- SHAPE – FEMALE
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The Chinese Shanghai fowl came to England and America in
1845. The name of this
Asiatic breed was later changed to Cochin. The earliest Cochins were more or less buff in color.
Its striking appearance, due to great size and profuse soft
feathering, distinguished it from all other known breeds at that
early period. Cochins
created a sensation in England, resulting in a great boom for the
“Cochin China” as it was called in the days of “Cochin
Craze”.
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At that time, four varieties were recognized; namely Buff,
White, Black and Partridge, all being admitted to the Standard in
1874.
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Both male and female are massive in appearance, with an
extra-ordinary profusion of long, soft plumage and a great abundance
of down fiber in the under-fluff, producing a rather bulky
appearance, and conveying the idea of even greater weight than
actually exists. Hard
or closely fitting plumage is a very serious defect also specimens
lacking greatly in size and cushion.
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- ECONOMIC QUALITIES
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Although primarily bred for exhibition, the Cochin is capable
of being bred as a meat type fowl.
Color of skin, yellow; color of eggshells brown.
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- DISQUALIFICATIONS
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Vulture hocks, shanks not feathered down the outer sides,
outer toes not feathered to last joint, bare middle toes (See
General Disqualifications and Cutting for Defects)
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- STANDARD WEIGHTS
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- Cock...............................11
lbs.
Hen.......................................8
1/2 lbs.
- Cockerel...........................9
lbs.
Pullet..........................................7
lbs.
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- The Female Shape – as
defined in the American Poultry Association, Standard of
Perfection
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- COMB:
Single; small, straight
and upright; nicely rounded to conform to shape of head; divided
into five points; free from wrinkles, fine in texture.
- BEAK:
Short, stout at base, curving to point.
- FACE:
Smooth, fine in texture.
- EYES:
Medium in size.
- WATTLES:
Small, nicely rounded; fine in texture.
- EAR
LOBES: Oblong, fairly well
defined, fine in texture.
- HEAD:
Neat, fairly full in
skull, fashioned after that of male, except finer in form.
- NECK:
Short, nicely arched,
plumage, very full, slowing well over shoulders and cape.
- BACK:
Short in appearance, very
broad, well rounded; shoulders, broad, flat under neck feathers;
cushion rising from cape. large, full and round; plumage; profuse,
flowing over tips of wings well into thigh plumage and almost
covering tail feathers.
- TAIL:
Short, broad at base,
carried rather low; well filled underneath with profusion of soft
feathers and nearly enveloped by tail coverts, which help to form
the cushion.
- Main
Tail Feathers -- broad and overlapping.
- WINGS:
Small, well folded and
carried without drooping; fronts embedded in plumage of breast;
tips, concealed between cushion and thigh plumage; wingbows smooth
and exceedingly well-rounded.
- Primaries
and Secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing
is folded.
- BREAST:
Carried low in front,
full, well rounded, of great breadth and depth.
- BODY
AND FLUFF: Body -- medium in length, broad, deep, full and well rounded
from point of breast to abdomen, well let down between legs, full
and round from breast bone to tail, with great length and fullness
of feather.
- Fluff
– full, soft, profuse.
- LEGS
AND TOES: Legs set well
apart, straight when viewed from front.
- Lower
thighs -- medium length, moderately large, straight; with great
profusion of long, soft, outstanding fluff plumage, completely
hiding hock and covering shanks almost to feet.
- Hocks
-- should be well covered with profusion of soft flexible feathers,
curving inward about joints free from vulture-like feathers.
- Shanks
-- short, stout in bone, covered profusely with long plumage.
- Toes --
four on each foot, straight, well-spread; middle and outer toes,
heavily feathered to ends.
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