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CochinsThe four varieties of Cochins are very popular with breeders. They are second to the Brahmas in the meat breeds, weighing but a pound lighter than the Light Brahmas. Old and experienced breeders of Cochins are pronounced in praise of their qualities as profitable fowls. They are hardy, good winter layers or rich, brown, medium sized eggs, and fairly good table fowls. The chicks grow well and develop rapidly under proper care. Description
 The Buff variety (fig. 11) is the most generally bred; their color tone offers an attraction to fanciers that is hard to resist. Both male and female are of a rich, deep, clear buff, uniform in shade throughout except the tail, which should be a deeper buff or copperish bronze, under-color same as surface color, but of lighter shade and should extend to the skin. In breeding select females as near as possible to the desired shade of buff, as free from dark or white in wing and tail, and of as even a color as can be. To such females mate a cock of deeper shade, with some little black in wing, and tail of deep buff of a coppery luster. This mating will produce good results in cockerels and pullets. The heavy leg and foot feathering so characteristic of the breed should have constant care and attention. While the feathering should be abundant, all semblance to vulture hock, or stiff feathering, should be avoided.  The Partridge Cochin (fig. 13) is a beautiful fowl yet difficult to breed, and in plumage is much after the pattern of the Dark Brahma, the color being red and brown, instead of the steel-gray effect of the latter. The head of the male, in color, is bright red; hackle, bright red or orange-red, with a distinct black stripe down the center of each feather; saddle feathers same as hackle; breast and body, rich deep black; wing bows, red; primaries, black on inside web, with a bay edging on the outside web; secondaries, black on the inside web and rich bay on the outside web, terminating with greenish-black at the end of each feather; wing coverts, greenish-black, forming a well-defined bar of that color across the wing when folded; tail black; sickle, coverts, and lesser coverts, glossy greenish-black; the latter may be edged with red; thighs, black; shanks, yellow, and well covered with black or brownish feathers, the middle toes being also well feathered. The female is the prettier of the two. Her head is small and of a rich brown plumage, with a stout, well-curved beak, yellow in color. He eyes are bay and mild in expression. The head is ornamented with a small single comb, set perfectly straight upon the head and bright red in color. The wattles are small, well rounded, and fine in texture; the ear lobes are well developed and are also fine in texture.  The neck is neatly curved, with abundant hackle flowing well over the shoulders. The plumage is bright red or orange red, with a broad black stripe down the middle of each feather. The black stripe in a good feather should run to a point near the end of the feather. This stripe should be free from penciling, but the standard permits a slight penciling of the black. (see fig. 14). A good back and cushion help to make the bird. Her back should be broad and flat, the broader the better, and the cushion should rise with a gentle convex curve and partially cover the tail. The plumage of back and cushion is a reddish-brown in color. Each feather is penciled with a darker brown; the outlines of the penciling conform to the shape of the feather.  The breast is one of the most important points of a good hen, and should be broad and massive. The plumage is of the same reddish-brown color as the back. The penciling on the breast is perhaps a little more distinct and open than on the back; the outlines of the penciling should be sharp and conform to the shape of the feather. The body is broad and deep behind and of the same plumage as the breast. The fluff is very abundant, covering the posterior portion of the bird and standing out about the thighs. Wings are small and the primaries fold closely under the secondaries; the bows are covered by the breast feathers and the fluff conceals the points. The primaries are very dark brown or blackish-brown in color; the inner web of the secondaries is a blackish-brown in color and the outer web is a blackish-brown penciled with a lighter brown. The coverts are similar in color and penciling to the plumage of the breast. The tail is small and short, is carried almost horizontally, and is partly concealed by the cushion. In color it is black, except the two main tail feathers, which are penciled. The tail coverts are penciled same as breast and body. Thighs are large and well covered with soft feathers; the feathers on the lower part curve inward around the hock and hide the joint on the outside. The feathering of the thighs is of the same shade and color as that of the body. Shanks are short and yellow, and heavily covered with feathers of the same color as thighs. The toes are well spread and yellow, the outer and middle toes being feathered throughout their entire length.  Black Cochins (fig. 15) are much more easily raised than are either of the varieties thus far described. Being of one color, the care bestowed in breeding particolored or peciled birds is not necessary, and the time may be spent in furthering their general utility in egg production. A one color bird is the more practical bird for the farmer and market poulterer. The black Cochin is of a rich glossy black plumage throughout. The White Cochin is pure white in plumage. Characteristics
The standard weight for Cochins are:
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