Care & how-to
Cochin Chickens: Fluffy, Gentle and Broody
Cochins are big, gentle chickens wrapped in soft, fluffy feathers that run right down to their toes. They are docile, easily tamed, rarely aggressive and among the best broody hens of any breed, but they lay a modest 150 to 200 brown eggs a year and start late. Cochins are very cold-hardy, struggle in heat, and need dry ground for their feathered feet. Browse our backyard chicken supplies to get set up.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read2 sources
History of the Cochin
The Livestock Conservancy traces the Cochin to Shantung Province, north of Shanghai, where large, tall birds called "Ju-chin" were kept. Imported birds reached America around 1846, and gifts of Cochins to Queen Victoria helped spark the "hen fever" craze that swept England and America in the mid-1800s. The extension service groups Cochins with the large, feather-footed Asiatic class.
The American Poultry Association admitted the breed in 1874. Although it was promoted as an all-purpose fowl, the Cochin never succeeded commercially; its meat was coarse and dark, and it excelled mainly as a capon. Today it is kept almost entirely as a pet, an exhibition bird and a natural incubator, and the Conservancy lists its status as recovering.
Appearance, size and varieties
Cochins look enormous because of their full, soft, fluffy feathering, which covers the legs and feet, leaving only the inner two toes bare. The Livestock Conservancy lists weights of about 11 pounds for roosters and 8.5 pounds for hens. Bantam Cochins, which are much smaller, are one of the most popular bantam breeds of all.
Varieties include Buff, Partridge, White, Black, Silver Laced, Golden Laced, Blue, Brown and Barred, and many more colors are kept by hobbyists. Cochins feather slowly as chicks, so young birds can look scruffy and need a warm brooder for longer than fast-feathering breeds.
Temperament
Cochins are gentle, docile and easily tamed, and the Conservancy notes that even roosters rarely become aggressive. They tolerate handling well and are a favorite with children and keepers who want calm, cuddly birds. They are poor fliers and do not wander or scratch much, so a low fence keeps them in and they are easy on a garden.
Their calm nature can put them at the bottom of a mixed flock's pecking order, especially alongside active breeds like Leghorns or Rhode Island Reds. Pair them with other gentle breeds such as Orpingtons, Brahmas or Silkies, and give them space to get away from bullies.
Eggs and broodiness
The Conservancy says Cochins lay about 150 to 200 medium to large brown eggs a year, but they mature slowly and may not start laying until around eight months old. They are also prone to obesity, which can reduce laying and cause liver problems, so keep treats and scratch grains limited.
Where Cochins shine is mothering. They are excellent broodies that may hatch more than one clutch a year, and the Conservancy calls them among the best breeds for hatching and raising ducklings and turkey poults as well as chicks. If you do not want chicks, collect eggs daily and gently break a broody spell, since a sitting hen stops laying.
Is a Cochin right for you?
Choose Cochins if you want the calmest, most cuddly chickens you can find, a reliable broody hen to hatch chicks, ducklings or poults, or a showy bird for a small, low-fenced yard. They are ideal for families, beginners and keepers in cold climates.
Look elsewhere if you need lots of eggs, early-laying pullets, or birds for a hot, humid climate or a muddy run. Many keepers add one or two Cochins to a flock of productive layers purely as mothers and pets, and bantam Cochins give the same personality in a smaller package.
Housing, feet and climate
Cochins are cold-hardy and well suited to northern winters, but their thick feathering means they suffer in heat and need shade, airflow and plenty of water in summer. Their feathered feet collect mud, and the Conservancy warns that muddy pens in cold weather can lead to frostbite on the toes, so keep runs well drained and bedding dry. Our chicken coops, such as this wooden chicken coop, and the chicken coop buying guide are a good place to start.
Provide low roosts and a ramp, since heavy Cochins cannot fly up well, plus large nesting boxes. Check the feathered legs often for scaly leg mites and caked mud. Call a vet who treats poultry if a hen seems unusually lethargic, has a swollen abdomen, stops eating or limps.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace advice from a veterinarian who treats poultry.
Common questions
Are Cochin chickens friendly?
Yes. Cochins are gentle, docile and easily tamed, and even the roosters rarely become aggressive. They are among the best breeds for children and for keepers who want calm, handleable birds.
How many eggs do Cochins lay?
Cochins lay about 150 to 200 medium to large brown eggs a year. They mature slowly and may not start laying until around eight months old, and they often stop to go broody.
Are Cochins good mothers?
Excellent ones. Cochins go broody readily, may hatch more than one clutch a year, and are often used to hatch duck and turkey eggs as well as chicken eggs.
Do Cochins do well in the heat?
Not very. Their thick, fluffy feathering makes them prone to overheating, so in hot climates they need deep shade, good ventilation and plenty of cool water.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
