46 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
Cuckoo Cochins are occasionally exhibited : they are of a grey colour, each 
feather with transverse markings resembling those on the breast of the bird from 
which they derive their name. They are inferior in character to the other 
varieties, and are not likely to come into general estimation. 
The singular variety known as Silky Cochins, or sometimes as Emu fowls, is 
simply an accidental variation of plumage which occasionally occurs, and which 
may be perpetuated by careful breeding. The cause of the coarse fluffy appearance 
of these remarkable fowls is to be discovered in the fact that the barbs of the 
feathers, instead of being held together by a s-eries of hooked barbules (so as 
to constitute a plane surface, as occurs in all ordinary feathers), are perfectly 
distinct; and this occasions the loose, fibrous, silky appearance from which 
the fowl obtains its name. Silk Cochins are usually inferior in size to the 
ordinary varieties ; they are good layers and sitters, not differing in these 
respects from the other specimens of the breed from which they have evidently 
been derived. 
Having spoken at some length on the characters of Cochins, we have now to 
consider their general habits and value as a profitable fowl. To E. Hewitt, Esq., 
we are indebted for the following notes on this breed : — 
These fowls are of an extremely quiet and domestic disposition. A very low 
fence, of three or four feet high, quite prohibits their straying : hence their advan- 
tage where the range appropriated to them is scanty and confined. They are 
extraordinarily hardy, if not over-fed; the chickens are raised without any 
difficulty, and they are undoubtedly the very best layers of eggs in winter-time of 
any varieties with which I am as yet acquainted. If properly managed, this 
propensity may be so arranged as to yield very remunerative returns. The most 
lucrative plan I have yet tried is to obtain some strong and well-grown pullets 
that will commence laying about November : let these be comfortably housed at 
night, where they will be but little exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather, and 
be allowed to have access at pleasure into the same building during the daytime, 
of which they will avail themselves for protection in case of sudden storms. They 
should be liberally supplied with food, and have the advantage of a field-run, for 
they consume a far greater quantity of grass than any other kind of fowls, — a 
circumstance which lessens the expense of keeping them very considerably, — 
when they will then continue laying very freely until about the middle or end 
of the following March : if profit alone be the consideration of the owner, they, 
should all then be disposed of, for, if retained any longer, their keep will most 
undoubtedly lessen very considerably the profits that have already arisen. The 
cause of this is very easily explained. Every succeeding year of their lives their 
laying commences later in spring, being retarded by, and altogether dependent 
upon, the completion of their annual moult : indeed, I have known some of my old 
favourite hens that have not had their new feathering altogether restored until 
after the winter-laying pullets I have just described had ceased laying. 
It is well known how much more valuable eggs are during mid- winter than 
