Cochin

I have Cochins and Cochin mixes in my backyard flock. They lay well every day without fail and started laying early. They are talkative and love to follow people around and just talk at them. Not an aggressive bone in their body. Even my rooster who is about 11 pounds is a push over and will let the little hens and smaller rooster push him around. They do go broody and love to sit on the eggs. My only solution for that since it's below zero is to pick up the eggs twice a day and that keeps her laying rather than sitting on the eggs.

My only gripe with these birds is that they are so smart they can find a way to get out of any enclosure I put them in. Even with wire on top and an enclosed coop they will find a way to get out and free range if that's what they want to do even if I'm not ready to let them yet. I have found them in the horse pasture under the car and all over the yard. It's totally fine but if they get out before laying their eggs then they will lay them all over the place. They are easy to catch though when I go out they run right up to me so no problem there, but be ready for an Easter egg hunt lol.

I have both LF and bantam cochins and I love them. Their fluffy feathered feet are adorable. They have done super in the harsh Montana winter and have been good layers even in the winter without added lights. My kids handle them all the time, they are friendly and gregarious. I will continue to have this breed among my stock. They also have done well free ranging.

I had my blue Cochins for well over a year.

The birds shied away from human contact, were either scared of all my other birds or aggressive, and never laid many eggs.

Some people value broodiness, but I couldn't hardly stand it and it was a CONSTANT struggle to get her off the nest. Most all of my eggs were ruined when they were broody and when I did give her fertile eggs, she got off a few days from the hatch and moved to a new box.

Cochins may be for some people, but definitely not for me. I don't plan on owning them again.

Some of the calmest and sweetest birds I've ever had, both bantam and LF. Consistent layers that can go broody and be good mothers. Excellent foragers that can also handle confinement well. Cold hardy with all the extra feathers and small/medium sized single combs.

The foot feathers can get dirty on muddy days and dry caked up. Keep on good footing or wash as needed. As the mud dries it can cause discomfort to the bird.

I have raised and shown Cochins since 2005 and love the breed.
The description for the breed implies that splash is a recognized variety in Cochins. Splash is not a recognized variety by either the APA and ABA. Some of the "newer" colors that were not mentioned have been recognized for over 50 years. I think the rest of the description of the breed is pretty accurate.

The recognized varieties for Cochin Bantams are: Barred, Birchen, Black, Black tailed Red,Blue, Brown Red, Buff, Buff Columbian, Columbian, Gold Laced,Lemon Blue, Mottled, Partridge, Red, Silver Laced, Silver Penciled, Whites and Frizzle.

For Large Fowl The recognized varieties are: Barred, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Gold Laced, Partridge, Silver Laced , White.

I did this from memory so hope I did not forget any. If the variety isn't on this list the birds are what I call projects or works in progress that may or may not become recognized by either the APA or ABA in the future.