Cinnamon Queen Chicken Breed Guide

A popular crossbreed, Cinnamon Queen chickens are a dual-purpose bird with a docile personality and cold hardiness. As America’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, Tractor Supply helps chicken keepers like you enjoy Life Out Here with what you need to know about poultry breeds. 

History of Cinnamon Queen Chickens

A relatively new breed, Cinnamon Queens don’t have an extensive history. Breeders developed them by mating Rhode Island Red roosters with Silver Laced Wyandotte hens. Sometimes, breeders use Rhode Island White hens instead of Silver Laced Wyandottes. This crossbreeding gives Cinnamon Queens the desirable traits of these breeds, such as egg-laying abilities and fast growth. The unique name Cinnamon Queen suggests some of its defining traits. These hybrid chickens have eye-catching cinnamon feathers and are the “queens” of egg-laying. 

Temperament and Good-to-Knows

When starting your flock, you want versatile chickens that support your overall goals. Cinnamon Queens make a great choice for their docile, friendly personality. Learn more about this breed’s temperament and other key aspects: 

• Docile demeanor: A calm personality makes Cinnamon Queens easier to manage, ideal for those new to raising chickens. 
• Highly social birds: Cinnamon Queens like interacting with humans and chickens and are kid-friendly. Cinnamon Queens may be best if you want to introduce new chickens to your flock because they’re less likely to stir up trouble. What’s more, their calmness can also help alleviate stress among the entire flock.
• Active foragers: A natural foraging instinct makes Cinnamon Queens great at finding food themselves. Foraging not only keeps these birds active but can also help save time and money on feeding and flock management.
• Great for urban keepers: Despite being very social, Cinnamon Queens are less vocal than other breeds. Urban keepers with backyard flocks will appreciate this as it helps avoid potential problems with neighbors.
• Hardiness in different environments: One of the main reasons Cinnamon Queens are so popular is their tolerance in hot and cold climates. They can regulate their body heat well, and their molting patterns provide consistent insulation all year.

Visual and Egg Characteristics

As a hybrid breed, Cinnamon Queen chickens aren’t recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) and have no official standards. In other words, don’t expect to enter them for exhibition. However, this doesn’t mean Cinnamon Queens are without distinct characteristics. Discover the physical traits and egg-laying capabilities that make this breed stand out. 

Physical Characteristics of Cinnamon Queens 

It’s in the name – Cinnamon Queens have brown feathers with cinnamon-red and white patterns that make them visually appealing. Coloring on chicks differs between generations. The first generation of Cinnamon Queens are color-sexable. Female chicks hatch bright red, and males hatch white. They retain these colors into adulthood, with some females developing white feathers and some males sporting red feathers. 

Inherited physical characteristics become less consistent with second-generation Cinnamon Queens. Mating two Cinnamon Queens won’t produce a color-sexable outcome; the offspring won’t even be a Cinnamon Queen. So, color patterns vary.

Cinnamon Queens have average-sized red combs and wattles, plus yellow legs not covered in feathers. They have compact, heavy bodies, with hens weighing between 4.5 and 5.5 pounds and roosters weighing 7.5 to 8 pounds. 

Cinnamon Queen Egg Production 

As the “queen” of egg laying, it’s no wonder Cinnamon Queens produce a high number of eggs each year. They lay between 250-300 eggs annually, about five to six per week. Whereas most chicken breeds start laying eggs in the 18^thor 20^th week, Cinnamon Queens start laying in the 16^th week.

Cinnamon Queens lay large, brown eggs and are hardy to produce during winter. If you want a consistent supply of chicken eggs all year, this is your breed.

Health and Care

One downside of Cinnamon Queens is that they have a shorter lifespan on average than other breeds, at three to five years. With proper care and maintenance, you can protect the longevity of your chickens. Luckily, Cinnamon Queens are relatively low-maintenance birds. Follow these care tips: 

Diet 

Cinnamon Queens like to forage and may be able to survive on what they forage alone. However, providing these chickens with quality poultry feed can prevent problems with egg production. Ideally, Cinnamon Queens should consume 16% protein daily to support healthy egg production. Consider supplementing feed with mealworms to increase protein and treats like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and leafy green vegetables to ensure your chickens get the necessary nutrients. 

Housing 

Cinnamon Queens don’t have special housing accommodations. As with other breeds, a safe and spacious coop and pen is what they need to stay secure. Cinnamon Queens are large, so provide extra space for each chicken. The recommended space is 20 square feet for each hen in the coop. Coops also need nesting boxes, roosting bars, comfortable bedding and adequate ventilation – staples of any coop. 

Although they lay eggs all year, Cinnamon Queen hens tend to lay fewer as it gets colder. To keep egg production consistent, put a skylight in the coop. This provides warmth and insulation, which can boost egg production. 

Health Considerations 

In addition to withstanding different climates, Cinnamon Queens are hardy because they’re less likely to experience common diseases that affect chickens. Where this breed may have health problems is with egg laying. Their reproductive systems are subjected to more stress than those of other hens. 

Cinnamon Queen hens are at a higher risk of reproductive cancer, egg binding and egg yolk peritonitis. They may also develop lice or bumblefoot or produce eggs without shells. That’s why vaccination is important. Consult a veterinarian about the kinds of vaccinations your Cinnamon Queens may need.

Find What Your Flock Needs at Tractor Supply 

Cinnamon Queen chickens are great for just about any keeper. They’re ideal for families with young children since the breed is kid-friendly. Beginners with backyard flocks will appreciate their docile temperament and quietness. Even experienced keepers will like these birds since they integrate well into existing flocks. To learn more about Cinnamon Queens and other chicken breeds, trust Tractor Supply. With 85+ years of experience, we share what you need to know about poultry breeds in The Coop. Shop live chickens online or visit your local Tractor Supply store.