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Cochin Chicken Breed Info + Where to Buy

Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

If you’re looking for a broody hen to raise chicks for you, Cochin is your best choice. These maternal powerhouses are one of the broodiest breeds of chicken.

A beautiful colorful Cochin Chicken on a backyard road.

Hens (and sometimes even roosters!) will sit on more than one clutch of eggs per year if allowed. They are an excellent choice for hatching duck or turkey eggs, but due to their large size, they may break smaller, thin-shelled chicken eggs.

When not sitting on eggs, they will lay about 150-200 medium to large brown eggs each year. They are slow to develop, though, so don’t expect any eggs until they’re at least eight months old.

Although they are technically a dual-purpose breed that can be used for eggs and meat, Cochins do not excel as meat birds. Their meat tends to be largely dark meat, so they are mainly used for egg production and show.

Jump to:
  • How to Buy Online Cochin Chickens
  • Cochin Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of the Cochin Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About the Cochin Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Cochin Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Cochin Chickens

How to Buy Online Cochin Chickens

Cackle hatchery
The Best Hatchery to order from: Read reviews here.

Barred Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Splash Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Golden Laced Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.80 - Read reviews

White Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.80 - Read reviews

Partridge Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Blue Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Black Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

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Barred Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Buff Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Partridge Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Splash Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Black Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Silver Pencil Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews (3 customer reviews)

White Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Birchen Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Silver Laced Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Golden Laced Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Buff Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Blue Cochin Standard Chicks As low as: $4.95 - Read reviews

Red Cochin Bantams As low as: $4.60 - Read reviews

Golden Laced Cochin Bantam Hatching Eggs As low as: $3.84 - Read reviews

Cochin Chicken Breed Quick Info

Cochin Chicken Description

Cochin Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Varies
Leg Type:Feathered
Leg Color:Yellow
Skin Color:Yellow
Cochin Ease of Raising/Keeping:Easy
Cochin Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Cochin breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare, “recovering” status

Cochin Use

MeatYes
EggsYes
Dual PurposeYes
Cochin Temperament:Friendly, docile, calm
Cochin Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Cochin Egg Production

Egg ColorBrown
Egg SizeLarge
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year150-200
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksHigh

Cochin Meat Production

Dressed Weight Male9 lbs.
Dressed Weight Female7 lbs.

Cochin Climate Tolerance

HeatModerate
ColdExcellent

Cochin Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size8 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying8 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size12 Weeks

Cochin Size at Maturity

Male11 lbs.
Female8.5 lbs.

Origins of the Cochin Chicken

Two beautiful brown Cochin Chickens near a wooden fence.

The Cochin chicken breed was developed north of Shanghai, China, in the Province of Shantung. There, they were called “Ju-chin,” meaning “nine picules” (one picule is equal to 1 ¼ pounds).

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True to their name, these early Cochins were large and tall with moderate to scant feathering. They could be found in a multitude of different colors.

Importation records show them arriving in the United States as early as 1846, but they likely were brought to the country at least a half-century before.

Queen Victoria of England received Cochin chickens as a present and adored them. This started what was known as the “hen fever” throughout England and America in the mid-nineteenth century.

Some Things to Know About the Cochin Chicken

A beautiful black Cochin Chicken in a backyard pasture.

The Cochin is a large chicken breed. Their fluffy plumage adds to their size, making them appear bigger than they actually are.

They have a heart-shaped body when viewed from the side, with full, soft feathering that grows in slowly as they mature. Their beautiful plumage covers their legs and feet, with only their inner two toes being left bare.

Fun fact: They actually hatch with feathering on their feet!

The American Poultry Association recognizes multiple colors of Cochins: buff, brown, blue, barred, white, silver laced, golden laced, partridge, and black.

These birds feature a small to medium-sized, rounded single comb. Hens have similarly small, rounded wattles, while roosters boast long wattles.

How Easy is it to Keep Cochin Chickens?

A beautiful brown Cochin Chicken in a backyard on a sunny day.

The Cochin chicken breed is a wonderful choice for beginner chicken owners. They are considered one of the gentlest breeds in the world. Even roosters are rarely aggressive.

They make great pet chickens, as they are friendly, easily tamed, and enjoy being around people.

They are also excellent free-range chickens for those with a small backyard. They don’t wander far, forage well, and do not scratch as much as other breeds. A simple two-foot fence will suffice to keep them contained.

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They also do well in confinement. Cochins are said to make themselves comfortable wherever they are, even in adverse conditions.

Despite their slow feathering, the Cochin chicken is still a very hardy bird. They are similar to the Brahma when it comes to their ability to thrive in climates where other breeds would fail.

Their feathered legs make them able to withstand the cold, but in hot climates, they do best with plenty of access to shade to keep them cool.

Because of their size, Cochins do not fly and require low roosts. It is also important to make sure that their pens don’t get muddy in the winter, as their feathered feet can easily become muddy and frostbitten.

Special Care and Considerations for Cochin Chickens

As with all chickens with a single comb, there is a risk of frostbite in the winter. When temperatures drop, a swipe of vaseline on their comb can help to protect it from frostbite.

Due to their large size, Cochins are more likely than other breeds to become overweight. This can stop their egg production and even cause death from liver disease. Be sure to monitor your Cochins’ feed intake and decrease their daily ration if they start to become overweight.

Due to their gentle, friendly nature, the best flock mates for Cochins are other breeds that are non-aggressive.

Cochin Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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