If you’ve ever dreamed of adding a chicken to your backyard that looks like it walked straight out of a storybook, let me introduce you to Cochin chickens.
These birds are fluffy, friendly, and full of personality, making them one of the most lovable breeds you can raise, especially if you have kids or just want chickens that feel more like pets than livestock.
We recently got some Cochins, and they are our favorite. Sadly, we got them straight run (not sexed), and only one was a female. But we were able to get them raised and then find the roosters’ homes, since we live in a neighborhood. I will say that the roosters were the nicest roosters we have ever had.
What Are Cochin Chickens?
Cochin chickens are a large, heavily feathered breed known for their soft, cloud-like appearance.
Their most recognizable feature?
Those insanely fluffy feathers—including on their legs and feet.
They come in a variety of colors, like:
- Black
- White
- Buff (a warm golden color)
- Blue
- Partridge
There are also bantam (mini) Cochins if you want the same look in a smaller size.
Cochin Temperament
If you’re looking for a calm, gentle chicken… this is your girl.
Cochins are known for being:
- Extremely docile
- Kid-friendly
- Easy to handle
- Great for beginners
They’re not flighty or aggressive, which makes them perfect if you’re raising backyard chickens in a family setting. Our Cochin comes right up to us looking for snuggles, love, and lots of pets.
Honestly, they’re the kind of chicken that will let your kids carry them around like a baby doll. When I collect eggs, our Cochin will come up right under me and just sit under me as I squat to collect the eggs.
Egg Production
Cochins are not your top egg producers.
You can expect:
- About 2–3 eggs per week
- Small to medium brown eggs
If your goal is eggs alone, you may want to mix them with more productive breeds. But if you’re looking for personality and beauty? Cochins are worth it.
Broodiness: Built-In Mama Chickens
Cochins are famous for going broody. When a chicken goes broody, that means they will pick out all the feathers on their stomach, sit on their and others eggs, and hopefully hatch fertilized eggs. We don’t have roosters, and our silkie has been the only other chicken to go broody. Usually, I just let the chicken be. I take the eggs under her and just let her go through her broodiness cycle.
If you’re interested in hatching your own chicks naturally, Cochins are one of the best breeds you can have in your flock.
Are Cochins Right for Your Backyard?
Cochins are a great fit if you:
- Want friendly, pet-like chickens
- Have kids
- Care more about personality than egg production
They might not be the most efficient layer, but they absolutely win in charm. I think it’s important when you have kids, not to just get chickens for egg production. Some of those high-production layers aren’t the friendliest, so having some chickens that aren’t solely there for laying purposes allows kids to feel safe when going into the coop and run.
Cochins bring a best friend to your chicken coop, and I think every chicken coop can use one or a couple of those.
Get more LoDown:
Silkie Chickens – A Great Addition to Any Flock