Description
Cinnamon Queen Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Cinnamon Queen™ chicken is a modern hybrid brown egg layer developed for fast growth, early egg production, and rich brown eggs. Cackle Hatchery® developed this production strain through a proprietary hybrid breeding program that uses a straight-combed production-type Rhode Island Red male and a straight-combed production-type Rhode Island White female.
Unlike a standard heritage breed, this bird is a first-generation sex-link hybrid. That means customers can identify males and females by chick color in the first generation. Cockerel chicks hatch mostly white, while pullet chicks hatch with a brownish-red color. Because of this helpful trait, many customers choose these chicks when they want more confidence in ordering future laying hens.
Cackle Hatchery® offers Cinnamon Queen™ chicks for sale as a high-demand production layer for farm use, backyard egg baskets, and customers who want large brown eggs from an efficient flock. Cackle also notes that these birds perform very close to the ISA Brown™ bloodline.
Appearance and Characteristics
Cinnamon Queen™ chicks show clear color differences in the first generation. Male chicks hatch white, while female chicks hatch a brownish-red color. This color-sexable trait helps customers identify pullets early, which is one reason sex-link hybrids remain popular with backyard keepers and small farms.
As they grow, hens develop a mix of brownish and white feathers. Adult roosters can vary more in color, ranging from mostly white to white with light or dark red shoulder feathers. Most birds have yellow legs, although a few may show some greenish leg color.
Because this is a hybrid strain, the first generation gives customers the color-sexable results described above. However, chicks hatched from second-generation matings will not breed true. They will not remain reliably color sexable, and they may hatch in multiple feather colors.
Cinnamon Queen™ vs ISA Brown™: How They Compare
Cinnamon Queen™ chickens and ISA Brown™ chickens both belong to the general category of modern production brown egg layers. Both types focus on early maturity, efficient laying, and large brown eggs.
Cackle Hatchery® notes that its Cinnamon Queen™ strain will look and perform very close to the ISA Brown™ bloodline. However, Cackle’s strain comes from its own proprietary breeding program, using production-type Rhode Island Red males over production-type Rhode Island White females.
Choose these Cackle-developed hybrids if you want a color-sexable first-generation chick, fast body development, early egg production, and large to extra-large brown eggs. On the other hand, choose a standard heritage breed if you want birds that breed more predictably generation after generation.
Sex Link vs Autosex: What Customers Should Know
These chickens are sex-link hybrids, not an autosexing breed. That difference matters.
A sex-link chicken comes from a planned first-generation cross. In that first generation, male and female chicks hatch in different colors or patterns. However, the trait does not continue reliably when those birds reproduce. Cackle Hatchery® explains this difference in its guide to sex link or autosex chickens.
By contrast, an autosexing breed can pass its sex-linked color traits from one generation to the next when bred correctly. Therefore, customers should not expect second-generation Cinnamon Queen™ chicks to hatch with the same clear color-sexing pattern.
For more background, Cackle’s article on 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens explains that sex-link chickens result from a first-generation cross and often show vigor and hardiness.
Egg Production and Utility
This production strain focuses on brown egg laying. Hens mature earlier than many standard heritage breeds and produce large to extra-large brown eggs. As a result, many customers choose these hybrids when egg production matters more than exhibition traits or long-term breed preservation.
Cackle Hatchery® describes the Cinnamon Queen™ as a great layer of large brown eggs and notes that hens may start laying around 4 months old. Actual egg production can vary with age, daylight, feed quality, housing, weather, and overall flock management.
These chickens work especially well for farm egg production, backyard egg baskets, and customers who want productive brown egg layers without waiting as long as they might with many heritage breeds.
Cackle Hatchery® also offers Cinnamon Queen™ Fertile Hatching Eggs at limited times of the year. However, customers should remember that hatching eggs from this type of hybrid may not produce chicks with the same predictable color-sexable traits beyond the intended first-generation cross.
Temperament and Suitability
Cinnamon Queen™ chickens are active, practical production birds. Because they grow quickly and start laying early, they suit keepers who want efficient brown egg production from a backyard or farm flock.
These hybrids can work well for backyard coops, homesteads, and small farms when keepers provide enough space, good feed, clean water, ventilation, and predator protection. They can also fit customers who want pullet chicks identified by color at hatch.
However, this strain is not the best choice for customers who want a traditional breed that breeds true over many generations. In that case, a heritage breed such as a Rhode Island Red or Rhode Island White may fit better.
Temperament can vary by individual bird, handling, flock setup, and environment. Even so, many keepers value sex-link layers because they combine practical flock behavior with strong egg-laying performance.
Is the Cinnamon Queen™ Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Cinnamon Queen™ chickens if you want:
A modern hybrid brown egg layer
A first-generation color-sexable chick
A pullet chick that hatches brownish red
A cockerel chick that hatches mostly white
A fast-developing production bird
A hen that starts laying earlier than many heritage breeds
Large to extra-large brown eggs
A practical farm or backyard laying hen
A Cackle Hatchery® proprietary production strain
Overall, this hybrid works best for customers who want strong egg production, early maturity, and sexable day-old chicks. It may not suit customers who want a pure heritage breed, show bird, or flock that breeds true generation after generation.
If you still want to compare options, Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you choose birds by purpose, egg color, appearance, and flock needs.
Breed History and Preservation
The Cinnamon Queen™ is not an old heritage breed. Instead, Cackle Hatchery® developed it as one of its modern production brown egg laying strains. The goal was practical: fast body development, early laying, and large brown eggs with rich shell color.
This hybrid comes from Cackle Hatchery’s proprietary production bloodlines. The parent stock uses a straight-combed Rhode Island Red production-type male and a straight-combed Rhode Island White production-type female. Because of that cross, first-generation chicks show useful color-sexing traits at hatch.
Since this bird is a hybrid, breed preservation works differently than it does with heritage chickens. Customers should not expect second-generation offspring to look, lay, or sex out exactly like first-generation chicks. Therefore, keepers who want predictable Cinnamon Queen™ pullets should order first-generation chicks directly from Cackle Hatchery®.
Recognition and Availability
The Cinnamon Queen™ is a modern hybrid production chicken, not an American Poultry Association standard breed. Because it is a proprietary sex-link hybrid, customers should think of it as a production layer rather than a show or heritage preservation breed.
Cackle Hatchery® offers Cinnamon Queen™ baby chicks and, at limited times of the year, Cinnamon Queen™ Fertile Hatching Eggs. Cackle also offers Cinnamon Queen™ Started Pullets for customers who want older birds closer to laying age.
Availability may vary by hatch date, season, egg numbers, and order timing. Therefore, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping availability.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like these production brown egg layers, you may also want to compare Rhode Island Red chickens, Rhode Island White chickens, Production Red chickens, and other brown egg laying chickens.
For customers learning about sex-linked chicks, Cackle Hatchery’s article on 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens gives helpful background. In addition, the guide to sex link or autosex chickens explains why first-generation sex-link hybrids differ from true autosexing breeds.
For broader flock planning, browse Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Breed Selector, Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart, and baby chicks for sale pages.
FAQ: Cinnamon Queen™ Chicken
What is a Cinnamon Queen™ chicken?
A Cinnamon Queen™ chicken is a modern hybrid brown egg layer developed for fast growth, early maturity, and large to extra-large brown eggs. It is a first-generation sex-link hybrid rather than a standard heritage breed.
Are Cinnamon Queen™ chickens good egg layers?
Yes. These hens are strong brown egg layers. Cackle Hatchery® describes them as great layers of large brown eggs that may start laying around 4 months old. Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed, housing, weather, and flock care.
What color eggs do they lay?
They lay brown eggs, usually large to extra-large in size. This makes them a popular choice for customers who want a productive brown egg flock.
Are Cinnamon Queen™ chicks color sexable?
Yes. First-generation chicks are color sexable. Cockerel chicks hatch mostly white, while pullet chicks hatch more brownish red.
Will second-generation chicks also be color sexable?
No. Second-generation chicks will not remain reliably color sexable. They may hatch in multiple colors because this hybrid does not breed true like a standard breed.
What breeds make a Cinnamon Queen™ chicken?
Cackle Hatchery® uses a proprietary cross involving a straight-combed production-type Rhode Island Red male and a straight-combed production-type Rhode Island White female.
Are Cinnamon Queen™ chickens the same as ISA Browns?
No. They are not the same proprietary strain. However, Cackle Hatchery® notes that its Cinnamon Queen™ strain looks and performs very close to the ISA Brown™ bloodline.
Are these chickens good for beginners?
Yes. These hybrids can work well for beginners who want productive brown egg layers. However, they still need proper housing, clean water, balanced feed, predator protection, ventilation, and enough space.
Are they good for backyard flocks?
Yes. They can fit backyard flocks, homesteads, and small farms, especially when the main goal is brown egg production.
Are they heritage chickens?
No. This is a modern hybrid production chicken, not a heritage breed. Customers who want a heritage breed may want to compare Rhode Island Reds, Rhode Island Whites, or other standard breeds.
Are they good for breeding?
They are not the best choice if you want predictable offspring. Since this is a hybrid, second-generation chicks will not consistently match the first-generation parent stock in color, sex-link traits, or performance.
Are they the same as autosexing chickens?
No. Sex-link hybrids and autosexing breeds are different. Sex-link traits work in the first generation of a planned cross, while autosexing breeds can pass sex-linked traits from generation to generation when bred correctly. Cackle explains this in its guide to sex link or autosex chickens.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer Cinnamon Queen™ Started Pullets?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® offers Cinnamon Queen™ Started Pullets for customers who want older birds closer to laying age.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer fertile hatching eggs?
Yes. At limited times of the year, Cackle Hatchery® offers Cinnamon Queen™ Fertile Hatching Eggs. Customers should remember that hybrid offspring may not breed true beyond the intended first-generation cross.
Where can I check chick availability?
You can check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping availability. Availability can change by season, hatch date, egg numbers, and order timing.
Terry Jones –
I’ve waited to post this review because I wanted to wait until they started laying. I wasn’t happy with the shipment. I purchased 25 mixed sex, 27 were received, with 1 dead. Another died shortly after getting them home so still with 25. After introducing them to water and chick feed most started drinking and eating right away. However, over the next several hours a few were not eating or drinking. They would take water when beaks were dipped but nothing else. Lost 6 more over the course of they day which I did receive credit for. No big deal as this can be expected but the lose of 6 was excessive in my opinion. My biggest issue is the hens didn’t start laying until 7 months old. They are now 8 months old and the eggs have not gotten much bigger from the day they started laying. Very disappointed in this cross breed.
Dan Shelden –
Just starting to lay. About 50 percent all pullet eggs. Strong healthy confident friendly birds.
chasebrooks –
These are the best breed we have at our farm. They are very docile and one of them has become my wife’s best friend. Couldn’t be happier. Get some!
jldeckervt –
I have ordered Cinnamon Queens 3 different years. This past batch has been the worst. They are 27 weeks old and none of them have started laying. My sister in law also ordered some a few weeks before me – zero eggs!! We have tried EVERYTHING!!
Very disappointing!!
jldeckervt –
I have ordered Cinnamon Queens 3 different years. This past batch has been the worst. They are 27 weeks old and nave by started laying. My sister in law also ordered some a few weeks before me – zero eggs!!
Very disappointing!!
Bruthabuz –
My wife and I ordered 10 of these Cinnamon Queens last November and were notified on 2/15 that our order of 35 total chicks had shipped to us in California. Two days later, the USPS called to let us know we could pick them up. We actually received 39 chicks, all of them in eggsellent shape! We can’t wait for them to start laying eggs, for us and our friends! Thank you, Cackle Hatchery!
Timothy Suthard –
Healthy and active. Started laying at about 4 months.
John D. –
Excellent
I got 6 ladies. They are excellent foragers, good egg layers and very friendly. All winter they gave me no less than 3 eggs a day, and now with the spring getting here I get 5 to 6 eggs every day.
Ashley from Maine –
Excellent chicks!!
Received four cinnamons in my mixed order and boy do they look healthy. Alert, active, happy looking chicks. First time ordering and I will never buy from the feed store again!
John New Mexico –
Great chickens and service
Last March I received my order of 11 cinnamon queen and 11 golden comets with one extra. I am very satisfied with the chickens and service. Highly recommend ordering from and will order again in the future. All arrived alive and all are still alive and laying excellent brown eggs.
Ms Rose –
Lovely early egg layer
Wow- Getting chicks in the mail- that was fun. I picked chicks that were easy to sex. I have three of these lovely ladies who are big and strong and they started laying early. I named them after the cereal- you guessed it “Cinnamon” Toast” and “Crunch”. Not the cuddliest of the bunch but always curious what I’m doing…
BroKen –
Great layers
I have had chickens for over 50 years and these are the best laying, friendliest chickens that I have ever had.
Jessica C –
Thanks
We are first-time chicken keepers and ordered 15 chicks from Cackle. Eighteen healthy chicks arrived, though one died a month later from malnutrition from a beak deformity. We loved that we were able to order five different breeds, all of which are as described– cold hardy, friendly, and very healthy. They are now five months old and were very chipper when we released them into the yard this morning while it was 18 degrees out. Our friendliest birds are the Speckled Sussex, followed by Buff Orpington, Cinnamon Queen, Easter Egger and Black Laced Red Wyandotte.
Cory Q –
Thanks
We ordered 8 cinnamon queen hens and 8 barred rock hens, we received 9 of each all alive on arrival and are still thriving now at 6 weeks old. I couldn’t be happier with the chicks.
Jeff in Houston –
Hard to pick favorites when there all great chickens!
My wife and I have bought Cinnamon Queens from Cackle the last several years. They are always the best layers and friendliest hens of our mixed flock of 130+
McKnight Family –
Reliable Layers
These girls are great in the garden: scratching out the harmful worms and bugs. Great layers of large, brown eggs.
Antyson –
aggressive healthy and vigorus
recieved poults 9 hours ago, all were healthy and carton was picked clean setup 45″ pool for nursery w/2 28 space feeders and 3 3l water stations for50+ chicks had to teach several to drink water byt all have doubled in weight in less than ten hours and are exremely active and voracious i can see these pullets laying by 19 0r 20 weeks!
thanx cackle
Michael –
Pleasure from the start
Your site is very informative and user friendly. The stuff a pleasure to talk to, as you promised, you shipped on the 22nd arrived on the 23rd, (hope I don’t get anybody in trouble but Thank You for the extra chick) All were lively and well, instructions were excellent, Thanks again My first order Not last.
Cindy –
Great Experience – I am a returning customer
Dealing with you guys has been great. I ordered chicks in 2017 and again in 2018. 100% accurate sexing, 100% survival, 100% laying within 5 months. I love these Cinnamon Queens! Great backyard birds and fantastic egg layers. Your staff is very friendly and helpful. Thanks so much!!!
Dan –
Thanks
Got our girls today all see very healthy and eager to eat and drink! Thanks for sending them with care, you folks are the best!
Bonnie –
Thank You Cackle Hatchery
Hi, as a first time orderer from Cackle Hatchery I wanted to take a minute and let you know how pleased with your service I have been. I ordered small order city/town chick offer and they arrived happy and healthy and on time. With an extra chick to spare!! Also ordered a small order of Guineas, hatchery choice, with a special request that I wasn’t sure you would be able to do but you came through!! As a first time customer i can’t tell you how impressed I have been with your attention to detail and care with shipping. All chicks/keets arrived happy and healthy, eating, drinking and ready to go. So want to say a big Thank You. I will be highly recommending you to anyone who wants a dependable source for poultry.
gene –
quality chicks
on 2-5-18 i got 11 cinnamon queens,i ordered 10,all off them lived,and doing great.I would not order from any where else.My son said the feed store had chicks i just smiled and said i know.The last time i bought from a feed store i lost about 7%,and the chicks were not the same quality as cackles chicks.
Ginger –
60 Dozen eggs
Our Cinnamon Queen’s are 8 months old this week. 10 hens have produced over 60 dozen eggs in the 4 months they have been laying!
Larry Kenimer GA 2014 –
To the Good People of Cackle:
I received my order of Cinnamom Queens chicks this morning…one day late due to the huge ice storm in the south. (three days instead of two). I fully expected the worse, but when I opened the box I found all the chicks alive and well. Thanks to your expert packaging for winter shipments, the chicks were up quickly drinking their sugar water and pecking at the feed I had scattered on the brooder floor. In the past, I have received late orders from other firms that did not fair so nicely. You are to be commended for your SERVICE. Thanks and I will order again!
Charlotte –
Cinnamon Queens and Wyandotts
Have had my babies for 10 weeks now and what a joy.
We just put the outside for the 1st time and they ae doing nicely. I recommend ordering from the Cackle Hatchery.
donbobh –
Early layers
I ordered cinnamon queens that arrived May 5. They are now laying like crazy -it is only mid September! Hadn’t expected eggs until around November. Great Birds. Love your quality and care.
Amy –
Thanks
Thank you for the McQueen’s you sent they are doing great and growing .they are loving outside and they are with other chickens that’s bigger and protective of them I am very happy to order from you and plan on more from you in spring time.
yoyo –
insane layers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got these birds over a year ago. they made me some money and fun. they layed great from day one, but now they are starting to need a molt. for 30 chickens they were insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn’t lose one as a chick! thanks a lot!
Nick –
Eggslent little chicks!
I drove down to the hatchery to pick up the chicks, to our dismay they were closed due to being short staffed that day, but left a number to call if you came from out of town. We called it and was greeted at the door by a great staff member, we ended up leaving with two cinnamon queens, a speckled Sussex and a buckeye. All chicks are doing great and can’t wait to see them grow up! This place is amazing, I’m glad I made the trip down to get these little chicks from them.
cje –
very happy
we ordered 7 cinnamon chicks and they arrived all alive. They are now 4 week old and doing very well. Plus they gave us 1 extra. Looking forward to get more chicks .
NCOF –
Super positive
Our birds arrived ahead of schedule, in great shape, and clearly labeled. The difference between having all expectations met and a hatchery that falls down in one or two areas is enormous. This was our first experience with Cackle Hatchery and I’ll definitely order from them again. I never write these things but couldn’t help myself in this case.
Amazing chicks! –
Exactly what was expected.
These babies were ready to go as soon as I got them home. Although my order was messed up due to a misunderstanding on numbers, I’m still very happy with my order. These chicks will be a month old this week and are doing an amazing job! Not a single death and everyone is growing like weeds! They have started putting out pin feathers, so they look like your typical teenager lol. Even though they seem to be a bit flighty I have not been pecked even once by them. The rooster is already very protective of his girls!
By far, the best choice of hatchery and of chicks!
Erica J. –
Great experience
Purchased 15 chicks–speckled sussex, easter egger, cinnamon queen, buff orpington and dark brahmas. I was sent two extra–buff orpington and easter egger. All chicks arrived super healthy and on time. It was a great experience with Cackle Hatchery from start to finish, and I’m so pleased since this was my very first experience purchasing chicks.
Susan –
Excellent service andpacking
Arrived on time and alive and healthy. Drinking and picking at starter right away. Thanks for the great packing as Feb in New York State is cold.
s –
Great service, super condition, friendly chicks
Crackle..for the second year chicks arrived on time, alive and active. Ordered variety with cinnamon queen as one. All are friendly. Will be ordering again
Casie Virginia 2016 –
Hi
I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. When I grow up Im going to buy around 600 chickens. I have 2 chickens now. They are Cinnamon Queens. I feed them scraps corn and laying mash. I named them Mrs Pickles and Fluffington. There both very tame.
DOBRO_HARP –
great birds
LOVE these birds as far as laying. They are aggressive to the EEs tho and two of my fathers EEs had to be isolated from them, they had them down almost Killed overnight. BUT they come running and seem to love us humans (could have to do with the treats LOL
Julie Missouri Aug 2015 –
Thank You
Thank you for our order of chicks, as always they came fine and healthy. We appreciate all your advise and kindness.
Michelle Georgia June 2009 –
Hello Folks
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for such awesome chicks! These little girls are so healthy and active! This was our first time ordering from you, and were truly impressed with how energetic these girls were right from arrival! Awesome job guys these girls are the best chicks we’ve ever gotten!
Tony Kentucky July 2009 –
Cackle Hatchery
Received my recent order of Cinnamon Queens yesterday. 17 of them all in good shape; thanks for your honest business dealing you are an asset to people.
Edna Missouri Unknown 2009 –
Cackle Hatchery
I just want to tell you how happy and proud I am of the 26 pullets I ordered from you July 08. They laid 3 eggs Oct 24 from then on its been go go go. At this time I still have all 26 and their total eggs laid since Oct 24 is 9065. Now if thats not a record I don’t know what would be.
Gina, California July 2012 –
prize winning chickens
We ordered 40 from you for our first time project. We just took 2 sets of meat pens to the fair and received supreme champion and reserve champion. Not bad for our first time. The judge said they were so nice they could go to the state fair. They received 80.00 for each pen. Not toooo bad. Just wanted to let you know how impressed we are with your Cornish Cross chickens and we will order again.
Alan, Arkansas March 2012 –
Cackle
I placed an order Monday for 15 Cinnamon Queens pullets. It arrived today, as promised, appear to be healthy birds thus far and I’m very pleased to do business with you guys! Great Job! Thank You!
Charles, California February 2013 –
Cackle Hatchery
I received my order on the morning of Feb 6 and it was right on time. The chicks arrived very active and healthy. They are beautiful. i am impressed with your promptness and your attention to detail. I will definitely order from you again. Thank you very much.
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.
Elizabeth Maine March 2014 –
Thanks!
I want to tell you how much I like the qualities of your birds and their eggs. I hope that I will have many more amazing years with your chickens! THANK YOU!
Rick Missouri July 2010 –
Attn: Customer Service
I would like to thank everyone at Cackle hatchery for the service I received from the first time I called and had a ton of questions until today when i received my chick’s. The customer service staff was very polite and if the answer wasn’t known they asked someone and gave me the answer. Upon arrival of my chicks today I was very pleased in the condition and health of your birds…I ordered 235 chicks and after counting them I received 244 (9) extra birds just in case of any of any of the birds dying in shipment. I am proud to say only 2 of the birds out of 244 were dead on arrival. I feel that is a good ration and again want to thank everyone at Cackle for a job well done and I will be proud to recommend you hatchery to anyone. Thank you!
Denny Arkansas April 2015 –
Thanks
I would like to say I am happier with the chickens i got from your Hatchery than any others I have raised, I have kept chickens for the last 25 years and this flock is the best. They are docile and right now I am getting 18-20 eggs per day from 24 hens. You can bet when I recycle these girls I will be ordering from you again. Once again Thanks.
Robert Maine May 2011 –
Cackle Hatchery
Thank you so much for the wonderful chicks. They are all so kind. Some of them even will jump into my lap when I make a clicking noise. It is looking good for our chickens. Thank you.
Larry Georgia February 2014 –
Testimonial
To the good people of Cackle:I received my order of Cinnamon Queen chicks this morning….one day late due to the huge ice storm in the south. I fully expected the worse, but when I opened the box I found all the chicks alive and well. Thank to your expert packaging for winter shipment, the chicks were up quickly drinking their sugar water and pecking at the feed I had scattered on the brooder floor. In the past I have received late orders from other firms that did not fair so nicely. You are to be commended for your service. Thanks and I will order again!
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….