heavy breed · China
Cochin
Round, heavily-feathered, and unmistakable. Cochins are calm to a fault and reliable broodies — many keepers use them to hatch eggs from other breeds.
| Size class | heavy |
|---|---|
| Weight (hen) | 8.5 lb (3.86 kg) |
| Weight (rooster) | 11 lb (4.99 kg) |
| Eggs per year | 160 |
| Egg color | brown |
| Egg size | medium |
| Climate tolerance | cold |
| Temperament | docile |
| Goes broody | often |
| Noise level | quiet |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes |
| Origin | China |
Is the Cochin right for your flock?
The Cochin is a heavy breed that's well-suited to first-time keepers. Hens lay around 160 brown eggs per year and tolerate cold climates well.
Temperament: docile. Broodiness: often. Noise level: quiet. A reasonable choice for suburban yards.
What this breed needs
- Coop space: about 5 sq ft per bird inside the coop. Run the numbers for your specific flock size in the coop size calculator.
- Climate fit: particularly comfortable in cold climates with good winter laying.
- Eggs: a moderate layer — picked more for personality, looks, or broodiness than raw output.