Partridge Cochin

I have 2 standard Partridge Cochins in my flock, Clarabel and Clementine. These Cochins are beautiful chickens and can be quite comical. Off all the chickens in my flock, visitors love to sit and watch the "funny chicks with feathered feet."As small chicks, the Cochins tended to pair up and were shy around the other chicks. They have never been high in the pecking order but rarely get picked on by my other chickens. At 40 weeks old, they still have a timid nature and will spend most of their time together. I have had trouble with both of the Cochin girls picking feathers from others lower in the pecking order. These are usually my Brahma girls. This is not a frequent occurrence, and it seems to happen  out of boredom or mischief.  My chickens are not free ranged and spend their days in a 20 ft x 20 ft. run. I don't know how well the Cochins would do being free ranged. Because of their large size and build,  they don't fly well, if at all. They are also slower and awkward moving than the other chickens.

It is suggested that larger breed chickens, such as the Cochins, have lower roosts to prevent against injuries.   My Cochins were having trouble getting down from a roost that was 20 inches from the floor. We installed a ramp from the roost and also from the nesting boxes. The Cochin girls prefer to use a ramp whenever possible. An adult Cochin hen can average 8.5 pounds.

Clarabel laid her first egg at 26 weeks and Clementine at 29 weeks.  They lay light beige shade eggs with shiny shells. Sometimes there will be small speckles on the shells and sometimes not. At 40 weeks, their eggs weigh 2.0 ounces which are considered large eggs. Both lay eggs that are similar in size, shape and color. I get approximately 5-6 eggs each from the Cochins and Clementine had one week that she laid 7 days straight.

The only problem I've had with the Cochins besides a bit of feather picking is messy feathers under the vent area. Dried poop in that area is always a problem. So far I have not attempted to give a chicken a bath, but I know I will eventually have to with these girls. I do occasionally take a warm damp rag and wash the area. I do this in the evening when they've gone into the hen house for the night. They are easier to catch and handle at that time. I have sand in my run and have found that it perfect for the feathered footed chickens. Their feet rarely get dirty.  Walking and scratching in the sand helps to clean their feet when they step in poo.

The Cochin girls love the Winter. I don't know how well they will do in the summer heat. Last summer, they were young and not so feathered. When the temperatures got into the 80 to 90 degree range, my Cochins were affected more than the other chickens in my flock. I know I will have to watch them closely in the heat.

Photos taken at 39 weeks old.

Clarabel

Clementine

Eggs from Clarabel and Clementine