Brahmas have been exhibited for many, many years, recently their numbers have reached the 100 bird mark at the club show at Stafford, although exhibitor numbers have increased as long I have kept these birds there have always been far more keepers of the breed than show people. The temperament of these “gentle giants” has always given them a pet worthy characteristic.
Until the last 35 years there were only Light and Dark Brahmas now there are 5 standards colours in the UK and seven non standard colours. Currently we have many more new colours (column B) almost sister colours the four main standard colours in the UK (Column A), these birds have come a long way in the last five years the best examples of each of these birds are almost as good as their standardised counterparts.
On the European continent there are more colours which have been developed C, although they lack real quality compared to non standard birds in list B which are colours that have been breed in to the standard colours to improve the quality of characteristics. An example of this is Blue Buff Columbian Brahmas which are bred to Buff Columbian Brahmas.
The first Cochins to come to the UK date back to around the 1840’s, their origin is said to be from North China / Vietnam. Originally it is thought they were developed for their wealth of feather which was used for pillow stuffing.
The modern day Cochin looks very different from the first birds which were imported they have developed to be a much shorter legged bird. Today’s Birds have come along way from the first birds imported.
Currently in the UK the Cochin Club has many members and the club shows are always well supported, the quality of birds is very good, although the partridge Cochins have declined in quality in recent years. The new frizzle variations are not yet ready to be exhibited; however they are making good progress.
