All three breeds are cold hardy and calm, gentle breeds, but if good egg production is important to you, I would go with the Orpingtons or the Brahmas, as the Cochins are poor layers (although they are excellent brooders and mothers). In my experience, the lay rate of Orpingtons and Brahmas is about the same, but the Orpingtons tend to have a little larger eggs, so my vote would be for the Orpingtons.