want a broody to look raise some chicks from your other breeds, cochins rival Silkies in both friendliness and broodiness. They can cover the same amount of eggs, and look much better in the garden in my opinion!
They lay small eggs, that vary in colour from pink to white to light brown. They are not the most regular layers, and can take lengthy "breaks" from laying due to moulting or being broody.
If you are after dependable layers then look elsewhere. They eggs that they do decide to lay, are small and taste great. Perfect size for a salad :)
They go broody frequently and make excellent mothers. I have never had a problem with a broody losing interest in her eggs, even if i move her and her nest around during the day. They are extremely dedicated!
Once the chicks have hatched they are very attentive mothers, industrious and always busy on the hunt for tasty morsels for their brood. A lot of people have said that chicks raised by a broody will never be as friendly as incubator chicks, i havent found this to be the case at all, all the chicks hatched by my broodies are very friendly.
In terms of colours there are standard colours and non standard colours. Standard Colours are the only ones recognised, and as such can win the big prizes at show. The American Standard only recognises a few varieties, the South African Standard is based on the American Standard, and so the same colours apply.
There are a huge variety of colours to choose from. From the ubiquitous Black and White, to Gold Partridge, Silver Pencilled, Columbian, Buff, Blue, Red, Birchen, Gold and Silver Laced, Mottled, Brown Red, Mealy Grey, Lemon Blue, Lemon Barred, Barred, Mille FLeur and Buff Columbian(plus a few more!)
Many of us are working on other colours, with some very interesting things going on. The added benefit of breeding these bantams is reduced space needed and reduced feed costs, the draw back can be their broodiness if you are trying to get a lot of eggs into an incubator at regular intervals.
Even if you just want a broody to look raise some chicks from your other breeds, cochins rival Silkies in both friendliness and broodiness. They can cover the same amount of eggs, and look much better in the garden in my opinion!
Welcome, this is a site dedicated to my journey into the world of Pekin (Cochin bantam) genetics and breeding. A lot of the information here is theoretical, and will be added to when i have finished various experiments. I do not claim to be a breeder or geneticist, i just want to share my thoughts and findings as i undergo my journey.
All images are either mine, produced via the Chicken Genetics Calculator, or shown with permission from various sources. I will explicitly state when an image is not mine.
My findings are based on observation of my small flock, and reading endless articles on genetics, and the help of the good folks on many forums.
All images are either mine, produced via the Chicken Genetics Calculator, or shown with permission from various sources. I will explicitly state when an image is not mine.
My findings are based on observation of my small flock, and reading endless articles on genetics, and the help of the good folks on many forums.