Silkie
Fluffy bantam with black skin and 5 toes.
Silkie vs Cochin
Both are fluffy, gentle, broody ornamental breeds. Silkies are smaller and unique with black skin; Cochins are larger feather-footed teddy bears.
Cochin
Giant fluffball with feathered feet.
Side-by-side
| Trait | Silkie | Cochin |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | ornamental | ornamental |
| Eggs / year | 120 | 150 |
| Egg color | cream | brown |
| Egg size | small | medium |
| Temperament | gentle, broody, sweet | calm, cuddly, broody |
| Size | bantam | jumbo |
| Cold-hardy | No | Yes |
| Heat-hardy | Yes | No |
| Broody | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Noise level | quiet | quiet |
Pick Silkie if you…
Want a tiny, ornamental, ultra-broody pet hen, perfect for kids and small yards.
Pick Cochin if you…
Want a big, cold-hardy, fluffy lap chicken who lays slightly more.
Still can't decide?
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Take the Breed Matcher quizFrequently asked questions
Do Silkies and Cochins lay many eggs?
No. Silkies lay 100-120 small cream eggs/year; Cochins lay 150-180 medium brown eggs/year. Both go broody constantly.
Which is better for cold climates?
Cochin. Their dense feathering and bulk handle subzero winters better than Silkies.