Barred Cochin, Frizzle & Smooth

The ancestry of the Cochin can be traced back to the very large feather-legged birds brought from China to Europe and North America in the 1840s and 1850s. These were at first known as "Shanghai" birds, and later as "Cochin-Chinas".  The Cochin was included in the first edition of the Standard of Excellence of the American Poultry Association in 1874. The Barred Cochin, however, was the last variety of Large Fowl Cochin to be accepted into the APA SOP. They were standardized in 1982. Large Fowl Cochins are shown in the Asiatic Class.

The Cochin is a large, heavily-feathered bird. They are, by and large, an ornamental breed. They are a fairly laidback, docile breed. They, like the bantam, tend to brood more readily than other breeds. Because of their size they require a lower roosting area. However, they aren't much of a flight risk. So they are easily contained in areas with shorter fencing. The Cochin is a yellow-skinned breed. They lay a large, cream to brown colored egg. They average 150-180 eggs per year.  Weights are as follows: Cock: 11 lbs, Hen: 8 ½ lbs, Cockerel: 9 lbs, Pullet: 7 lbs.  

Per the APA:  "Both male and female are massive in appearance, with an extra-ordinary profusion of long, soft plumage and a great abundance of down fiber in the under-fluff, producing a rather bulky appearance, and conveying the idea of even greater weight than actually exists.  Hard or closely fitting plumage is a very serious defect also specimens lacking greatly in size and cushion."

In Cochins, vulture hocks, shanks not feathered down the outer sides, outer toes not feathered to last joint, bare middle toes are all traits that are major disqualifications. Cochins are to have a cushion, not a defined tail. 

The Barred is one of the harder varieties to find in Large Fowl Cochin. There are very few serious breeders of this variety in the United States. Because they are harder to find, good quality and type are a struggle. We have been breeding  and exhibiting LF Barred Cochins since 2018.