Brahma photo: Timo Kösters (Public domain) · Cochin photo: sammydavisdog from East Midlands, UK (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Brahma vs Cochin
Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.
The quick verdict
On eggs it's close — expect roughly 130–200 a year from the Brahma and 150–180 from the Cochin.
The Cochin goes broody often — a bonus if you want a hen to hatch her own chicks, a hassle if you'd rather she keep laying like the Brahma.
Choose the Brahma if you want…
- More eggs — up to 200 a year
- Rarely quits laying to sit on eggs
Choose the Cochin if you want…
- Will hatch and raise her own chicks
- A showier, ornamental bird
Side by side
| Trait | Brahma | Cochin |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual purpose | Ornamental |
| Eggs per year | ✓130–200 | 150–180 |
| Egg color | Brown | Brown |
| Egg size | Medium | Medium |
| Hen weight | 9–10 lbs | 8–9 lbs |
| Temperament | Gentle and docile | Exceptionally docile |
| Cold hardy | Yes | Yes |
| Heat tolerant | No | No |
| Broodiness | Sometimes broody | Often broody |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | Yes |
Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.
More head-to-heads
Brahma or Cochin — track whichever you pick
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.
