The Backyard Chickens Breed Guide: The Best by M. Anderson

Author:M. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 1483940675
Published: 2013-03-22T06:00:00+00:00

Cochin

Figure 9: Cochin hen. By grongar (Chicken) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Just the Facts

Origin: China.

Type: Ornamental. Limited laying capability.

Size: 8 to 11 lbs.

Bantam Availability: Yes. Bantams weigh 1.5 to 2 lbs.

Price per Chick: $4 to $5.

Health: Good.

Temperament: Docile and friendly.

Egg production: Low.

Egg Color: Brown.

Noise Level: Quiet. Good backyard chickens.

Special Considerations: None.

Synopsis

Cochins are friendly birds that are fluffy and have leg feathers. They're often described as looking like a big ball of feathers. The soft, fluffy feathers make the already large Cochin appear even bigger than it actually is. There are a ton of colors available. At last count, there were more than 15 different colors of Cochin being sold.

They are people-oriented birds that aren't scared of human contact. It isn't uncommon for Cochins to walk right up to a sitting person and hop up in their lap. They're one of the more patient chickens breeds and are one of the best to have when you have kids around.

These birds are mainly for show. They will lay an egg here and there, but egg production is way behind some of the faster laying breeds. You'll be lucky if you get 100 eggs a year from a Cochin. The hens do go broody and are good mothers capable of hatching and raising chicks of all types. I've seen Cochins hatch ducks, other chicks, geese and even falcon eggs.

Bantam Cochins are available. They weigh in at 1.5 to 2 lbs. and are similar in qualities to the bigger Cochins.

Cochins are quiet chickens that usually only make noise when they're laying an egg. They're a popular choice amongst backyard chicken enthusiasts looking for birds that aren't going to make a lot of noise.

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