Silkies or Cochins?

[Sonoran Silkies]

Silkies, hands down, hands up and sweetest babies

Basically we each have our preferances for favourite breed, based upon or own prioitization for traits and qualities that we like and dislike. I don't care for leghorns, RIR or orpingtons; each of these breeds has fanatically loyal fans. I adore silkies & brahmas--lots of folks don't care for the feathered legs & feet, or the look of a flooffy chicken--they want a chicken that looks like a chicken.

Decide which traits you like, and the priority amongst those, and likewise the traits you don't care for. Then select the breed that best matches your personal preferances.

 

[Blueroo63]

i also have both Bantam Blue cochins,and SQ and Showgirls White silkies and I can not and won't choose I love the both they are they most awesome little guys & gals

 

[hippichick]

Cochins, definitely! I love my Silkies, but my Cochins have so much personality. They're just so much fun.

Paula

 

[waibel zoo]

Cochins. My cochins are much friendlier then my silkies. The cochins run over and jump on me (along with the polish) when I open the door. the silkies stay in the back, where I can't reach them. All were handled the same.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
I think Cochins are generally a more curious and inquisitive bird all the way around. I would agree with the statment above. One of my Cochin pullets will stand at the door when I open it, and nothing I do scares her.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

My silkies stampeded out the door when I opened it to the extend that I had to add 2' tall cage wire inside the door frame to keep them in unless I want them out.

The only ones who get frightened can't see and are startled. A few snips around their faces and it makes a huge diference.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I like the Cochins for broodies better because they can cover more eggs and they are better at defending the chicks once they are out with other chickens.
Silkies are sweet and have been good broody hens and okay mamas but not nearly as nice as my Cochins.
I have a bantam Cochin that will try and sit on a dz eggs. I don't let her have that many and am glad I also have my standards. They can sit on a dz and roll themselves over the whole clutch, hatch them and care for each one.
Silkies are great but can't cover as many and as has been mentioned, won't come out of the rain, wind or bright hot sun. Sometimes they get lost on the farm and can't find their way back and we have to go rescue them.

 

[Heather J]

Winter hardy is a pretty variable term. If you're talking your temps get down into the teens, maybe dip into single digits in winter, either will do. If you live in more extreme weather areas, you may want to go with cochins, because I understand the silkies don't retain the heat quite as well. We got into single digits here last winter just a few times and everyone seemed to do fine, but I have an insulated coop for them, and only opened the windows at night. they were hatched in September, so they were still quite young when it got cold out.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

silkies. >.> for me they are the greatest thing that ever happened to chickens. personality, motherly instinct, broodyness, cuteness.. its all good!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Cochins all the way. I have both but my cochins are the sweetest things going. My rooster Marshmellow is so good to his ladies and he even is good to my hen Doodle's little chick she hatched I just love the way they purr. Now my silkies they are alittle bit more skittish and today Freddie the roo went after me The silkies belong to my granddaughter. My cochins go broodie all the time Poor marshmellow was all alone for awhile unti Doodle finally brought her chick out. He would still call the girls every time I put treats out for them.