The Cochin breed of chicken originated from China. They are a very large breed that has a profuse amount of feathers, giving them a rounded appearance. The color varieties are black, white, buff, cuckoo, partridge, blue and grouse. The feathering is also on the legs and feet. Due to their shape and laziness, this breed can have health problems, although they are able to tolerate colder climates.

They are not active foragers and prefer walking on short grass, as longer grass can damage the feathers on their feet. Enclosures that are muddy should also be avoided. They have a docile, nice natured temperament, are easy to handle and make good pets. The hens lay a small amount of brown eggs, are very broody and make good mothers. The mature males can weigh around 5 kg and the females 3.8 kg. There are bantam versions available, although they are less docile than the standard size.