Cochin Clubs ~ Europe

Not in all countries of Europe there are Cochin Clubs as we know in England. In Holland and Belgium the club deals with both Cochins and Cochin Bantams. In Germany and Sweden there are clubs for both Brahmas and Cochins. As far as I know, there are no Cochin Clubs in other countries.

Cochins are being bred in many more colours than recognized by the English poultry standards. For many years, mottled Cochins (brought to England by your president Peter Heywood) are a recognized variety in Germany. Some other colours that exist are buff-cuckoo, blue-partridge, crele, wheaten, blue-wheaten, silver-partridge (dark) and in Germany silver- and gold laced are being developed. In Sweden, some twenty years ago, there were even Cochins in salmon colour. In Belgium, frizzle Cochins are bred in different colours.

Most European standards are the same as the English standard. Most colours with the gold factor in them (buff, partridge) are preferred more reddish in Germany.

For many years there have been good contacts between breeders from different countries. In the last 15 years or so, there are also contacts between board members of European Cochin Clubs. Birds and eggs are being exchanged regularly between different countries. Many English friends visit big shows on the continent. In the Netherlands, once a year, on the second Saturday of September, an international Cochin Day is held. Michael Hatcher has already judged twice on that event. The last example of cooperation was the European show for Brahmas and Cochins that was in November 2007 in Affligem, Belgium. Many breeders met there in good atmosphere. There are also contacts with breeders in USA, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Spain and Portugal.

As I said before, in the Netherlands both Cochins and Cochin bantams are in one club. The name Cochin bantam is not really correct. The miniature is not a bantam copy of the Cochin. The Cochin bantam was bred out of the Pekin, as you know them in England. The small ball of feathers was mainly developed in USA, Holland and Germany. As in England one bred a small bird with long foot feathers, in Europe and USA one bred a bird with overwhelming fluffy feathers all over the body. Their weight is only a little higher than that of the Pekin, but they show larger, more massive. Germany has a club for Cochin bantams only.

I hope you will find many interesting sites at the "Links" section. This way you will find your way in the Cochin-World of Europe and all over the planet.

Ardjan Warnshuis, President of the Dutch Cochin Club.