Cochin Chickens: The Fluffy Giants That Will Steal Your Heart

Have you ever seen a chicken that looks like it’s wearing feathery pajamas? That’s probably a Cochin chicken! These adorable birds are basically walking pillows with beaks, and they’re one of the most beloved chicken breeds for backyard flocks.

As someone who’s raised several Cochins over the years, I can tell you they’re much more than just pretty faces These gentle giants have a fascinating history, unique characteristics, and make wonderful pets for chicken enthusiasts of all experience levels.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this magnificent breed – from their royal history to their cuddly personalities and special care requirements.

The Royal History of Cochin Chickens

The story of how Cochins captured the hearts of the Western world is pretty fascinating!

Cochins first came to prominence in the 1840s. Despite their name “Cochin-China,” these birds actually originated from what is now Vietnam (which was a French colony at the time) – not China as many believe The original birds looked quite different from today’s fluffy versions – they were taller, more rangy, and resembled Jungle Fowl or Malays

The pivotal moment for Cochins came when Captain Edward Belcher presented some of these exotic birds to Queen Victoria of England. The Queen who was quite the poultry enthusiast fell in love with them and built special enclosures just for her Cochins. Her royal endorsement sparked what became known as “hen fever” – a Victorian obsession with exotic poultry!

This poultry craze swept through the UK and later the US, fueled by the development of both Brahma and Cochin birds. During this period, these exotic fowls could fetch hundreds of pounds or dollars – an astronomical sum at the time!

Interestingly, the original Cochins were excellent egg layers, but as breeders began selecting for appearance rather than utility, their productivity declined. The modern Cochin we know today is the result of selective breeding that prioritized their fluffy appearance and gentle temperament over egg production.

The Cochin was recognized in the first edition of the British Poultry Standard in 1865 and in the American Poultry Association standard of 1874.

Physical Characteristics: Head-to-Toe Feathers!

When people see a Cochin for the first time, they’re usually amazed by the sheer volume of feathers. Let me break down what makes these birds so visually striking:

Size and Weight

• Standard Cochin males: Can weigh up to 11 pounds
• Standard Cochin females: Around 8-9 pounds
• Bantam Cochin males: About 30 ounces
• Bantam Cochin females: Around 26 ounces

Feathering

The most distinctive feature of Cochins is their excessive plumage that covers literally everything – even their legs and feet! This abundant feathering gives them a heart-shaped silhouette when viewed from the side. Their feathers are soft and fluffy, making them appear much larger than they actually are.

Colors and Varieties

In the United States, Cochins come in several beautiful color varieties:

• Black
• Blue
• Buff (probably the most popular)
• White
• Partridge
• Brown
• Gold-laced
• Silver-laced

The UK recognizes slightly different variations, including cuckoo Cochins, which aren’t recognized in the US (which is a shame because they’re gorgeous!).

Other Physical Features

• Comb: Single, five-point comb that’s red in color
• Wattles and earlobes: Also red
• Eyes: Golden yellow
• Beak: Color varies with the bird’s overall coloration (yellow/horn to black)
• Legs and toes: Yellow and fully feathered
• Skin: Yellow

Frizzle Cochins

Some Cochins are “frizzled,” meaning their feathers curl outward instead of lying flat. This gives them an electrified, wind-blown appearance that some chicken keepers find absolutely irresistible! However, frizzle Cochins require special care because their curled feathers provide less insulation.

Personality: Big Bodies, Bigger Hearts

I’ve owned many chicken breeds over the years, but Cochins stand out for their exceptional temperament. Here’s what you can expect from these gentle giants:

Disposition

Cochins are incredibly docile, friendly birds. They’re known for being calm and easy to handle, making them perfect for families with children or for anyone who wants chickens they can actually cuddle with.

The roosters are especially mellow compared to other breeds – they rarely get aggressive or quarrelsome. However, I should mention that bantam Cochin roosters can be more feisty and territorial than their full-sized counterparts.

Broodiness and Mothering

If you’re interested in hatching eggs, Cochins are your dream chicken! The hens are fantastic broodies and make exceptional mothers. They will happily sit on any eggs you give them and have been known to adopt abandoned chicks from other hens.

Their large size even makes them suitable for hatching duck and turkey eggs! They’re so maternal that they’ll often hatch multiple batches of eggs per year if given the opportunity.

Activity Level

Let’s be honest – Cochins are not the most active chickens in the world. They tend to be a bit lazy and prefer hanging around the feeders to foraging. This tendency toward laziness does make them easy targets for predators, so they should be kept in secure enclosures.

The good news is that they’re very easy to contain since they’re poor flyers. A two-foot fence will typically keep them safely enclosed.

Egg and Meat Production

While Cochins are primarily kept as exhibition or pet birds today, they do have some production qualities worth noting:

Egg Production

• Quantity: 180-200 eggs per year (not impressive compared to laying breeds)
• Size: Small to medium, though some report moderate to large
• Color: Light brown
• Laying Pattern: Unlike most chickens, Cochins often prefer to lay through the winter months!

Cochins typically begin laying eggs around 5-8 months of age, which is a bit slower than more productive breeds. Their egg production usually only lasts about 2-3 years.

Meat Production

Cochins aren’t typically raised for meat these days, but they can produce decent table birds:

• Can be slaughtered as early as 12 weeks
• Better as capons (castrated males) at 12-16 months, producing 10-12 pound carcasses
• Meat tends to be dark and somewhat coarse in texture

Health Considerations and Special Care

Cochins are generally hardy birds, but there are some health considerations specific to this breed:

Obesity

Due to their lazy nature and love of eating, Cochins are prone to obesity. Unlike other breeds that will forage actively, Cochins tend to park themselves by the feeder and eat continuously if allowed. It’s important to monitor their weight and possibly ration their food.

Parasite Management

Those beautiful, dense feathers can harbor external parasites like lice and mites. Regular checks and dust baths with diatomaceous earth are essential for keeping these pests at bay.

Foot and Leg Issues

Their large size and weight can lead to foot problems like bumblefoot (a bacterial infection in the foot). Lower roosts can help prevent injuries from jumping down.

Feather Maintenance

After rain or snow, Cochin legs can become caked with mud due to their feathered feet. You might need to bathe their legs in warm water and dry them thoroughly to prevent issues.

Climate Considerations

• Cold weather: Cochins do extremely well in cold weather thanks to their dense feathering
• Hot weather: They struggle in heat due to all those insulating feathers

Frizzle Special Care

If you have frizzled Cochins, they need extra protection from cold and wet conditions as their curled feathers provide poor insulation. They also cannot fly at all and may need special accommodations for roosting.

Is a Cochin Chicken Right for You?

Before you rush out to add these fluffy giants to your flock, let’s consider the pros and cons:

Advantages

• Exceptionally friendly and docile
• Great for families with children
• Excellent mothers and brooders
• Beautiful, unique appearance
• Cold-hardy
• Don’t require tall fencing
• Content in confinement
• Lay eggs during winter months

Challenges

• Not great egg producers
• Prone to obesity
• Require special care for feathered feet
• Not heat-tolerant
• Slower to mature than other breeds
• Poor foragers
• Need lower roosts
• May require more frequent health checks

My Personal Experience with Cochins

I’ve had Cochins in my backyard flock for about five years now, and they’ve become the stars of the show whenever visitors come over. My buff Cochin hen named Butterscotch is particularly friendly and will follow me around the yard like a puppy.

One thing I’ve noticed is that while they’re not the most productive birds, they make up for it in personality. When all my other hens stopped laying during a particularly cold winter, my Cochins kept providing eggs consistently.

The biggest challenge I’ve faced is keeping their feathered feet clean during muddy seasons. I’ve learned to create pathways with wood chips in their run to minimize mud exposure.

Housing and Care Requirements

If you’ve decided a Cochin might be right for you, here are some specific housing and care tips:

Coop Requirements

• Lower roosts (12-18 inches off the ground)
• Spacious nesting boxes to accommodate their large size
• Good ventilation while avoiding drafts
• Clean, dry bedding to keep feathered feet healthy

Feeding

• Standard layer feed (16-18% protein)
• Extra protein during molting (their massive feather replacement requires more nutrients)
• Careful monitoring of treat quantity to prevent obesity
• Limited scratch grains (they don’t need the extra calories)

Space Requirements

While Cochins tolerate confinement well, they still benefit from adequate space:

• 4-5 square feet per bird in the coop
• 8-10 square feet per bird in the run

Integrating with Other Breeds

Cochins generally get along well with other breeds due to their docile nature. However, their slow movement can make them targets for bullying by more aggressive breeds, so monitor interactions carefully.

So, what is a Cochin chicken? It’s a gentle giant with a royal history, a feathery fashion statement, and one of the friendliest chickens you’ll ever meet. While they may not fill your egg basket like a Leghorn or grow as quickly as a meat bird, they offer something perhaps more valuable – personality, beauty, and companionship.

Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper looking to add some fluff to your flock or a beginner searching for a friendly, manageable breed, the Cochin deserves your consideration. Their calm temperament, cold hardiness, and striking appearance make them wonderful additions to any backyard flock.

Just be prepared – once you get your first Cochin, you might find yourself with a serious case of “hen fever” just like those Victorian poultry enthusiasts did almost two centuries ago!

Have you raised Cochins before? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

No, Cochin chickens are not good layers, producing a moderate amount of medium-to-large brown eggs per year, ranging from approximately 110 to 160, rather than the high production of breeds like Leghorns. They are known for their gentle personalities, maternal instincts, and ability to lay eggs in winter, but their genetics can cause them to become too fat, which halts egg production.

Cochin chickens lay light to medium brown eggs, which can sometimes appear creamy, light pink, or even have a slight brownish tint. The exact shade can vary between individual hens, but generally, the eggs are brown.