Have you dreamt of owning beautiful full-feathered chickens but thought that meant compromising on temperament or egg-laying abilities? Then we have the solution - Cochin chickens! These fancy feathered hens are both beautiful and hard-working - delivering on average, 3 delicious eggs each week. A flock of 4 hens will give you a dozen eggs per week.
Egg-citing right! Read on to be coached in every aspect of the Cochin.
What you can expect to know by the end of this article:
- Survey results from real-life Cochin owners
- Key breed characteristics
- Egg-laying abilities
- Temperament
- Free Download: hen health check
The numbers don’t lie: survey results from real-life Cochin owners
From the beginner keeper to long-term chicken enthusiasts, the Cochin ticks all the boxes. Our most recent survey shows that 88% of owners would gladly own Cochins again, largely due to their calm and docile nature.
Their great temperament is well matched by their excellent egg-laying abilities with 70% of owners surveyed receiving at least 3 eggs per week and a further 30% noting they receive 2 or eggs a week per hen! So they may yield a little less per hen than your average egg-layer, but what they lack here they make up for in their wonderful temperament and gorgeous feathery appearance.
Would you choose to own a Cochin chicken breed again?
Reviewing the facts, it’s easy to see why the Cochin is a leading choice of chicken and why they have received three out of five stars in the Chicken People's Choice Awards. If you are Cochin owner, we’d love to hear from you soplease have your VOTE NOW!
Nothing is more telling than positive feedback from real life Cochin owners such as thisreview from Crazy4chicks:
Pro: Docile, make great pets. My FAVORITE breed!
Con: can be bullied by other breeds in the flock.
Impressed? There are even more reasons to love the Cochin, let’s go into the nitty-gritty details.
At a glance, the Cochin is a great all-rounder, but it's when you take a closer look that you really see her value.
Size - Cochin hens weigh in at a very respectable 8lbs and roosters around the 10lbs mark. This makes them resilient, sturdy, and oh so huggable! Should you opt for the bantam size the bantam roosters weigh in at 30oz and hens at a tiny 26oz. See our size comparison chart below for a simplified, visual representation of size.
Appearance -Another tick for the cuddly category, Cochin’s have full, soft feathers that extend right down onto their feet.
Average life span - 8-10 years, as with all chickens the better the quality of their coop and protection from predators the better their lifespan will be.
Age of maturity - Expect a little longer between Cochins and other breeds when it comes to egg production. Typically they will begin to lay consistently between 8-9 months of age.
Available colors - Within the US you can choose from Buff (brown), black, white, partridge, and the especially gorgeous silver or golden laced variety. 🙌🏼
Climate Suitability - As a larger, full-feathered breed Cochins will thrive in cooler climates. They can be kept in warmer temperatures so long as ample shade and water are provided.
Egg type - Medium, light brown (and oh-so-tasty!).
Egg Laying Abilities
Ultimately, most chicken keepers are hopeful of a consistent supply of lovely fresh eggs🥚.
Cochin hens are moderate egg layers. They’re not the top performers here, but they are dependable. We asked some of our Cochin-keeper pals what they thought and 73% agreed that 3 eggs per week was the magic number.
If you are wanting 5-6 eggs a week, then that’s a great egg-scuse to bring home twice as many cuddly Cochins!
On average, how many eggs do your Cochins lay per week?
Is The Cochin Right For Your Flock?
This sweet-tempered and easy-care breed has so much to recommend it, but perhaps their most winning feature is their temperament.
Temperament
Cochins are generally considered gentle giants of the chicken family. They’re docile, happy to be handled, and do well even with enthusiastic little people around hoping for a pat! This easy-going nature makes them perfect for backyards, schools, aged care and farm life. Another added bonus, Cochins are incredibly quiet - just another reason they’re well suited to your suburban backyard.
While even Cochin roosters are known for being mellow, be aware that their smaller relatives, bantam Cochin’s, can be a little overconfident. Even taking this into consideration, both bantams and full-size Cochins are highly recommended for mixed-flocks. As an added bonus they areeasy to source and inexpensive.
Is The Cochin Your Peck Of The Bunch?
So if you have fallen for the Cochin and they’ve made it onto your shortlist, great choice! If you're ready to experience the joy that is raising Cochins but you’re still not entirely sure where to start, cluckily, our friends over at Chickenpedia have created an amazing Chicken Breeds Course.👌🏼
This extensive online course shares useful advice on choosing the right chickens for you as well as the size & frequency of eggs laid. You’ll even learn about breed personalities, and be able to use their family-friendly compatibility scale through this well-structured program. It really is a great way to find your perfect backyard buddies which is why I highly recommend them to all of my readers! The courses are beginner-friendly and filled with vital information to help you raise a happy, healthy flock. As a member, you will get access to ALL their fantastic courses. So, no need to wing it, become a confident chicken keeper. Click here to check outChickenpedia today!
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