Standard Varieties of Chickens. 
9 
COCHIN. 
The Cochin is also one of the oldest standard breeds. It is be¬ 
lieved to have originated in China and to have been imported into the 
United States from that country or from England. The Cochin is 
particularly characterized by the nature of its feathering, which is 
very heavy and very soft and loose. 
The large size of these fowls and the character of feathering give 
them a decided appearance of massiveness. In shape they are deep 
bodied and appear to be rather round. The profuse feathering gives 
Fig. 5. — Dark Brahma female. 
the bird the appearance of being set very low on its legs, as the body 
feathering completely hides the hock joints. The heavy feathering 
has brought about the development of a large cushion in the female, 
giving the hens the appearance of having a very short back and a 
convex sweep from the back to the end of the tail. The feathering 
extends down the outer sides of the shanks in great profusion, and 
also covers the outer and middle toes, almost completely hiding the 
feet. The feathers about the hocks should be soft and curving, as 
stiff feathers extending back from the hocks produce what is known 
as vulture hocks, which are undesirable in this breed. 
