Description
Golden Comet Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Golden Comet chicken is a modern hybrid layer built for one main job: steady brown egg production. If you want a practical flock that starts laying early and fills the egg basket with large brown eggs, this bird is a strong choice.
Cackle Hatchery® produces Golden Comets from a proprietary cross using a Cherry Egger male and a Rhode Island White female. Because of that planned cross, first-generation chicks are color sexable at hatch. Cockerel chicks are mostly white, while pullet chicks are more brownish red. That makes them especially useful if you want to start your flock with future laying hens. Cackle lists this strain as a production egg layer with brown eggs and notes that its breeding farm has developed its Golden Comet bloodline since 1997.
These chickens are not an old heritage breed. Instead, they are a first-generation sex-link hybrid bred for fast body development, early laying, and rich brown egg color.
Appearance and Characteristics
Golden Comet chicks show their sex-linked color difference early. Male chicks hatch mostly white, while female chicks hatch brownish red. As they grow, hens usually develop a mix of brownish and white feathers. Adult roosters can range from mostly white to white with light or darker red feathers on the shoulders.
Most birds have yellow legs, although some may show a greenish tint. Feather color can also vary, which is normal for this kind of hybrid layer.
However, the color-sexable trait only works as expected in the first generation. If you hatch chicks from Golden Comet parents, the next generation will not breed true. Those chicks may come in several colors, and you should not expect the same reliable chick-color sexing.
Sex Link vs Autosex: What Customers Should Know
Golden Comets are sex-link hybrids, not autosexing chickens. That difference matters if you plan to hatch chicks later.
A sex-link chicken comes from a planned first-generation cross. In that first generation, males and females hatch in different colors or patterns. Cackle explains that hybrid chicks sexed by down or feather color are called sex-links, and it lists Golden Comets and Cinnamon Queens as examples. The same article notes that sex-link gender accuracy is typically 99 to 100 percent.
Autosexing breeds work differently. With true autosexing breeds, the chick-color differences can continue from generation to generation when breeders maintain the line correctly. Since Golden Comets are hybrids, you should order first-generation chicks from Cackle Hatchery® if you want the reliable color-sexable trait.
For more background, Cackle’s article on 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens explains that sex-link chickens come from a first-generation cross and often show vigor and hardiness.
Egg Production and Utility
Golden Comets are all about eggs. These hens start laying younger than many standard breeds and produce large to extra-large brown eggs. If your main goal is a productive backyard or farm egg flock, this strain deserves a close look.
Cackle Hatchery® lists Golden Comets as production egg layers with brown eggs and estimates production at about 250–320 eggs per year. Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and overall care.
Because they are hybrid layers, Golden Comets often outperform many pure breeds in egg production. Cackle’s article on large egg layers notes that hybrids such as Golden Comets, Cinnamon Queens, Black Sex Links, Red Sex Links, and Production Reds were developed specifically for egg production and often lay better than pure breeds.
This makes them a good fit for customers who care more about egg output than exhibition traits or breeding true.
Temperament and Suitability
Golden Comets are active, useful flock birds. They work well for backyard coops, farm egg production, homesteads, and families who want steady brown eggs without waiting as long as they might with many heritage breeds.
Because they are production layers, they do best with good feed, clean water, enough space, and steady care. They can fit a backyard setup nicely, but they still need proper housing, predator protection, shade in hot weather, and ventilation in the coop.
If you want a pure breed for long-term breeding, this is not the best match. However, if you want friendly, practical hens that get to work early, Golden Comets are easy to appreciate.
Temperament can vary from bird to bird. Even so, many keepers like sex-link layers because they combine practical flock behavior with strong egg production.
Is the Golden Comet Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Golden Comets if you want:
A modern hybrid brown egg layer
A first-generation color-sexable chick
Female chicks that hatch brownish red
Male chicks that hatch mostly white
A fast-developing production bird
A hen that starts laying earlier than many standard breeds
Large to extra-large brown eggs
A practical bird for backyard or farm egg production
A Cackle Hatchery® proprietary production strain
Overall, this hybrid is a great fit if you want eggs first. It may not be the right choice if you want a show bird, a heritage preservation breed, or a flock that breeds true generation after generation.
If you are still comparing options, Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort breeds by purpose, appearance, egg color, and flock needs.
Breed History and Preservation
The Golden Comet is a modern production hybrid, not a historic breed. Cackle Hatchery® developed this strain for fast growth, early egg production, and large brown eggs.
The parent stock comes from Cackle’s proprietary breeding program, using a Cherry Egger male and a Rhode Island White female. That cross gives first-generation chicks their useful color-sexable trait. It also gives customers a dependable production layer designed for egg output rather than show standards or long-term breed preservation.
Because this is a hybrid, preservation works differently than it does with a heritage breed. If you hatch second-generation chicks, they will not stay reliably color sexable and may not match the first-generation birds in color, appearance, or performance.
Recognition and Availability
Golden Comets are modern hybrid production chickens, so the American Poultry Association does not recognize them as a standard breed. Cackle lists the poultry show class as not applicable and the APA status as no.
Cackle Hatchery® offers Golden Comet chicks as day-old baby chicks. Availability can vary by hatch date, season, egg numbers, and order timing. Therefore, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options. Cackle notes that its availability chart updates often and may change as egg numbers become more accurate.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Golden Comets, you may also want to compare Cinnamon Queen™ chickens, Production Red chickens, Rhode Island White chickens, and other brown egg laying chickens. Cackle’s brown egg layer category is useful if you are building a flock mainly around egg production.
For customers learning about hybrid layers, Cackle’s article on 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens is a helpful place to start. Also, Cackle’s guide on how to sex a chicken explains how color sexing works in sex-link hybrids such as Golden Comets and Cinnamon Queens.
For broader flock planning, browse Cackle Hatchery’s baby chicks for sale, Chicken Breed Selector, and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart.
FAQ: Golden Comet Chicken
What is a Golden Comet chicken?
A Golden Comet chicken is a modern hybrid brown egg layer developed for fast growth, early laying, and large brown eggs. It is a first-generation sex-link hybrid, not a standard heritage breed.
Are Golden Comets good egg layers?
Yes. Golden Comets are strong brown egg layers. Cackle Hatchery® estimates production at about 250–320 eggs per year, though actual laying can vary with age, season, daylight, feed, housing, weather, and care.
What color eggs do they lay?
They lay brown eggs, usually large to extra-large in size. That makes them a good choice for customers who want a productive brown egg flock.
Are Golden Comet chicks color sexable?
Yes. First-generation chicks are color sexable. Male chicks hatch mostly white, while female chicks hatch more brownish red.
Will second-generation chicks also be color sexable?
No. Second-generation chicks will not stay reliably color sexable. They may hatch in multiple colors because this hybrid does not breed true like a standard breed.
What breeds make a Golden Comet chicken?
Cackle Hatchery® uses a proprietary cross involving a Cherry Egger male and a Rhode Island White female.
Are Golden Comets the same as Cinnamon Queens?
No. They are different Cackle Hatchery® production strains. Both are hybrid brown egg layers, but they come from different parent-stock crosses.
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 your main goal is brown egg production.
Are Golden Comets heritage chickens?
No. Golden Comets are modern hybrid production chickens. Customers who want a heritage breed may want to compare Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons, or other standard breeds.
Are they good for breeding?
They are not the best choice if you want predictable offspring. Since Golden Comets are hybrids, second-generation chicks will not consistently match the first-generation parent stock in color, sex-link traits, or production.
Are Golden Comets 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. Autosexing breeds can pass sex-linked traits from generation to generation when breeders maintain them correctly.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer Golden Comet started pullets?
Cackle’s current Golden Comet page shows day-old baby chicks. Customers should check the product page and Availability Chart for current options because availability can change by hatch date and season.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer Golden Comet hatching eggs?
The current Golden Comet product page lists baby chicks. Since hybrid offspring do not breed true, customers who want reliable first-generation Golden Comet chicks should order chicks directly from Cackle Hatchery®.
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.
Dan Shelden –
Very happy with these. Healthy and confident, First to lay of 15 breeds this spring and pleasant for pets.
Bruthabuz –
My wife and I ordered 10 of these Golden Comets 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!
kristenstoverwa –
We love our Golden Comets! We ordered 15, and received 16. One passed away a few hours after getting home, but the rest have acclimated wonderfully. These are very friendly birds. They are very patient with my children, and at six weeks, are happy to kindly perch and climb on us when we enter the coop. Highly recommend this breed!
Kent Savage –
Received the 6 pullets and 2 cockerels from 5/17/2021 hatch date and they arrived healthy, hungry, thirsty and pooping like all healthy little birds should be. And, a bonus extra pullet – thank you! This is my first time using your hatchery and I am impressed with the quality of the chicks and the quick shipping. This morning they were all under the plate brooder quietly chirping. Happy birds! I will add another review once they start laying and/or the boys start crowing as a follow-up.
Angus –
Great Golden Comets
Found this breed a couple yrs ago and they are my favorite along with my Barred Rocks. I now have more comets than rocks. Very hardy bird as I let them roam around each day. We get hit by predators occasionally and the rocks and comets are camouflaged well enough that they survive better than other breeds. Both breeds also lay pretty well in our cold climate. So far no problems at all. Will continue to buy from Cackle.
Lmw1775 –
Healthy and fast-growing
I have ordered from this hatchery before, and been very pleased. My mom and I continue to buy this breed based on personality and performance. I ordered the hens to be vaccinated and probiotics and electrolyte for them which I gave on arrival. All were alive when they arrived, and still no losses over 2 weeks later. This is a great hybrid-we have older hens that still produce and are very calm compared to another breed my mom had given. We both decided to go back to Golden Comets and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you!
Alec –
Fabulous!
These are the best egg laying birds I have ever owned! They lay the biggest brown eggs I have ever seen! The eggs are delicious! Ordered 5 and all 5 arrived alive and healthy! Thank you Cackle!
ARON`S RABBITS AND MORE –
GREAT COSTUMER SERVICE . GREAT BIRDS.
HELLO , WE BEING DOING BUSINESS WITH CACKLE HATCHERY FOR FEW YEARS NOW, , I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM, , IN ALL THE ASPECTS, WE GOT FEW THOUSANDS BIRDS , AND CACKLE HATCHERY , STANDS BEHIND THERE PRODUCT , JEFF THE OWNER , VERY RESPECTFUL . AND TRUSTWORTHY. SO IS THE ENTIRE TEAM…..I AM PLANNING FOR FEW THOUSANDS BIRDS THIS YEAR .2020..
Larson –
Excellent!
Ordered 3 females and received 4 healthy chicks in mid September. They started laying in February at 4.5 months old. They have been consistent layers ever since and I collect 3 to 4 eggs daily. The chickens are friendly and super healthy. Would recommend to anyone!
Marcus –
Thank You
Just received my order. Very pleased with the packaging. The post master said they get a lot of chicks and ducks there. Yours was the best that she has seen. I gave her your company name. She’ll be recommending you all to the locals. Thank you
JZR –
Sweet Chickens
Received my four golden comets (I ordered three but they sent me an extra one) back in February. All four survived the trip from Missouri to San Antonio, TX and were super cute and healthy. They are all still alive now 4.5 months later and we just got our first egg today. I didn’t realize they laid such large eggs! Dwarfs our four year old leghorn eggs. Also, these chickens are very friendly and great with my kids. So happy we ordered them!
Lloyd –
VERY Pleased
I ordered 5 Golden Comet roosters for cross breeding with some game hens. Was given 7. As of today they are 3 weeks old, very healthy, tall, vigorous and beautiful boys. They are very attentive to my voice and come running when I enter the brooder room. Very well pleased with these Golden Comet. Thanks Cackel Hatchery
CHICKEN LADY –
GOLDEN COMETS
WE HAVE RAISED SEVERAL BREEDS OF CHICKENS AND COMETS LAY SOONER AND LAY LONGER LAY MORE EGGS PER WEEK THAN THE OTHER 4 TYPES OF GROWN EGG LAYERS. WE ARE IN FLORIDA AND THEY DO WELL IN HOT WEATHER VERY EASY TO HANDLE . GET ALONG WITH OTHER CHICKENS BUT DONT TAKE ANY NONSENCE FROM OTHER CHICKENS THEY ARE BY FAR THE BEST CHOISE FOR EGG PRODUCTION .ONLY DOWN SIDE THEY EAT A LOT HUNGRYEST BREED OF CHICKENS WE HAVE
Jan –
Love my goldens
I ordered 18 chicks and received 19, all 19 are over a year old now and laying beautiful brown eggs almost every day, every other day over the winter. Friendly breed. Could not be happier with them.
Anya –
Wonderful!!
I ordered 4 golden comets on July 21 and received them on the 26th (they hatched on the 24th). They arrived in perfect condition and grew up to be wonderful layers!!! We got our first egg on CHRISTMAS (Christmas miracle!)! They started laying at about 5 months old and have been laying consistently (one lays every day!) ever since. They are such sweet mannered hens! Sadly we lost one of them to a hawk, but even then we are getting almost 3 brown eggs every day. They are consistent layers of quality eggs and are by far one of the best breeds (if not the best) and I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Excellent chickens –
Review by Gilbert Kansas December 2017
Here it is December and I was right these Golden Comets started laying nice brown eggs after 4 months and 10 days. these are the best chickens I have ever raised Thank you cackle hatchery. Gilbert from Kansas
Thank You so much –
Out standing chickens
Received my 27 golden comets in July 2017 and they were in prefect health and here it is November 14 and I didn’t lose any they are very friendly and they have grown very fast. I think they will start laying next month. Thank You Cackle Hatchery for the wonderful chickens. review by Gilbert Kansas November 2017
cje –
very happy
we ordered 15 of this chicks and they arrived all alive. NO DEATH. They are now 4 week old and healthy. Plus they gave us 1 extra. Our first time to raise chickens and we ordered here. Very happy. My daughter wants more and we don’t have space.
Tyler –
Great!
My family and I are new chicken owners, so we only ordered three golden comet chicks. They were shipped in a nice little confined box and cackle included a fourth chick as well! I expected that because I read that they may do so incase one doesn’t make it through the shipping process. They all arrived great. The customer service throughout this whole process has been excellent! They answered all my questions I had! Thanks Cackle!
Neil San Diego November 2016 –
Golden Comet Organic Eggs
Received my Golden Comets in late June 2016 and went out to my hen house yesterday and checked for eggs and there were 14 eggs waiting for me. I have 6 golden comets and it is November 14th. Eggs were small. I hope the eggs will get bigger. Thanks Cackle Hatchery, I’m looking forward to many organic eggs from my Golden Comets over the next few years.
Dave –
EXELLENT
Absolutlely fantastic service. Ordered 10 chick deal and received 11. Every chick was extremely healthy and survived. 5 months later they have started laying beautiful brown eggs and we have already gotten one full size extra large egg. Couldn’t be happier.
James Prairie Grove Arkansa –
Good job Cackle Hatchery
Every bird that was shipped to me is now laying beautiful brown eggs. Twenty eight chicks turned into 28 hens. Thank you for such healthy birds.
Hamma –
Excellant Review
Just preparing to make our first order. I am excited for these egg producing girls. A friend of our recommended you & we are looking forward to doing business with you, heard wonderful things about your customer service & products. Also be ordering some Polish, one of my favorite chickens, which sadly a skunk tat got in coop killed 🙁 No skunks, coons or fox can get in there now & my husband built metal doors so no way in their inside coop at night other than pulling cable from outside coop. So no longer do I need to worry & we close up their coops around 8:00 PM daily, all put themselves to bed but a few night owls so I just pick them up & them up, cuddle then set on their inside roost. So so excited to do business with you & will place our order soon!
Cindy –
Excellent
Got two hens last year with five other breeds of hens. I get two identical darker brown eggs that don’t fit well in a large egg carton most days. They have nice dispositions too. Laid all thru our cold weather. I’m really impressed.
david carthage ms. –
complete satisfied
I just recived my golden comet chick 75 all were well 03/18/16
Elizabeth Maine –
Love our new chickens!!
First time with chickens we decided to go with the golden comets for faster maturity and for being friendly as I have kids.. We picked them up this morning at the post office peeping away. Once home and opened the box all healthy adorable chicks very well packed. We watched the hatchery videos on care very helpful! Gave them first drink and they were eating and drinking in seconds. They have such cute personalities one is small and feisty, one is chirpy. We received 16 total. One big girl, she may be the blue ribbon winner! We will see. Can’t wait to watch them grow and produce some good eggs for us. I highly recommend Crackle Hatchery we will definitely be using again. Will be getting broilers! Thanks again for excellent service and quality!
Jackie North Carolina Aug 2015 –
Thank You
Thank you for the wonderful & healthy Golden Girls -shipped 06/15/2015. All are thriving. They are very friendly, smart, amusing, adventurous etc. I call them for one for all & all for one gang. They have names but come to sweeties. Thanks again
Nick December 2015 –
Excellent
Have ordered these twice. All healthy and grew vigorously. Provided brown eggs from each hen at minimum of every other day. Even the cold of winter didn’t stop these hens from laying. Did so well I recommended them to a coworker and she also had amazing results.
Tommy South Carolina March 2012 –
Thank You!
The Golden Comets and Production Red chickens were picked up from the Post Office this AM. I was ready for them with feed/water and warm brooder. After dipping their beaks, all seems well. Have had to add additional food on the new paper towels this PM. Fully realize this is common info for the company, but feel I have some quality birds that will thrive: barring any setbacks of which I now control. Short of them being chilled during transport no problems should arise. THANK YOU!!! for a quality product and the professional way I was treated when placing my order.
Angie Indiana March 2012 –
Chicks
I just wanted to say thank you for a delivery of very healthy and beautiful chicks! This is the second time we have ordered from your company and the second time we have been very pleased with the babies!! I would have ordered. Thank you again-we will be ordering from you in the future I am sure!
Danny, Alabama February 2013 –
Baby Chicks
Received my order of Golden Comets this morning. They are all healthy and drinking and eating just out of the shipping container. Thanks so much for the quality of the baby chicks. Your service is second to none. In the event I need anything else in the future you will be the first place I shop. Thanks also for the three extra chicks that were added to the 15 chick order. You will be recommended highly from me to anyone.
Joe North Carolina June 2013 –
Thanks!
Just wanted to say thank you. Y’all shipped out my order this past Monday and I was able to pick the chicks, poults and goslings up at the post office Tuesday before noon- a full day earlier than expected! Everyone was happy and healthy and all have been thriving this week. I’ve always bought chickens locally and was skeptical going about ordering poultry through the mail, but it seemed that was the only way to go given that’s wanted some goslings and poults and it was late in the year, Well, I am very happy to say that all of my concerns were for nothing. I could not be more pleased with your customer service department, the health of our new flock and the entire Cackle “family” that play a part. I’ll definitely be a repeat customer. Thank again for everything from a grateful dad and an exceptionally excited 6 year old daughter. All the best
Tyler North Carolina March 2010 –
Today’s Chicks
Hi There! Got the diddles this morning and they are all live chirping and happy. Fast turn around, fast shipping and healthy chicks…good business. Thank You!
David New York May 2010 –
Cackle Hatchery
I love this hatchery! It is cheap while reasonable and my birds from them get the best comments. Your video has been viewed more than a thousand times and has given a five star rating by voters. I just wanted to pass this along.
Jon & Jennina New York April 2015 –
Thank You!
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that we are very pleased with our order. This is the best batch of chicks we have gotten so far. We did lose one in shipment, which was sad, but the rest recovered very nicely from their journey to us and are doing great.
Jeremy & Jaclyn Kansas June 2011 –
Cackle Hatchery
Thank you for the timely delivery of our 25 new chicks. We ordered them Tuesday, shipped Wednesday and we received them today. They are all healthy and alive and are full of life and vigor. You will received our continued support. Thanks Again,