What is a Cinnamon Queen?
The Cinnamon Queen is a red sex-link hybrid sold by many hatcheries for backyard egg production. It is not a recognised standard breed. Hatchery descriptions commonly say it comes from crossing a Rhode Island Red-type male with a lighter-coloured female line, though the exact parents differ between suppliers. Because the sexes differ in colour at hatch, hatcheries can sell sexed females. Offspring of two Cinnamon Queens won’t reliably match their parents.
What is a pullet?
A pullet is a young female chicken, generally under about a year old and before or around her first laying year. A “started pullet” is one that has been raised past the chick stage, often to 15 to 22 weeks, and sold ready to move into a coop. A pullet becomes a hen after her first laying season (definitions vary). To tell a pullet from an older hen, look at age: younger birds usually have smaller, paler combs before laying, and sleek, unworn feathers. Ask the seller for hatch dates, since appearance alone is an unreliable guide.
Appearance and size
Hens are typically a warm reddish-gold or cinnamon colour, often with lighter feathers on the underside or tail. Suppliers commonly quote hen weights of roughly 5 to 7 pounds, with males heavier, but sizes vary.
Temperament
Cinnamon Queens are generally described as docile, friendly and active foragers, a reasonable choice for beginners and families. Individual birds differ, and any flock can have a pushy hen. For comparison, see our notes on Production Red friendliness. If you are asking for “the calmest breed of chicken,” there isn’t a single proven answer; breeds such as Orpingtons, Brahmas and several sex-link hybrids are often cited as calm, but handling and environment matter as much as genetics.
When do they start laying?
Many suppliers expect first eggs at about 18 to 22 weeks, sometimes a little earlier or later depending on season, nutrition and daylight. Early eggs may be small or irregular at first. Pullets that begin laying very late, or never, should be checked by a vet who knows poultry.
Egg production
Suppliers often quote around 250 to 320 large brown eggs per year in the first laying year. Backyard hens typically produce somewhat fewer, and output declines each year and in winter and moult. Do not count on peak numbers all year.
Buying started pullets
- Buy from a reputable hatchery or local breeder, and ask about vaccination and health history.
- Prices vary widely between sellers and regions, so compare rather than relying on one quote.
- Ask the age at shipping or pickup, and what feed they are on.
- Quarantine new birds away from your flock for a few weeks. Watch for coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, lameness, lice or mites.
- Check local rules on flock size and vaccination before buying.
Care and health basics
Switch to layer feed when hens begin laying (or as your supplier advises), with clean water and a calcium source on the side. Keep the coop dry and ventilated with sufficient space. If a pullet looks sick, breathes with difficulty, is straining or has a swollen abdomen, call a vet experienced with poultry.
FAQ
What is the rarest colour of chicken? Opinions differ, and it depends on how “rare” is defined. Cinnamon Queens are not rare.
Are they good egg layers? Yes, they’re commonly sold as productive brown egg layers. See other red hybrids like red sex links.
Next steps
To compare with other options, read our guide to the best chickens for backyard eggs.