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Hello from Belen NM and question about chicken breed

5 replies
Joined: 10/07/2009
User offline. Last seen 45 weeks 3 days ago.

I bought my first chicks in June and my husband built a coop and run for my six babies.  When they became big enough we began letting them roam in the back yard and even do a little bug control in my garden.  They love grasshoppers!  I have one chicken that is black, has black feathered feet and is at least twice the size of my other chickens. Does anyone have any idea what breed this could be?  The tail feathers are prominent but the chicken color is dull but has a very prominent comb and waddle. No sign of spurs.

Joined: 07/09/2009
User offline. Last seen 32 weeks 1 day ago.

Sounds like a Cochin, standard size. Are the rest of your chickens bantam? I have a twelve week rooster and his comb and wattle are very pronounced but his spurs are yet still little buds.

Joined: 10/12/2009
User offline. Last seen 46 weeks 2 days ago.

I agree with Ninnlou. It sounds like you have a Black Cochin. I have three Cochins.

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Owner of 1 Partridge Cochin cockerel, 2 Blue Cochin pullets, 2 Buff Orpington pullets, 2 Standard Old English Game, 4 Black Jersey Giants, and 6 Black Australorps.

Joined: 10/07/2009
User offline. Last seen 45 weeks 3 days ago.

I looked at pictures of Cochins and new immediately that is what this chicken must be.  I think it is a rooster.   That is what it looks like in the pictures.  My son gave him a boy name when he was just a tiny chick.  He is very large.  Very tall.  Are standard Cochins large?  He is only 5 months old.  When can I expect him to be fully grown?  Is he still a pullet.  He is a little standoffish but not at all aggressive or mean.  The rest of my chickens are definitely hens.  I have on leghorn and 4 rhode island reds. 

Joined: 06/06/2009
User offline. Last seen 38 weeks 5 days ago.

Your Cochin is old enough to be considered a cockerel, or rooster. He never was a pullet, as those are the female birds that are not laying eggs yet. Once they start laying, they are called hens.

Usually a "standard" of any breed is a large bird compared to a "bantam" of the same breed, so your standard Cochin will be a large bird in comparison. Hope this helps!

Joined: 01/25/2010
User offline. Last seen 31 weeks 1 day ago.