What color eggs do Cochins lay?

Brown eggs. Sources disagree on size: the Livestock Conservancy says medium to large, while Ohio State says small.

How many eggs does a Cochin lay a year?

Sources differ: the Livestock Conservancy says 150 to 200 a year, and University of New Hampshire Extension says 100 to 160. Either way, Cochins are kept more for personality and broodiness than for eggs.

Are Cochins cold hardy?

Yes. The Livestock Conservancy says all that feathering makes them cold-hardy, though they need shade in hot weather.

Are Cochins good for beginners?

Our extension sources don't rate Cochins for beginners directly. Their gentle temperament makes them easy to handle, but expect frequent broodiness and fewer eggs than a production breed.

Do Cochins go broody?

All the time. The Livestock Conservancy says that as a broody fowl they have no equal, UW–Madison notes their extremely persistent broodiness, and Oregon State calls Cochins and Silkies champions at going broody.

Cochin

Q: Are Cochins friendly with kids?

They have one of the gentlest reputations around. The Livestock Conservancy describes Cochins as friendly, docile and extremely gentle, easily tamed and kept as pets.

A giant ball of feathers right down to the toes: gentle, cold-hardy and the broodiest hen around.

Cochin hen — Photo: Nightflyer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped

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Cochin at a glance

Large and heavy

Status: APA breed, Asiatic class. Buff, Partridge, White and Black admitted 1874.[1][2][3]
Origin: From the Shantung province of China, north of Shanghai; much of its development happened in the US.[3][4]
Egg color: Brown[3][5]
Eggs per year: Sources differ: 150–200 (Livestock Conservancy) or 100–160 (UNH)[3][6]
Egg size: Sources differ: medium to large (Livestock Conservancy) or small (Ohio State)[3][5]
Weight: Standard 11 lb rooster, 8.5 lb hen.[3][4]
Bantam: Yes.[2]
Temperament: Friendly, docile and extremely gentle; easily tamed and kept as pets.[3]
Broodiness: As a broody, the Cochin has no equal; very persistent sitters.[3][4][7]
Cold: All that feathering makes them cold-hardy.[3]
Heat: Needs shade in hot weather.[3]
Varieties: Barred, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Golden Laced, Partridge, Silver Laced and White[2][5]
Conservation: On the Livestock Conservancy's priority list as Watch (its breed page says Recovering).[8][3]
How to spot one: Huge, soft, fluffy plumage with feathers down the legs to the toes, small single comb, red earlobes and yellow skin.[3][4][9]

Facts no source backs up are left out. Updated October 26, 2026 (how we check).

A Cochin looks like a feather duster that learned to walk. Soft feathers cover the whole bird right down to the toes, and underneath is one of the gentlest personalities in the chicken world.

From China, refined in America

The Livestock Conservancy traces the Cochin to the Shantung province of China, north of Shanghai, and UW–Madison notes it "underwent considerable development in the U.S." The Buff, Partridge, White and Black varieties were admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard in 1874, in the Asiatic class. Today the APA recognizes Barred, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Golden Laced, Partridge, Silver Laced and White.

A big, fluffy bird

Cochins are large: the standard weight is 11 lb for a rooster and 8.5 lb for a hen (Livestock Conservancy, UW–Madison). Ohio State calls them "one of the largest breeds." Bantam Cochins exist too.

Eggs

Cochins lay brown eggs, but sources disagree on how many and how big. The Livestock Conservancy says 150 to 200 medium to large eggs a year; University of New Hampshire Extension says 100 to 160, and Ohio State rates the eggs small. Cochins are kept more for their looks and personalities than for production.

Want to know when pullets will start? Our Laying Calculator uses the heavy-breed setting, since heavier breeds tend to mature later. Then log what they lay in the Egg Log.

The broodiest hen around

"As a broody fowl, they have no equal," says the Livestock Conservancy. UW–Madison notes their "extremely persistent broodiness," and Oregon State calls Cochins and Silkies "champions at going broody." If you want a hen to hatch chicks, a Cochin is a natural. If you want steady eggs, know that a broody hen stops laying while she sits.

Setting eggs under a broody Cochin? Our Hatch Countdown gives the due date, candling days and lockdown day.

Temperament

The Livestock Conservancy describes Cochins as "friendly, docile" birds with "extremely gentle dispositions" that are "easily tamed," and lists pets among their uses. That gentle nature suits families.

Climate

The Livestock Conservancy says all that feathering makes Cochins cold-hardy, and that they need shade in hot weather.

Conservation

The Livestock Conservancy's priority list shows the Cochin as Watch, while its own Cochin page says Recovering. Either way, keeping well-bred Cochins helps the breed.

How to recognize a Cochin

The Livestock Conservancy describes feathering that "extends down the legs to the feet and toes," small rounded single combs on hens (medium on roosters) and red earlobes. UW–Madison and Illinois Extension list yellow skin. A Buff Orpington can look similar, but its legs are clean.

Is a Cochin right for you?

Choose Cochins if you want a gentle, fluffy pet that will raise chicks for you, and you don't mind fewer eggs. For a smaller fluffy broody, see the Silkie; for another feather-footed gentle giant, meet the Brahma.

Our free Egg Color Chart printable shows the Cochin's brown eggs alongside every breed here.