Hot Summer Days

 Even the chickens know that you dip your feet in some cold water to cool down on a hot day. ☀️🌡️

The guys on the breeders academy podcast have taught me so much, and a recent podcast has really important info for these scorching hot days we're going into.

Jeff Mattocks, poultry nutritionist, recommends this homemade chicken "Gatorade" recipe:

2 TBS Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tsp Salt

1-2 Tsp raw honey or sugar

This is per gallon water, and not all the time, but for the times when your chickens are showing signs of heat stress on the extremely hot days of summer.

Cochin Family

 My family of Cochins are all based on my big boy, "Samson." Here's a look at some examples of the family..

Silkie Maintenance

Sharon Honea, Pine Hill Silkies, shared her general inspection and maintenance routine for her Silkies. I think this info can help new Silkie owners to know what to do and when.

Read the post HERE

Fertrell Breeders Supplement

 I wanted to tell you all about this supplement that was created by Jeff Mattocks, company is Fertrell. 

I've been using it for a while and hope it will increase hatchability in my Cochins, and general vigor in all chicks, as well as having the adults in top shape. The hens have stopped laying due to broodiness and the high temps, so I will have to let you know later if I see a difference there. I have a few due to hatch this week.  I can tell you though that I've seen a difference in the chicks that have hatched. They are healthy and active, and what really showed me the difference was in some lavender orpington chicks. I had one batch here, and my mom and sister were raising another group for a couple of weeks. My group had different feed, with the supplement added. Moms group didn't have it. I'll share a picture in the comments to show you the difference. There's only a weeks difference in age of both groups. The chicks getting the supplement are twice as big as the others! They're naturally large birds anyway and get big fast, but this really got my attention.

Here's a short video about mixing the supplement: Here

Occasional Brown Chicks

 

I occasionally get some Partridge-looking chicks from my Black Mottled Cochins. 

For anyone who may be interested in them in the future, this is how they grow out, and what they look like when mature. 

Someone that's very experienced explained that it's from pure black breeding somewhere in their gene history, and is red leakage. 

He advised that they be bred to those who don't show it. 

I still wonder if there's Partridge somewhere in there but?! 

They are beautiful all the same.

Cochins-Ancestor Not A Chicken?

 I'm sure it's because of my love for the Cochin breed in part, but this information just amazes me. I've had chickens all my life, and I've never known any breed to be like true, large fowl Cochins. 

Read These Thoughts Robert Anderson of Blue Hour Poultry

Their calm and intelligent demeanor, the regal but friendly way they have about them, and other qualities that really aren't true to the average chicken. 

They learn and know their names, and other phrases like "time to go home," memorize routines, and people's faces and voices, as well as their familial ways..like a herd of mini elephants lol. Samson watches the door and windows for me..so funny. 

Then hens are quiet and never cackle after laying, which I think is smart. Why would you announce to every predator in the neighborhood that it's a great time to come and eat your young? Most breeds do though lol. 

Some theorize that Cochins are actually descendants of the long-gone Dodo, or another ancestor of the past. I would have to agree.

Cheryl

3rd Generation Cochins

 This Spring's hatch are the 3rd generation of my Cochin family, a tiny milestone in the breeding world. 

From the book, "Start Where You Are With What You Have" by Ralph H. Sturgeon..

"This year marks the crucial test for whether or not your system is going to prove successful."

"You are getting the good, the bad, and indifferent qualities not only increasing in numbers now, but increasing variations."

"If you succeed in uncovering the gene pool you seek, this is the time for elation!" 

So..here's to determining by Fall if I'm on the right track and successful thus far lol. I have three girls in particular that I plan to single mate and then track their chicks all the way through to see if I get consistency, and also who's producing the best offspring.

The book mentioned is a gem by the way, I highly recommend it!