The Cinnamon Queen chicken is a good pick for those craving the diverse benefits of a backyard flock. This hybrid breed has a harmonious combination of egg-laying prowess, enthusiastic personality, and hardiness, making it very popular among both novice and experienced poultry owners. In this guide, we’ll explore the Cinnamon Queen chicken in detail, including information about its origins, characteristics and care requirements, as well as the benefits of keeping this interesting breed.
Introduction to Cinnamon Queen Chickens
Cinnamon Queen chickens, which are a fairly new breed circa 1990s, are a cross between the Rhode Island Red and the Rhode Island White, which both had excellent qualities so they cross-bred the two and came up with this striking chicken. They known for laying lots of eggs, as well being a friendly nature. He said Cinnamon Queens are a perfect backyard chicken.
Origins and History
Bred to be a highly productive, low-maintenance egg layer, the Cinnamon Queen Chicken is the result of crossing the Rhode Island Red, whose excellent egg-production is legendary, with the Rhode Island White, which has a fast growth rate and is hardy in cold, wet climates. The resulting hybrid was so popular with poultry-keepers that it’s now one of the most common breeds out there.
Physical Characteristics
Cinnamon Queen chickens are medium to large birds with distinct physical features:
- Color: Hens have cinnamon-colored plumage, while roosters are primarily white with cinnamon-colored saddle feathers.
- Size: Hens typically weigh around 5.5 pounds, and roosters weigh about 7.5 pounds.
- Comb and Wattles: They have a red comb, wattles, and earlobes.
- Beak and Legs: Their beak and legs are yellow.
- Autosexing: Cinnamon Queens can be autosexed at hatch, meaning that they have a guarantee of gender. Male chicks are white and female chicks are a brownish cinnamon colour.
Personality and Temperament
Generally gentle, Cinnamon Queen chickens are very docile and friendly. They are excellent with children and with each other, so think about neighbouring birds in your flock. These docile birds have the following personality quirks:
- Docile: They are not aggressive and tend to be lower on the pecking order.
- Sociable: They enjoy the company of people and other chickens.
- Curious: These chickens are curious and love to explore their surroundings.
- Quiet: They are relatively quiet, making them suitable for urban and suburban settings.
Egg Production
Perhaps the top reason to get Cinnamon Queen chickens for your flock is their egg production habit: 300 eggs per year. Here are some details:
- Egg Color: They lay large brown eggs.
- Egg Production: You can expect around 250-300 eggs per year from each hen.
- Early Layers: Cinnamon Queens start laying eggs as early as 16 weeks of age.
- Consistency: They maintain consistent egg production throughout the year, even in winter.
Care and Maintenance
Cinnamon Queen chickens are reasonably easy to care for, and good beginner birds. Here’s how you can look after yours.
Housing
- Space: Provide at least 20 square feet of space per hen in the coop.
- Nesting Boxes: Provide hens with enough nesting boxes so that they have a comfortable place to lay their eggs.
- Ventilation: Good ventilation is crucial to prevent respiratory issues.
- Protection: Secure the coop to protect the chickens from predators.
Feeding
- Diet: A balanced diet with 16% protein is essential for maintaining egg production.
- Supplements: Provide calcium supplements, such as crushed oyster shells, to ensure strong eggshells.
- Food: Provide a balanced diet with foods such as mealworms, sunflower seeds and leafy greens.
Health Care
- Regular Check-ups: Monitor your chickens for signs of illness and provide regular health check-ups.
- Vaccinations: Ensure they are vaccinated against common poultry diseases.
- Cleanliness: Keep the coop clean to prevent the spread of diseases.
Health Considerations
Now while Cinnamon Queen chickens are generally robust and healthy, there are some health considerations for keeping the chickens in good health:
- Reproductive Issues: High egg production can sometimes lead to reproductive tract issues.
- Predator Awareness: They are not particularly predator-wary, so ensure their environment is secure.
- Diet: Poor-quality food can harm their digestive tract, so provide a balanced diet.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High Egg Production: Consistently lays a large number of eggs.
- Friendly Nature: Great with children and other chickens.
- Hardy: Can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners.
Cons
- Not Purebred: Not suitable for poultry shows.
- Reproductive Issues: High egg production can lead to health problems.
- Predator Vulnerability: Not very alert to predators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Cinnamon Queen chickens live?
With proper care, they can live between 5-10 years.
Are Cinnamon Queen chickens good for meat?
They lay eggs primarily, they can be meat birds, not as solid as some others.
Do Cinnamon Queen chickens go broody?
They are nonbroody, so they are less likely to go broody, which means they are less likely to sit on eggs.
Can Cinnamon Queen chickens be kept in urban areas?
Into the city. Yes. They’re very quiet, you know. They can be in a house in the city. Houses in the suburbs are very popular.
Conclusion
With their high egg production, gentle, easy-to-handle ways, and rugged constitution to boot, Cinnamon Queen chickens are great birds to add to a backyard flock. Cinnamon Queen chickens are the perfect bird for someone just starting out raising poultry, but they will also make an excellent addition to a more seasoned flock. Whether you’re looking to ‘cheat’ your way to increased egg production or you want to add a friendly, low-maintenance bird to your flock, Cinnamon Queen chickens are a great breed to consider.
