Description
Cherry Egger Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Cherry Egger™ chicken is a dark red production layer selected from Rhode Island Red-type breeding. If you like the look of a rich, deep red bird and want steady large brown eggs, this Cackle Hatchery® strain is a practical choice for the backyard flock.
These birds are selected for darker red coloring, good egg production, and easy backyard usefulness. They are not meant to be a separate old heritage breed like the Rhode Island Red. Instead, think of them as a production-focused red chicken chosen for color, laying ability, and flock value.
If you want a dependable brown egg layer that also looks handsome in the yard, Cherry Eggers™ fit the job well. They are a good pick for families, backyard chicken keepers, and anyone raising chickens at home for eggs.
Appearance and Characteristics
Cherry Eggers™ have a darker cherry-red feather color, which gives them a richer look than many lighter red production birds. That dark red color is the main reason many customers choose them.
They have a classic red chicken appearance and a useful production build. Hens are docile and can make good hen house chickens or pet-type backyard birds. Cackle’s hatching egg page also notes that Cherry Eggers™ have dark cherry red feather coloring and docile hens.
Because they come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, they carry the familiar red-layer look many people associate with old backyard egg flocks.
Cherry Egger™ vs Rhode Island Red: What’s the Difference?
Cherry Eggers™ are closely tied to Rhode Island Red breeding, but they are selected with a slightly different goal in mind.
Choose Cherry Eggers™ if you want darker red production birds selected for large brown eggs and backyard usefulness. Choose Rhode Island Red chickens if you want the traditional recognized breed with its full heritage history and standard breed identity.
Both can be good brown egg layers. However, Cherry Eggers™ are chosen from darker red production stock, which gives them that rich cherry-red appearance customers like.
Egg Production and Utility
Cherry Egger™ hens lay large brown eggs and make useful production birds for backyard egg baskets. They are a good option if you want dependable layers without moving into a commercial hybrid like a sex-link or high-output specialty cross.
They work well for customers raising chickens for eggs at home. With steady feed, clean water, good housing, and enough daylight, these hens can help keep your egg basket supplied.
Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed quality, weather, housing, and overall care. Like any laying hen, they may slow down during molt, stress, extreme weather, or shorter winter days.
If you enjoy hatching projects, Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Cackle’s hatching egg category also reminds customers that hatch rates can vary after shipping because temperature and handling sit outside the hatchery’s control.
Temperament and Suitability
Cherry Eggers™ are a good fit for backyard flocks, family egg projects, and small homesteads. They are known as practical, docile red chickens that can be easy to enjoy in the hen house.
They can do well in winter when you provide a dry coop and a good windbreak. Cold weather is easier on chickens when the coop stays dry, ventilated, and protected from drafts.
They also suit families who want chickens for both eggs and the backyard experience. As with any breed or strain, individual personalities can vary. Still, this red production type is a sensible choice if you want a bird that lays well and looks good doing it.
For new chick owners, Cackle Hatchery’s chick care instructions cover brooding, heat, feed, water, litter, and first-day care. The guide notes that chicks need a warm zone of 100–105°F in the brooder for the first 48 hours.
Is the Cherry Egger™ Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Cherry Eggers™ if you want:
A dark red production chicken
A large brown egg layer
A backyard-friendly red hen
A Rhode Island Red-type production bird
A docile hen house chicken
A good family flock option
A bird that can handle winter with proper housing
A practical layer for home egg production
A hatching egg option when available
Overall, Cherry Eggers™ are a good match if you want a handsome red bird with useful egg production. They may not be the right pick if you are looking for an APA heritage breed for exhibition, but they make a lot of sense for backyard eggs and everyday flock enjoyment.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by egg color, temperament, size, and flock goals.
Breed History and Preservation
Cherry Eggers™ are not an old standardized breed with a separate American Poultry Association history. They come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, with darker red birds chosen for this Cackle Hatchery® strain.
That makes them different from a heritage breed preservation bird. Their value is practical: color, eggs, temperament, and backyard usefulness.
The Rhode Island Red background still matters, though. Rhode Island Reds have a long American history as brown egg layers and dual-purpose farm birds. Cherry Eggers™ carry that red-layer influence in a production-focused form.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association does not recognize Cherry Eggers™ as a separate standard breed. They are best understood as a production strain selected from Rhode Island Red-type stock.
You can choose Cherry Egger™ chicks when they are in season. If you prefer hatching your own, Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available at limited times of the year.
Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Cherry Eggers™, you may also want to compare Rhode Island Red chickens, Production Red chickens, New Hampshire chickens, and other brown egg laying chickens.
For new flock owners, read Baby Chick Care Instructions and Tips for Caring for Your Baby Chickens. These resources are useful before your chicks arrive and during the first few weeks of brooding.
For broader flock planning, browse baby chicks for sale, hatching eggs for sale, and the Chicken Breed Selector.
FAQ: Cherry Egger™ Chicken
What is a Cherry Egger™ chicken?
A Cherry Egger™ chicken is a dark red production chicken selected from Rhode Island Red-type breeding. It is known for large brown eggs, dark cherry-red feathering, and backyard usefulness.
Are Cherry Eggers™ the same as Rhode Island Reds?
Not exactly. Cherry Eggers™ come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, but they are chosen for darker red coloring and practical egg production. If you want the traditional recognized breed, compare Rhode Island Reds.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good egg layers?
Yes. These hens are good production layers of large brown eggs. Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and overall care.
What color eggs do Cherry Eggers™ lay?
They lay brown eggs, usually large in size.
What do Cherry Eggers™ look like?
They have dark cherry-red feathering. Hens are attractive red birds with a practical production build.
Are Cherry Eggers™ friendly?
They are generally docile and can make good hen house chickens or backyard flock birds. As always, temperament can vary by individual bird and handling.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good for kids?
Yes, they can be a good choice for family flocks when children learn safe, gentle poultry handling. Adult supervision still matters around all chickens, especially roosters.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good for beginners?
Yes. They can work well for beginners who want a practical brown egg layer. Like all chickens, they need clean water, balanced feed, dry housing, predator protection, and enough space.
Are Cherry Eggers™ cold hardy?
They can do well in winter when you provide a dry coop, good ventilation, and a windbreak. Keeping the coop dry matters more than making it airtight.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good backyard chickens?
Yes. They make a good choice for backyard egg flocks because they lay large brown eggs, have a useful temperament, and bring a rich red color to the yard.
Are Cherry Eggers™ a heritage breed?
No. They are a production strain selected from Rhode Island Red-type birds, not a separate APA-recognized heritage breed.
Do Cherry Eggers™ breed true?
Because this is a selected production strain rather than a separate standard breed, later generations may not match the original selection as consistently as a recognized pure breed.
Can I order Cherry Egger™ hatching eggs?
Yes. Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Hatchability can vary with shipping, weather, handling, and incubation.
Where can I find chick care information?
Read Cackle Hatchery’s Baby Chick Care Instructions before your chicks arrive. It covers brooder heat, feed, water, litter, and first-day care.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
haileymullen20 –
We ordered 8 cherry eggers and have one that lays the dark red/ brown color the rest lay normal brown eggs. For this breed to be special because of the eggs they lay I’m not seeing it
Loving my chicks –
Love my chicks
My chicks 3 weeks old. They are very curious chicks and not afraid to explore. They will try what their older chick sister does. ordered 3 but Cackle gave me 4 in case 1 died but all got to me healthy. All still healthy and loving the hot spring weather.
Rex –
Great eggs from Cherry Eggers
I have had my Cherry Eggers for nearly 26 weeks and every chick are alive and doing well. They are easy to raise so beginners and children can raise Cherry Eggers. There is a reason why these chickens are called Cherry Eggers. The only way you can find out why is to try them for yourself. Cackle hatchery has the best and healthiest chickens I have ever received.
Broke ass ranch, colorado –
great layers
love the large eggs. very curious birds. Mix will with the other breeds.
School ffa –
Great buy.
I have purchased many chicks from cackle and they are always healthy. I love the deep red of the cherry edgers
Cody –
Waiting to see how they lay
Out of our order of 35 chicks only one was DOA. Theyve been growing very well and healthy. Beautiful deep red coloring. I think we may have a rooster in the group so it will be cool to see how he compares to my RIR in color. We will see how well they lay come February. Hoping to incorporate them into our winter egg program on a larger scale.
Rebecca –
My ladies are young
I order my chicks June 24, 2019 and picked them up a couple days later. I ordered 7 olive eggers, 7 cherry eggers and 7 cinnamon queens. I received 8 of each and all are now beginning to lay beautiful eggs! The eggs are still small but the ladies are all incorporating nicely into my existing stock. I plan to order more birds in March 2020! Thank you!
Talee –
Cherry Eggers
Hardy, docile, and great egg layers
Gigi –
Lovely birds
Very sweet birds and reliable layers. A wonderful addition to my flock
David –
I like them!
The Cherry Eggers are great birds that have done incredibly with laying! While I’ve lost at least one of each breed I’ve ever done, these have ALL stayed alive over the past 9 months I’ve had them! They’re really great birds, and egg laying is quite consistent, as I have put all different breads seperate gor a few days shortly after they turned 6 months old,and they’ve done great!
Teresa –
Great egg layers, cold weather doesn’t seem to bother them!
Love the Cherry Eggers! Cold weather doesn’t slow them down at all!
Cheemrry Eggers –
Will order again for sure.
My Cherry eggers are 3 months old now and doing great. They all arrived healthy and happy and have grown really fast. This was my 3rd order with Cackle Hatchery and will not be my last! I look forward to spring and seeing how well they lay.
Cheery Cherry Supreme –
great choice
I have been purchaseing chicks from Cackle Hatchery for several years. The Cherry Eggers are such a delight. The dark color helps keep them from the eyesight of the hawks that live in our area. Cherry Eggers are easy birds to manage and are prolific layers. They are very good about going up in the evenings and like to forage during the day. Ours have not turned broody at all.
Sheila –
excellent
Beautiful, hardy birds
Betty –
Excellent birds
This is the second order from Cackle. I ordered Cheery Eggers this time rather than Rhode Island Red. They are eight months old, I get 10- 12 eggs a day. They started laying around five months old. The girls are very social, they like to hang around with us when we sit outside in the summer. Their personalities are more pleasant than the RIR. They will probably be my choice of flock from now on
Feather Cutter –
Great layers and foragers.
Received the chicks last May starting laying the last month November 12 Laid almost every day since. I will be ordering more this spring. The Cherry egger are excellent free range forgers and are low maintenance.
MJ –
Excellent layers, friendly
We bought half a dozen of these in Spring 2019. The ladies started laying about 16-19 weeks, are consistent(daily) layers, and are very friendly. We can handle them whenever we want and they love being around people. They are not aggressive like some other red chickens we have had(toward the Easter Eggers). I definitely recommend if you like a steady supply of eggs.
ClaretHammer84 –
A great, active breed!
These little guys have been a wonderful addition to our barnyard flock. They were fast growing, have a very pleasant temperament and have been very proficient layers for us. They have all done extremely well whether it be isolated to preserve the breed or associating with our other numerous breeds we’ve acquired from cackle hatchery over the years. Highly recommended.
Darrell Hamm –
Awesome Service, Beautiful Chicks
I purchased 10 of the Cherry Eggers and 12 of the Austra Whites. All the chicks arrived healthy and chirpy. Let them loose in their brooder and they were as happy as can be. 4 weeks later they are feathered out and have the most beautiful colors to them. I definitely recommend all my friends try cackle hatchery for their needs. They kept going to stores only to have to settle for birds they truly didn’t want. They wasn’t sure how the online ordering would go. My success from Cackle Hatchery Service and care has definitely turned them to looking for the next batch to come from online order at Cackle.
Thanks for your great service.
Ed –
Great Egg Layer
Received the chicks last Feb 15, starting laying the last week August 15 and have yet to stop. Laid almost every day this winter. I am ordering more in a week or so. Chickens are also great free range forgers, very low maintenance. Ed
Barbara, Missouri March 2013 –
Chick Order
Just got our order of chicks and they look wonderful! Thank you for the extra two chicks. I can hardly wait to see what I have. They are drinking and eating and chirping happily in the brooder. Thank you for the great care you give in supplying these nice chicks.
Donna Pennsylvania Aug 2009 –
Pleased Customer
First time I ever ordered chickens. My 40 chickens are doing great! They were born July 1 and growing in leeps and bounds. I will purchase more in the spring. They were very healthy when they arrived. Just wanted you to know how happy I was with them. Keep up the good work.
James, Alabama July 2014 –
Thank You!
Thank you very much. I have used your company for the past 7 years and I have had great results and I let everyone know who you are Thanks once again I really appreciate the email fliers you all send out. Thanks once again
Kimberli California May 2014 –
Thank You
I want to thank you for your assistance and help with turkeys that were sent to us on Monday May 19th. Last week for what ever reason half of our shipment of birds was given to me soaked at the post office. I called your center and a wonderful woman was very helpful and did all that she said and read the pamphlet and followed the direction however it was just to much for those poor turkeys, I gave it my all!. She was so kind to talk with and we do appreciated the second delivery. They are all eating and drinking like champs! We look forward to showing the chickens at the local fair and auctioning the turkeys. I will send pictures from this event!
Nina Missouri July 2011 –
Babies are HERE
Well our babies are here! They arrived safely and are all doing well. Which is why there has been almost no email….