Orps vs Cochins

[SunAngel]

Are Orps a better breed than Cochins?

I have noticed that Orps (all colors) seem to be a big hit with people on BYC. A few have Cochins, but they don't seem nearly as popular, specially the standard ones. Since May I have gotten quite a variety of breeds and found Cochins to be my favorite so far. I have not yet been able to purchase any Orp eggs or chicks, so I am wondering if I am missing out on something.

I currently have Buff, White, GL and Blue Cochins and have ordered 4 other colors and am hoping to get eggs to hatch 2 additional colors. But now I am wondering if the chicken I let become my favorite, isn't the best all around choice?

Is it just a personal preference? Or not liking feathered feet? Do Orps lay better/longer/more consistently? Are they friendlier? Is one breed hardier than the other?

Just curious if there were specific reasons why people choose Orps over Cochins? I love the big fluffy Cochin, but I also want a good egg layer and possible food source if need be.

 

[Must Be Losing It]

I have one BO who is awesome but I also have a handful of bantam cochins and am incubating some standard cochin eggs right now. Personally I find the personalities of the cochins and the BO to be about the same and both are gorgeous birds.

However, in my opinion, there is nothing more fun to look at then a big huge fluffy standard cochin. They are just amazing birds and I cannot wait to have a few.

 

[SunAngel]

Those are the exact reasons I love the breed. They just make me want to hug them

The two Cochins I have had the longest are real calm, sweet natured and total fluffballs...one is a chatterbox and one is very quiet....neither are ever flighty. I couldn't find any real downside to them, so I was wondering what I might be missing in my inexperience.

 

[al6517]

I have both Buff Cochins & Buff Orphingtons Both ( Standards ), I only chose to have a few cochins Because they looked very cool with all the bulk fluff, and feathered feet. I did know that they were not very good layers, and slow growers. Between the two for your purposes the Orp's would be a more practical choice, they are a really good all around bird. good luck in your choice.

AL

 

[SunAngel]

So Orps are better layers?

My two Cochins didn't start laying til 8 months of age. The white one laid every day though, but unfortunately that was only weeks before it got really cold. I am pretty sure she hasn't laid very many eggs since then. The white one did start laying a month ago, but she isn't laying well either.

 

[Must Be Losing It]

Actually, I had also heard BO's are better layers. But I just cannot seem to buy practical birds.

 

[SunAngel]

Apparently neither can I lol

DH is not going to be happy if half my flock ends up being Cochins and we don't get many eggs

 

[Matt A NC]

It is not that all Cochins are bad layers. The problem is that they go broody alot. I have a pet quality gal that will lay every other day till she has laid 12-14 eggs, then she goes broody. I do not leave eggs out, but she remembers what has been laid.

By the end of last summer I was pulling hens off nests and shutting them out of the houses in order to break them from being broody.

My show cochins do not start to lay till they hit 10-12 months old. The poorer the quality the sooner they may start.

Matt

 

[SunAngel]

Neither of my standards have gone broody yet, but my first broody here over the Summer was a bantam Cochin.

I think I may be in trouble come Spring. With 8+ Cochins and 10 or so Silkies...I am going to be tossing chickens out of nesting spots all day long!

 

[oldbuzzard]

you will love orps! mine started laying at 21 weeks.