144 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
admired in the Show pen. My advice to any young Fancier or beginner in the Fancy, and their choice 
leaning towards the Asiatic breeds, is that they cannot do better than invest in the Partridge Cochin. In a 
general yard of F^owls they always particularly attract the admiration of the fair sex, and, if looked after and 
properly attended to, the " hobb)' " paying for itself is always fully assured. A few years ago I purchased a 
cockerel from the well-known David Jones strain, at a cost of 30s., and I won at least ^10 in prize money 
alone, besides disposing of many of the progeny from this bird at good sums. I also established a strain 
which produced each year a number of good Exhibition chickens, but, alas, like many others, went for a 
cross of new blood, which had the effect of producing objectionable white feathers, which has taken me some 
years to " breed out." This appearance of white feathers in Partridge Cochins is a most singular thing. 
The utmost precaution and care must be exercised in the introduction of fresh blood, and, if one has a good 
strain, it is well to obtain a bird bred from your own strain if a cross is necessary." 
In giving our own actual practical experience with Cochins, extending over seven years, which was 
confined solely to the Partridge variety, we found them quite up to expectations. The chickens were very 
hardy, and easily reared ; the cockerels, like other Asiatic breed.s, requiring a long time to develop ; the 
pullets maturing much earlier. The hens were fairly good layers of rich brown-coloured eggs, but 
after laying from 10 to 15 eggs evinced a persistent propensity to "sit," which at times became a positive 
nuisance. The only plan to obviate this and work at all well was, immediately on the first symptoms of 
broodiness, to remove them to quite a different run or yard for a few days. This was generally successful, 
and, as a rule, they commenced laying again in from ten days to a fortnight. 
There is much skill required in breeding the Partridge variety up to Standard requirements, but, when seen 
in anything approaching perfection, would be difticult to excel in the accuracy of the feather markings, the 
waxy lustre on the cock's hackles and back almost equalling that of the Game F^owl, whilst the markings on 
the hen's whole body are wonderfully accurate, ^\'e found the variety very much disposed to breed insect 
pests if kept in small quarters, therefore we cannot recommend them as a variety suitable for close 
confinement in small yards, especially in very hot districts. For colder locations there is no reason why they 
should not do well, and give a good return. Their constitutions were of the hardiest, or they would not have 
survived under the conditions we were compelled to keep them. 
Schedule for Judging Cochins, 
general characteristics of cock. 
Head ^^^(:■/^■.— General appearance of head neat, small, and intelligent-looking. Beak, rather short, 
stout at base, and with a downward curve : Comb, single, perfectly straight, evenly serrated, fine in texture, 
and nicely arched ; Waft/es, long, thin, fine, and pendant ; Ear-lobes or Deaf Ears, of rather full 
development, hanging down almost on a level with the wattles ; Neck, short, and head carried somewhat 
forward, the hackle very abundant, flowing well over the sides of the breast and back, the neck well curved ; 
Body, general appearance large, full, and deep ; Back, very broad, but short ; Saddle, very large and broad, 
rising upward, and forming a continuous and unbroken line with the tail ; Wings, very small, carried closely 
together, and well clipped up, the butts being buried in the feathers of the breast, and the secondaries partly 
hidden under the saddle hackles above and the fluff below ; Breast, full and broad, and coming well down. 
Legs and Ecet, thighs large, and well covered with an abundance of soft, fluffy feathers, the latter 
assuming a globular shape, hocks entirely covered with the softest of curling feathers, quite free from 
stiff quills ; Shanks, short and stout, set on very wide apart, heavily feathered on the outside, the feathering 
extending down the outer and centre toes ; Toes, large, straight, and well spread out ; Tail, very small, the 
feathers being soft and silky, with scarcely any stiffness in the quills — the carriage of the tail should be nearly 
flat; Size, large, ranging from lo to 12 lbs. or more in cocks, and 8 to 10 lbs. or more in cockerels; 
General Shape, massive and deep ; Carriage, rather low and forward in front, high at the stern, with a 
measured and dignified movement. 
