Description
Barred Cochin Standard Chicken
Breed History and Origin
When it comes to rare breed chickens, the professionals at Cackle Hatchery® have a lot to offer. We have more than 200 breeds to choose from, including the Barred Cochin Standard. Originating from Asia, Cochins were first introduced to America in the 1800s and later developed into multiple color varieties, with the Barred variety being one of the more difficult to source today. This is a very hard color to find of the standard Cochin with very few breeders in the USA, and Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its bloodline or strain of standard size Cochin chickens since 1975, with additional Roland Doerr bloodline added in 2009 to improve size and vigor.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
The Barred Cochin Standard is a very large chicken with abundant fluffy feathering and heavily feathered legs and feet. The barred pattern gives this variety a striking black and white appearance across its full, rounded body. Mature hens typically weigh around 8½ pounds, while roosters average about 11 pounds, with pullets around 7 pounds and cockerels about 9 pounds, making this one of the heavier ornamental breeds.
Egg Production and Broodiness
This breed lays brown eggs that are typically medium to large in size, producing approximately 110 to 160 eggs per year depending on care and environment. While not a high-production layer, the Barred Cochin Standard is well known for broodiness and is an excellent setter hen that does well raising chicks.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
The Barred Cochin Standard is known for its docile temperament and gentle nature, making it a great choice for backyard flocks and families with children. Their calm disposition and large size make them easy to manage, though they do best with low roost heights of 0 to 2 feet and clean, dry conditions to maintain feather quality. Fertility percentages generally range between 40 to 55 percent, with a recommended mating ratio of 6 females to 1 male.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
This is an ornamental and meat-type exhibition bird rather than a true production breed. The Barred Cochin Standard is best suited for show, backyard enjoyment, and broody hen use rather than maximum egg output. Customers looking for a smaller version may also like the Barred Cochin Bantam Chicken https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/barred-cochin-bantams/ , and for value options see Cochin Standard Surplus Special https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/standard-cochin-surplus-special/ .
Related Resources
Raising Pet Chickens for Your Backyard https://www.cacklehatchery.com/raising-pet-chickens-for-your-backyard/
Barred Cochin Standard Chicken FAQs
Are Barred Cochin Standard chickens good egg layers? They are moderate layers producing about 110 to 160 brown eggs per year, but are better known for broodiness and ornamental value.
Are Barred Cochin chickens good for families? Yes. Their docile and gentle temperament makes them ideal for backyard flocks and children.
What makes the Barred Cochin Standard rare? The barred color pattern is less commonly bred in standard Cochins, making it harder to find compared to other varieties.
Are Barred Cochin chickens broody? Yes. They are excellent setter hens and commonly used for hatching chicks.
What is the difference between standard and bantam Cochins? Standard Cochins are much larger, while bantams are a miniature version of the same breed.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Crazy Chicken Girl –
I got 3 females back in August and all arrived happy and healthy (along with 4 Silver Spangled Hamburgs, 3 Black Sumatras, 3 Rhode Island Whites, 8 Easter Eggers, and 3 Brown Leghorns). Almost 3 months in and all are alive and thriving. One of the females is a bit smaller than the other two but she’s ok. Can’t wait for them to hatch chicks for me, to lay eggs, and to show them! Thanks, Cackle!
mvoyles5 –
I purchased 20 Barred Cochin Standard chicks from Cackle Hatchery about 6 months ago, and I couldn’t be happier! Every single bird has grown into a large, beautiful, healthy fowl with the sweetest temperaments. These are by far the nicest and most well-mannered chickens.
The quality from Cackle Hatchery truly shows — strong, vibrant chicks from day one, and now absolutely stunning adults. I’m so impressed with the consistency, health, and calm nature of this flock. Thank you, Cackle Hatchery, for providing such top-quality birds and excellent service. I’ll definitely be a returning customer!
stormie –
Absolutely love my Barred Standard Cochins! I ordered 15 chicks in May, when they came I received 2 extras. They are now 9 weeks old and out of the 17 chicks I received, only ONE chick didn’t make it and that was only because it failed to thrive like the rest. They’re all healthy and beautiful! I also ordered them straight run, and really got lucky because so far it’s looking like I only have 1 rooster! These are also the friendliest breed of chickens I have ever owned! Super pleased! 😊
Whittni (@WhitsFlock) –
Genuinely the most lovely chickens! Largefowl Barred Cochins from Cackles are outstanding in their docile nature, massive size, are great layers, and literally PERFECT for families with small children who want to hold them. All 3 girls layed through a literal polar vortex without any issues and didn’t succumb to any diseases, nor have issues in my dynamic cold and hot humid summer climate (just had a shady run and water like usual). I added some photos of them at various ages for reference. They are a permanent variety in my flock now, I’m extremely pleased and hope to see them go broody in the years to come. I ordered 3 straight run chicks in May 2024 and ended up with three gorgeous hens. I plan to purchase a rooster and more of this glorious Cochins! They’re here for the pets, the treats, the petting, I’m now here for any large fowl Cochin from here! Also pictured, my Cackles Blue Sumatra Pepe! Absolutely wonderful flock, rearing and excellent experience. Thank you, Cackle Hatchery!
jaimetapia2020 –
Beautiful a must have Ordered 3 Barred, received 4. very Gentle, intelligent, hardy, very quiet great pet for families, With its fluffy feathers and friendly demeanor, Second best breed of chicken has inspired our family to own Cochin, a beautiful Asian bird similar Brahmas.
jaimetapia2020 –
Beautiful a must have a very Gentle, intelligent, hardy, very quiet great pet for families, With its fluffy feathers and friendly demeanor, Second best breed of chicken has inspired our family to own Cochin, a beautiful Asian bird similar Brahmas.
tonjon111 –
I absolutely am in love with Cochins. I’ve had both sizes bantam and now the large. I ordered Barred Cochins, Silver lace and Gold lace Cochins. This April 15th Everyone arrived happy and healthy in 2 days. Cochins are absolutely beautiful wonderful, sweet, friendly and absolutely so fun to watch. My girls are still too Young, but I know this breed makes exceptional mothers. I received a free rooster which I’m so thankful for he’s wonderful and sweet and his name is Lovey. These guys certainly do like to eat, but I let mine free range most of the day to help out.
klbszarek –
Ordered 3 Barred Cochin females (+ extras) and only one turned out to be female. We were so disappointed not to receive more hens, we ordered 10 (!) more (+ extras), and the 2nd time around we had even worse luck – only one hen again! So in total, 13+ chicks and only 2 were actually female. The two we have are adorable, round fluffy treasures that we LOVE, but I’d be really hesitant to order again, unfortunately.
canieldonrad –
Ordered 3 chicks, received 4. Of the three cochin varieties we ordered (Barred, Blue and Partridge) the Barred by far has the most personality. Very comfortable around us and our dogs at only one month old. Curious and active. Coming from a background in poultry breeding I’m VERY impressed with the body structure/head structure of these chicks. These are strong, healthy young birds.
wolfishfarm –
These fluffy barred cochins arrived today and im absolutely thrilled. BIG chicks with an absolutely voracious appetite. One actually got my finger in its mouth.
Let yall know how they grow up
Garcia –
Great Birds
Great, beautiful, and wonderful mothers. My hen was only about 7 months old and she became broody and hatched out 7 chicks. They are great hens and let’s not forget the roosters! He is very protective of his hens but at the same time, he is very nice and gentle and likes to be held by humans. Great bred for first time chicken owners or if you live in cold areas like colorado
PonyGirl –
Love my cacklehatchery chickens
Our chickens arrived in excellent condition and have all been incredibly healthy. The are now 6 months old and absolutely beautiful. I get compliments on how pretty my cochins are all the time. I highly recommend buying all your chickens from Cacklehatchery.com!!!
Ellen –
Beautiful Birds
Ordered Barred Cochins. I love these birds. Big, sturdy birds that are beautiful, fully feathered down to their feet, and so sweet. Hands down my favorite breed!
Debbie North Carolina Jan 2017 –
Cust Response
Just wanted to say that the Standard Golden Laced Cochins and the Standard Barred Cochins I ordered and received back in April are looking just beautiful! Very beautiful chickens, with great feathering! I am pleased with both breeds, and am especially excited about the standard sized Barred Cochins because it was only when I saw them on your list of cochins did I realize that the Barred even existed in the standard size! Thank you again, I would and do recommended your hatchery to my friends and acquaintances.
Larry December 2015 –
Cackle Hatchery
Liked your youtube videos!