Partridge Cochin Chickens

Day Old Partridge Cochin Baby Chicks

Hatching February to July.

Partridge Cochins are eye-catching birds. They are also one of the sweetest breeds of chicken and make fantastic pets.

Production: All Cochins are massive in size, and hens are often excellent layers for short periods. Most people who keep Cochins do so because they make great pets.

Temperament: Arguably, Cochins are the most gentle chickens. They are not at all aggressive and are great with children. They rarely try to escape, and hens are known to be quite broody - even roosters have been known to brood!

History: Partridge Cochins were among the first varieties of Cochins to be included in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection, in 1874, along with the Buff, White, and Black varieties.

The word "partridge" refers to the color pattern, which is complex and beautiful. These animals are striking for their size, the fluffiness and quantity of their feathers, the fact that not only their legs but even their toes are feathered, and their docility. Only a two-foot-tall fence is necessary to contain them because they do not fly and have no desire to escape.

Cochins first came to the United States in the 19th century and were sometimes called Shanghai Fowl. They were an immediate sensation, and along with Brahmas, fueled what is now called "hen fever." During the 1850s, in both the US and England, keeping backyard poultry became widely popular.

The profusion of feathers makes Cochins well-suited to colder areas, although if their pens are muddy their feathered toes are susceptible to frostbite.

Colors: Males are a combination of shiny black and rich red. The head and neck and most of the back are red, while the chest and tail are black. The Partridge Cochin rooster is an imposing and beautiful bird.

Females have the lovely penciling of the partridge feather pattern. They have a deep reddish-bay base color, and the penciling is distinct and black.

Livestock Conservancy Status: Watch

Body Type: Cochins are large, rounded, fluffballs.

Standard Weights: Rooster 11 lbs, Hen 8.5 lbs, Cockerel 9 lbs, Pullet 7 lbs

APA Class: Asiatic