Cochin chicken farming is popular among the poultry keepers mainly for their beauty. They are very beautiful with the most distinctive feature is the excessive plumage that covers legs and foot. And they are mainly raised as ornamental birds in most areas.
The Cochin chicken is actually an Asiatic breed of domestic chicken which was originated from China in the early 1850s. Today the breed is known and popular throughout the world for being big friendly balls of fluff and feathers.
As a very distinctive breed of domestic chicken, the Cochin chickens became very popular among the poultry lovers in the English-speaking world. Like the Brahma chicken (which is another popular Asiatic chicken breed), the Cochin chickens are also very large in size. And actually it is among the largest breed of domestic chicken available today.
Commercial Cochin chicken farming is a good business idea if you can easily sell ornamental birds in your area. It is not an utility breed and raised mainly as pets or for ornamental purposes.
So if pet chicken or ornamental chicken has good demand and value in your area then you can start Cochin chicken farming business commercially. Otherwise you can raise a few birds as pets.
How to Start Cochin Chicken Farming
Cochin chickens require special care and management. So starting commercial Cochin chicken farming business is pretty different than starting a chicken farming business with any other chicken breeds. Because the Cochin chickens are fancy birds and raised for ornamental purpose and they must look clean and beautiful.
The Cochin chickens come in a wide variety of colors including black, buff, blue, red, splash, golden laced, partridge, silver laced and white. However, here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Cochin chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting your Cochin chicken farming business. The Cochin chickens are common and popular throughout the world. So you will probably be able to easily find the birds in your area.
Search any chicken breeding centers or existing farms in your area. And you can also search your local online classified websites for purchasing Cochin chickens.
You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high price. On the other hand the day old chicks are generally much cheaper, but they require additional caring.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is very important for Cochin chicken farming business. The house also needs to be clean, because the Cochin chickens are ornamental birds and they must look clean and beautiful.
Install good ventilation system and ensure flow of enough clean and fresh air inside the house. And make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house.
The Cochin chickens are among the largest domestic chicken breeds. And a mature bird generally require around or up to 6 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
This is the most important part of Cochin chicken farming business. Because good food not only keeps the birds growing but also helps them to stay free from health problems or diseases. So, always try to feed your birds with very good quality and nutritious food.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds or prepare the feeds of your own. Whatever you choose, ensure that the food is nutritious and good for the chickens.
The Cochin chickens can be raised in both confinement and free range system. Raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs and producing quality products.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand.
Breeding
The Cochin chickens are naturally good breeders. All you need to produce fertile eggs is to keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally one mature rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
The Cochin hens go broody and they become excellent mothers. Generally it takes about 22 days to hatch their eggs and the chicks are pretty strong.
Caring
The Cochin chickens require special care as they are fancy birds. Keep their house or living area as clean as possible. And sterilize their living place frequently. Feed them good quality feeds and vaccinate them timely.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products is not a problem, because chicken products have very good demand and value in the market. Although demand and price for pet or ornamental breed can vary from place to place.
So you should determine the demand and price of Cochin chickens in your area before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Cochin chicken farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
