moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I sent a few photos to the breeder the other day as I was worried about Bobbie's feather loss. Turns out that Bobbie is fine she's just still getting her adult feathering - but he delivered the devastating news that Skye (blue cochin in the pics below), may actually be a cockerel!! He's said he can't be sure so I'm sending some more in a couple of weeks. He thinks that she looks 'hennish' around her hackles but her head is looking 'cockerally'!! What do you think? Please all you cochin owners and experts out there - what did your girls look like at 18 weeks? Bobbie and me would be so sad if I we had to part with her I love her she is such a character This one shows her head, maybe he means her wattles are on the largish side for her age? Tail feathers - I read in my chicken book that cochin hens are supposed to carry their tails low!! and a side view of her - I would welcome your opinion I'm desperate to know and to wait another two weeks is killing me (I keep thinking I can hear her crow!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Her neck feathers look rounded to me, so maybe she is a girl?? Do you have any pictures of the back of her neck, as the ones in the above picture show the breast feathers more clearly? Hope she is a girl. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 ooh I didn't realise hackles were the back of the neck feathers. Hang in there Christian I will see what I've got! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 In my opinion, she looks like a little Lady to me. She definitely has girlie tail feathers and I would have thought would have a much more developed comb by now if she were a cockerel. At the moment I would say she is female. Do you have a Practical Poultry account? If not, I would be happy to post the pictures for you and send you the link to what they say. It usually takes a few days to register, so I don't mind posting the pictures tonight. They are usally very good at this type of thing. Good luck, I hope she is a girlie. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 this is misty my cochin. I still think Skye looks female to me. Her comb looks the same as Misty's. even though in your pictures Skye's tail is quite upright, some days my cochins tail feathers are up and some days they are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 Do you have any pictures of the back of her neck, as the ones in the above picture show the breast feathers more clearly? Here are some of the back of her neck (why does photobucket take and age when you're in a hurry!!??) s'cuse the chicken poo and unfinished patio (this one's of the back of my neck too if it helps!! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Both your girls are absolutely beautiful Ros. and so is your run. I really hope Skye is a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Beautiful 'back of neck shot'! Skye's is pretty good too! She does look Girlie to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 At the moment I would say she is female. Do you have a Practical Poultry account? If not, I would be happy to post the pictures for you and send you the link to what they say. It usually takes a few days to register, so I don't mind posting the pictures tonight. They are usally very good at this type of thing. I don't have a account unfortunately but I subscribed to their mag yesterday, but thanks for the offer that's very kind of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 oops sorry I typed for Practical Poultry and it came out as chicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks guys soooo much I feel a lot more positive now, I was in tears last night (I can't even concentrate at work how sad is that!!?) and thanks for your kind comments Chelsea, I do love my two little girls. They love their run, it's not home made though and cost an arm and a leg. I can't afford any new clothes now for the rest of the year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 I give up!! Chickens are appearing all over the place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 AAhh he/she is beautiful and so is their run, it look soooo clean My fingers are crossed that she is indeed a girl Faye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 They'd only just moved in!! Won't be clean for long I doubt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 They'd only just moved in!! Won't be clean for long I doubt! No I doubt that too! although you ruined my illusion that you have house proud girls Faye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 i have no idea if she is a he but i just wanted to say they are both absolutely gorgeous. sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks Sarah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Looks girly to me too. The tail feathers are impressive but not in a butch way. The hackle feathers look rounded. The comb and wattles don't look boyish. See which happens first....laying an egg or cock-a-doodle-doing then you will know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Just wanted to say that your girls are absolutely gorgeous, Ros. Hope everyone is right and she is a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks guys for all your advice. I still feel a bit uneasy about it but a lot better than I did. She's a massive old girl and a real joy I couldn't imagine life without her to be honest. Anyway thanks again will keep you posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Looks girlie to me too, but that doesn't look like a cochin tail, male or female. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Looks girlie to me too, but that doesn't look like a cochin tail, The more I look at the photos the more I think I tend to agree with you Clare. If you compare Skye with my Misty their tails are completely different, and even when Misty's tail is up - its not quite that high. Just showed hubby (who works with chicken), he also thinks female. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 No, I don't believe that's a boy at all. I know some breeds it's difficult to tell, and I'm not terribly familiar with the big breed chooks, but I'd put money on that one being a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Looks girlie to me too, but that doesn't look like a cochin tail, male or female. Maybe she's crossed with something else then!! And he (the breeder) didn't let on because he knew I was a complete novice and probably wouldn't notice. That's why I thought he might be right in her being a boy - because of that tail! Cheeky breeder if that is the case!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 the comb, wattles and feet/legs are definitely cochin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
