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Chapter XX. 
COCHINS. 
The introduction of this famous breed of Poultry to England dates back to the forties, and was largely 
responsible for the "mania " which seized upon the Fanciers of the nineteenth century. This craze has died 
out to a very great extent, but there are still many enthusiastic admirers and staunch adherents of this world- 
renowned breed of Fowls. That the breed possesses merits is beyond dispute, but that they have been 
highly exaggerated is equally true. Their extremely docile dispositions and indolent movements found them 
many supporters, and backed up with their beautiful plumage and grand physical and majestic proportions, 
possibly will account for the furore occasioned by their advent. They came upon the scene when few persons 
kept Fowls, at a time when Poultry Shows were an almost unknown quantity, and, in fact, the present-day 
enthusiasm shown in Poultry matters the world over can be distinctly traced to the advent of the lordly 
Cochin. In their general appearance and characteristics they are widely different from other races of Fowls, 
with the exception of the Brahma, to which they bear some affinity, as it is shrewdly conjectured that the 
latter breed is composed partly of Cochin blood. A fully-developed Cochin cock should not weigh less than 
from lo to 12 lbs., but many specimens greatly exceed this latter weight, though at the same time, being 
clothed with such a mass of soft, loose, and fluffy feathers, actually look far larger. This massive appearance 
is mainly caused by the feathers being very broad across the web, and thinner and weaker in the shaft, or 
quill, than other varieties of Poultry. The comb is single, perfectly upright, and quite free from twists or 
side sprigs, and should not have the slightest tendency to fall to one side, the comb having a nicely arched 
outline, and neat, evenly-serrated spikes, the comb, face, ear-lobe, and wattles being very fine in texture. 
The head is rather small, but very intelligent in expression, and should be carried slightly forward ; the neck 
short, the hackle feathers being very abundant, and flowing over the sides of the breast, back, and shoulders ; 
the shoulders squarely set on, and very broad across ; the breast rather high, but prominent, full, and very 
broad ; the back short, wide, and flat across, finishing quickly into the saddle. The latter should be quite 
as broad as the back, beginning its rise almost from the base of the neck, gradually rising towards the tail, 
the tail continuing the rounded curve without the slightest break or angle. The body is short and deep, and 
the fluff on thighs and behind standing out in a compact, globular form, the leg and foot feathering being 
very abundant. The hocks should be completely covered with the softest of curling feathers (that is, quite 
free from stiff projecting quills), the shank feathering also abundant, and standing out well ; the legs short 
and stout, and set on wide apart. The tail should not contain stift" quills, but composed entirely of 
soft curling feathers. The wings are very short, well clipped up, and the point or ends almost 
buried in the mass of saddle feathers above and the fluff below. The walk of the Cochin is a strong 
characteristic point, being slow, measured, and dignified. The hen is very similar to the cock in general 
conformation ; but in her case the cushion corresponding co the saddle of the cock is much more fully 
developed, being almost globular in the fulness of oudine, the fluff on thighs being also wonderfully 
developed. The tail of the hen is very small, and the tips of the feathers should just appear, and no more, 
through the cushion. In all other points she should be identical with the cock, making allowance for 
difference in sex. 
The colours chiefly bred, and valued in the order named, are Lemon and Yellow Buffs, Cinnamons, 
Partridge, Whites, Blacks, Cuckoos, and there is also a sub-variety named Silky Cochins. Of these, as 
remarked, the Buffs are by far the most popular, and, possibly, there is no grander sight in the Poultry world 
than a pair of high-class specimens of this variety. Of the various shades in the Buffs, the lighter or 
