If you are trying to find a perfect chicken to care for, you might have heard of Cochin chickens. These balls of fluff are one of the most well-known chicken breeds worldwide, and poultry owners love them! Here’s a simple Cochin chicken guide you can refer to as you get to know them.
| Lifespan | More or less 10 years |
| Size | Large (up to 11 lbs) |
| Color | Various (White, Brown, Combined, etc.) |
| Egg production | 96-160 per year |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Shelter need | Ample |
| Temperament | Docile, calm, and quite playful |
Getting to Know Basics of Cochin Chicken Breed
As you may have already heard, cochin chickens are quite the celebrity, winning prizes and being one of the chicken breeds that urged people to keep chickens in their backyard.
Yes, they are quite the impressive breed that’s a complete package on the outside, but there is still more to learn about them besides their fluffy looks and prizes!
History of Cochin Chicken
Cochin chicken has come a long way on the poultry journey; their ancestors have been assumed to be around ever since the 1850s.
These chickens are initially from China and then, later on, have been shipped and spread to other parts of the world, including Europe and North America. With origins in China, these birds have had an incredible journey to be known and appreciated worldwide.
Their name began as ‘Shanghai chickens,’ but later on, their size has led them to be fondly referred to by many as ‘cochin-chinas,’ it’s a homage of sorts that honors where they come from while marking how far they’ve gone.
Over their journey to different places, they have been recognized not only because of their baggy and fluffy feathers but also of their social personality.
These factors have helped increase people’s interest in raising chickens, and a phenomenon also referred to as ‘chicken fever.’ Cochin chickens have been an all-time favorite, and they even won the favor of Queen Victoria; in fact, she was one of the cochin chicken enthusiasts back then who kept a whole pen of chicken to raise.
Cochin Chicken Features
Appearance
Cochin chickens are quite the catch when it comes to their appearance. Adorned with a cascading plumage of fluff, the regal Cochin Chicken stands out among other breeds.
Exquisitely large and soft to touch in a way that no other chicken can match – these majestic birds even bear thick feathers on their legs showcasing something truly special! This is one of their most adorable and interesting features that also gets attention, as feathers in these areas make them extra cute and fluffy.
Their combs are single and usually range from small to medium, depending on the sex of the chicken. Female cochin chickens have smaller combs, while males have slightly bigger ones.
Cochin chickens have bantam types, usually smaller than the usual ones, although cochin chickens are known to be bigger chickens. These chickens grow slowly, and that means that they take their time in maturing.
They have so many feathers, so it makes sense that they can reach up to eleven lbs. Given their weight, another attractive feature is their tiny wings and fluffy tails. They are these big and fluffy chickens, but all their other parts are miniature.
Personality
Apart from being one of the most adorable-looking chickens, cochin chickens also have an adorable personalities. They have been poultry owners’ favorite breeds ever of their calm temperament.
Cochin chickens are docile and are up for some playful moments too. This means they are a great choice when taking care of chickens for the first time and when you have children.
Cochin hens are very motherly, which applies even to chicks or animals that are not theirs. So, don’t be too surprised if you see your cochin hens mothering baby ducks or other chicks in the yard.
While they can be playful and friendly, cochin chickens are usually just calm and introverted in that they prefer staying in one place rather than wandering too much.
This aspect can be different regarding the bantam varieties, as they can be pretty feisty. Overall, Cochin chickens are good eaters and are not too picky about what they eat.
Raising Cochin Chickens: Notes and Reminders
Like any other backyard creature you might want to take care of, Cochin chickens have their basics and preferences. Knowing these terms is essential to give them a good life and build a more robust and better relationship with them.
Food
Cochin chickens are the perfect free-range birds; their hearty appetites make them easy to take care of. To give your Cochins a nutritional boost, especially young ones, be sure to include plenty of protein in their diet – essential for proper growth and development!.
As chicks begin their journey towards adulthood, around the 4-5 month mark is crucial for gradual dietary changes.
Start introducing a standard layer of feed into their diets to give them all of the nutrition they need as they transition from juveniles to fully grown chickens. However, make sure that you increase their protein intake again during the molting season.
Shelter
Cochin chickens are a bigger breed, so it’s only natural you give them a bigger place to stay. If you are planning to raise more than one chicken, ensure they are not cramped up in a small space. At least make sure that each of them has four square feet of moving distance in the shelter.
Environment
Yes, these chickens are pretty lazy, but space and the type of environment they are in are essential elements for their growth.
Give them enough space to roam and free range at the same time, and make sure that the space is clean and safe, meaning make sure that their space is safe from potential predators. These chickens also need to have a fun time, so ensure that you provide them with fun things for their stays, like perches, logs, and leaf piles.
Health
Cochin chickens are pretty hardy, and they are healthy most of the time. However, you may still encounter some problems, so it’s good to be ready anytime.
One of the common issues you might encounter will be lice and mites, given that they stay outside and are abundant in feathers. You can visit your trusted clinic or learn to treat them independently (if you are pretty experienced).
Varieties of Cochin Chickens
Barred
Barred cochin chickens are a striking breed and are notable because of their unique feather pattern that is made up of black and white with jagged edges, creating an eye-catching contrast that is sure to turn heads.
Buff
This dazzling bird is a sight to behold, its golden feathers glittering like sunshine and shimmering with light. The slightly lighter undersides add depth and character that only serve to emphasize the magnificent hues.
Partridge
Partridge Cochin chickens have an almost hidden complexity – if you look closely, they’re decorated with alternating black and reddish-brown V patterns. It’s a subtle detail that really makes this variety stand out.
Silver-laced
Silver-laced cochin chickens share a quite similar pattern with barred cochin but in reverse and a slightly different ratio. The white part of their feathers is circle-shaped with black edges in a crescent shape.
Golden-Laced
Golden-laced cochin chickens are gold versions of silver-laced chickens, meaning they have the same pattern but different color combinations; for this one, the golden-colored sides are the inside, while the crescent one surrounding gold is black.
Blue
The majestic blue cochin chicken has a captivating two-toned appearance, with its jet-black head and neck contrasting against the misty gray body plumage that comes alive in vibrant blues.
Brown
These Cochin chickens are pretty simple when it comes to their feather color. Like its name, their feathers are simply brown.
Black
Like the brown variety, this variety has a simple, charming, sleek, shiny, entirely-black plumage.
White
The Cochin chicken is a stunningly beautiful bird like an angel descended from the clouds! Its coat of white feathers contrasts magnificently with its cascading red wattles and earlobes. No wonder it stands out as one of the most eye-catching birds around.
Fun Facts About The Lovable Cochin Chickens
Big, Beautiful, and fluffy
One of the many reasons to love Cochin chickens is their appearance. Their fancy and fluffy feathers are so adorable that you would just want to keep them and ensure they are comfortable.
These big chickens have many colors to boast about, too, from plain colors to more complex color combinations, and they are up to winning your heart.
Fancy eye candies
Yes, their feather patterns and big bodies are fun and even relaxing to look at as they roam around their coop and your backyard. If you delight in looking at your chickens as they wander and peck the ground, Cochin chickens do not disappoint.
Eggs
Though not renowned for their egg production, these gentle creatures are still capable of producing delicate and beautiful brown eggs but just in smaller amounts.
Gentle and relatively quiet
In contrast to their considerable size, these chickens are very gentle and quiet and not as noisy as other breeds. These gentle giants are okay to be around kids, which is also one of their good traits.
They can be lazy, but they can also venture into open spaces to free range, but they don’t tend to stray too far, so you won’t have to worry about them getting lost or trying to wander too far. Overall, these chickens are pretty behaved and won’t mind spending a few minutes playing.
Winter hardy
As you may have already guessed, because of their thick feathers, they can withstand and continue their day-to-day routine during the colder days or winter. When most animals go into hibernation mode, these chickens keep busy by laying eggs.
Summary
There’s a reason why Cochin chickens are one of the most popular breeds, and it’s all in this Cochin chicken guide.
Now that you know more about them, you are more equipped to take care of and maximize your fun times with them in your backyard. These lovable chickens will surely brighten up your chicken coop.
