The Cochin Large Fowl Female (Asiatic Class)
The Cochin Large Fowl Female (Asiatic Class)
Text of the Large Fowl Cochin Breed Standard is owned and copyrighted by the American Poultry Association (‘American Standard of Perfection’), and is used here solely for educational purposes with their permission.
SHAPE – FEMALE
The Chinese Shanghai fowl came to England and America in 1845. The name of this Asiatic breed was later changed to Cochin. The earliest Cochins were more or less buff in color. Its striking appearance, due to great size and profuse soft feathering, distinguished it from all other known breeds at that early period. Cochins created a sensation in England, resulting in a great boom for the “Cochin China” as it was called in the days of “Cochin Craze”.
At that time, four varieties were recognized; namely Buff, White, Black and Partridge, all being admitted to the Standard in 1874.
Both male and female are massive in appearance, with an extra-ordinary profusion of long, soft plumage and a great abundance of down fiber in the under-fluff, producing a rather bulky appearance, and conveying the idea of even greater weight than actually exists. Hard or closely fitting plumage is a very serious defect also specimens lacking greatly in size and cushion.
ECONOMIC QUALITIES
Although primarily bred for exhibition, the Cochin is capable of being bred as a meat type fowl. Color of skin, yellow; color of eggshells brown.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Vulture hocks, shanks not feathered down the outer sides, outer toes not feathered to last joint, bare middle toes (See General Disqualifications and Cutting for Defects)
STANDARD WEIGHTS
Cock...............................11 lbs. Hen.......................................8 1/2 lbs.
Cockerel...........................9 lbs. Pullet..........................................7 lbs.
The Female Shape – as defined in the American Poultry Association, Standard of Perfection
COMB: Single; small, straight and upright; nicely rounded to conform to shape of head; divided into five points; free from wrinkles, fine in texture.
BEAK: Short, stout at base, curving to point.
FACE: Smooth, fine in texture.
EYES: Medium in size.
WATTLES: Small, nicely rounded; fine in texture.
EAR LOBES: Oblong, fairly well defined, fine in texture.
HEAD: Neat, fairly full in skull, fashioned after that of male, except finer in form.
NECK: Short, nicely arched, plumage, very full, slowing well over shoulders and cape.
BACK: Short in appearance, very broad, well rounded; shoulders, broad, flat under neck feathers; cushion rising from cape. large, full and round; plumage; profuse, flowing over tips of wings well into thigh plumage and almost covering tail feathers.
TAIL: Short, broad at base, carried rather low; well filled underneath with profusion of soft feathers and nearly enveloped by tail coverts, which help to form the cushion.
Main Tail Feathers -- broad and overlapping.
WINGS: Small, well folded and carried without drooping; fronts embedded in plumage of breast; tips, concealed between cushion and thigh plumage; wingbows smooth and exceedingly well-rounded.
Primaries and Secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.
BREAST: Carried low in front, full, well rounded, of great breadth and depth.
BODY AND FLUFF: Body -- medium in length, broad, deep, full and well rounded from point of breast to abdomen, well let down between legs, full and round from breast bone to tail, with great length and fullness of feather.
Fluff – full, soft, profuse.
LEGS AND TOES: Legs set well apart, straight when viewed from front.
Lower thighs -- medium length, moderately large, straight; with great profusion of long, soft, outstanding fluff plumage, completely hiding hock and covering shanks almost to feet.
Hocks -- should be well covered with profusion of soft flexible feathers, curving inward about joints free from vulture-like feathers.
Shanks -- short, stout in bone, covered profusely with long plumage.
Toes -- four on each foot, straight, well-spread; middle and outer toes, heavily feathered to ends.
The Chinese Shanghai fowl came to England and America in 1845. The name of this Asiatic breed was later changed to Cochin. The earliest Cochins were more or less buff in color. Its striking appearance, due to great size and profuse soft feathering, distinguished it from all other known breeds at that early period. Cochins created a sensation in England, resulting in a great boom for the “Cochin China” as it was called in the days of “Cochin Craze”.
At that time, four varieties were recognized; namely Buff, White, Black and Partridge, all being admitted to the Standard in 1874.
Both male and female are massive in appearance, with an extra-ordinary profusion of long, soft plumage and a great abundance of down fiber in the under-fluff, producing a rather bulky appearance, and conveying the idea of even greater weight than actually exists. Hard or closely fitting plumage is a very serious defect also specimens lacking greatly in size and cushion.
ECONOMIC QUALITIES
Although primarily bred for exhibition, the Cochin is capable of being bred as a meat type fowl. Color of skin, yellow; color of eggshells brown.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Vulture hocks, shanks not feathered down the outer sides, outer toes not feathered to last joint, bare middle toes (See General Disqualifications and Cutting for Defects)
STANDARD WEIGHTS
Cock...............................11 lbs. Hen.......................................8 1/2 lbs.
Cockerel...........................9 lbs. Pullet..........................................7 lbs.
The Female Shape – as defined in the American Poultry Association, Standard of Perfection
COMB: Single; small, straight and upright; nicely rounded to conform to shape of head; divided into five points; free from wrinkles, fine in texture.
BEAK: Short, stout at base, curving to point.
FACE: Smooth, fine in texture.
EYES: Medium in size.
WATTLES: Small, nicely rounded; fine in texture.
EAR LOBES: Oblong, fairly well defined, fine in texture.
HEAD: Neat, fairly full in skull, fashioned after that of male, except finer in form.
NECK: Short, nicely arched, plumage, very full, slowing well over shoulders and cape.
BACK: Short in appearance, very broad, well rounded; shoulders, broad, flat under neck feathers; cushion rising from cape. large, full and round; plumage; profuse, flowing over tips of wings well into thigh plumage and almost covering tail feathers.
TAIL: Short, broad at base, carried rather low; well filled underneath with profusion of soft feathers and nearly enveloped by tail coverts, which help to form the cushion.
Main Tail Feathers -- broad and overlapping.
WINGS: Small, well folded and carried without drooping; fronts embedded in plumage of breast; tips, concealed between cushion and thigh plumage; wingbows smooth and exceedingly well-rounded.
Primaries and Secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.
BREAST: Carried low in front, full, well rounded, of great breadth and depth.
BODY AND FLUFF: Body -- medium in length, broad, deep, full and well rounded from point of breast to abdomen, well let down between legs, full and round from breast bone to tail, with great length and fullness of feather.
Fluff – full, soft, profuse.
LEGS AND TOES: Legs set well apart, straight when viewed from front.
Lower thighs -- medium length, moderately large, straight; with great profusion of long, soft, outstanding fluff plumage, completely hiding hock and covering shanks almost to feet.
Hocks -- should be well covered with profusion of soft flexible feathers, curving inward about joints free from vulture-like feathers.
Shanks -- short, stout in bone, covered profusely with long plumage.
Toes -- four on each foot, straight, well-spread; middle and outer toes, heavily feathered to ends.