The Golden Comet chicken has many pros for the backyard chicken enthusiast, but some poultry enthusiasts consider this breed to have cons uncommon to many heritage chicken breeds. Here are the ins and outs of these sex link chickens.
The Golden Comet chicken is one of the most popular egg-laying chicken breeds in backyard flocks today. This hybrid breed was developed specifically for commercial egg production, but Golden Comets have successfully transitioned to small farms and backyards worldwide.
If you want to add Golden Comets to your flock, read this to learn everything you need to know about this friendly, easy-to-care-for, and very productive breed!
History of the Golden Comet Chicken
The Golden Comet is not a pure chicken breed, but rather a hybrid cross between a White Plymouth Rock hen and a New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red rooster.
Crossbreeding chickens, like the Golden Comet, has been popular in commercial poultry farming since the early 1900s. Poultry breeders can use heterosis, or hybrid vigor, to get faster growth, earlier egg production, and higher egg yields than with purebred chickens.
The exact origins of the Golden Comet are unclear, but this sex-link hybrid was likely developed in the middle of the 20th century to meet demand from commercial egg farms.
Today, Golden Comets are one of the most common hybrid laying hens. They’re also popular with people who keep chickens in their yards and on small farms.
Appearance of Golden Comets
Golden Comet chickens have a distinct appearance that makes it easy to tell males and females apart.
Hens have red-brown plumage that can range from a dark cinnamon color to a light golden hue. Their feathers often have a neat black barring. Hens weigh around 4 lbs and stand about 18-20 inches tall.
Roosters have white or pale yellow plumage. They are slightly larger than hens at around 5-6 lbs and 18-20 inches tall.
Both hens and roosters have yellow beaks and legs. Their single combs and wattles are red.
This sex-link coloration makes it easy for hatcheries and breeders to determine male and female chicks right after hatching.
Egg Laying Abilities
Outstanding egg production is the standout quality of the Golden Comet chicken. Here’s what to expect:
- Annual egg production: 300+ eggs per year
- Peak production: 5-6 eggs per week
- Egg color: Light to medium brown
- Egg size: Medium to large
- Start of lay: Around 16-20 weeks old
Comet hens are persistent layers and can churn out an egg nearly every day in their prime. The excellent laying abilities and early maturity of this hybrid make them ideal for maximizing eggs for personal or commercial use.
Temperament and Behavior
Golden Comets have a reputation for being friendly, calm, and gentle birds.
They are curious and energetic foragers when allowed to free range. Golden Comets aren’t easily frightened and enjoy human interaction. Many backyard chicken keepers say their Comets follow them around the yard like puppies!
These chickens get along well with flock mates and avoid confrontation or bullying. They do best with other gentle, non-aggressive breeds.
Overall, Golden Comets have an easygoing personality perfect for novice chicken keepers and children. They make enjoyable backyard pets.
Care and Management Tips
Housing: Golden Comets tolerate confinement well but enjoy free-ranging. They need at least 3-4 square feet of coop space per bird.
Climate: Hardy and adaptable to most climates. Provide shade in summer and wind protection in winter.
Feeding: Give a complete feed plus treats like veggies, fruits, bugs, and greens. Calcium supplements support heavy egg laying.
Health: Quite vigorous and healthy as young birds. Monitor for parasites and practice biosecurity. Lifespan is reduced compared to heritage breeds.
Golden Comets are easy-care chickens that don’t require anything too special. Give them space to roam and they’ll be perfectly content!
Benefits and Drawbacks of Golden Comets
Pros
- Extremely high egg production
- Excellent laying persistence
- Early sexual maturity
- Autosexing chicks
- Friendly, docile temperament
- Low-maintenance care
- Great for beginners and children
Cons
- Short lifespan of only 4-5 years
- Egg production declines after 2-3 years
- Susceptible to reproductive health issues
- Non-broody
- Offspring do not breed true
Overall, Golden Comets are one of the best egg-laying chickens thanks to their high productivity, friendly nature, hands-off care, and autosexing chicks. Just be aware they have a shorter lifespan than heritage breeds.
Are Golden Comets Right for You?
Here are some key things to consider about whether Golden Comets are a good fit:
- Best suited to backyard flocks and small farms rather than large commercial operations
- Excellent choice if you want a high volume of eggs for personal or commercial use
- Their friendly personality makes them great for families and children
- Best for beginner chicken keepers due to their easy care and calm temperament
- Not ideal if you want chickens that live many years or brood/hatch chicks
Golden Comets are difficult to top when it comes to friendly temperament combined with outstanding egg production. They are hugely popular for backyard and small farm flocks for good reason!
Finding and Buying Golden Comets
Golden Comets are readily available from most hatcheries that supply egg-laying breed chickens. Ideal Poultry, Meyer Hatchery, Cackle Hatchery, and My Pet Chicken all offer sexed or straight-run Golden Comet chicks.
Prices range from $2-4 per chick. You may also find started pullets or adult hens for sale from local breeders.
Be sure to purchase birds from a reputable source with good reviews. Check for signs of health and vigor in the chicks or hens you’re buying.
Is the Golden Comet Right for Your Flock?
The Golden Comet chicken has secured its place as one of the most popular backyard chickens due to their outstanding egg production, friendly personality, hands-off care, and autosexing traits.
While their short lifespan is a downside, Golden Comets will provide abundant eggs for 2-3 years while brightening up your flock with their cheerful disposition. For most backyard chicken enthusiasts and small farmers, that’s more than enough to make them a valued addition!
What Makes a Golden Comet?
The Golden Comet chicken is a mix of a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire Red rooster and a White Plymouth Rock, White Leghorn, or Delaware hen. Upon hatching, these chicks can be sexed by color instead of the traditional vent sexing. Male chicks are yellow at hatching, and females hatch a reddish brown.
Golden Comets are part of the sex link group of chickens. Sex Link chickens get their name because they can be sexed by color upon hatching. It’s not just called Golden Comets; people also call them Golden Buff, Golden Sex Link, Red Sex Link, Red Star, and Cinnamon Queen.
8 Golden Comet Chicken Pros
With their sex link characteristics, Golden Comets have a one hundred percent sexing accuracy. Not worrying about unwanted roosters has saved many chicken keepers from headaches and heartaches.
Golden Comets are both heat and cold-hardy. Unlike many heritage breeds, these lively hens tolerate summer heat and winter chills without ill effects and will even lay through the hottest summer months.
Golden Comets do not breed true (more on that later). They don’t have a high risk of getting breed-related illnesses because they are always bred from new parent birds. These healthy hens may also be less likely to develop certain other diseases, including Marek’s disease.
The Golden Comet chicken is a delightful pet. Comets have a calm and relaxing personality and make ideal family companions. While they are known for their quiet nature and affectionate temperaments, Comets have an attitude that sets them apart from other flock members. Hens of this breed love interacting with their owners and will sit on your lap for hours.
When not bonding with their favorite person, Comets can usually be found at the back door begging for a treat. These hens are food-motivated and will do anything for a tasty snack.
Golden Comets are peaceful chickens who dwell with other flock members without a hitch. These hens prefer to stay out of flock squabbles and will move to the opposite side of the run to avoid conflicts.
Their calm and peaceful nature may make them vulnerable to bullying when housed with more aggressive breeds.
If there is one thing everyone agrees on about the Golden Comet chicken, it is that you can’t beat its egg production. Golden Comets are egg-laying champions and will easily outperform all your other brown egg layers.
Golden Comets were bred to lay, with each hen laying as many as three hundred extra-large eggs annually. Eggs come in various browns, ranging from tan to deep reddish brown. Some eggs even have speckles similar to those of a Welsummer’s egg.
Comets are naturally quiet chickens, which gives them an advantage for backyard flocks with close neighbors. While they do sing the egg song and make other noises, they don’t feel the need to make a fuss all day long.
The Golden Comet chicken is the brown egg-layer answer to the Leghorn. These hens were bred to produce eggs without costing the farmer too much money. With their small bodies, Golden Comets do not need to consume as much feed to lay an egg as heritage breeds. This attribute has made Comets the most popular brown egg layer in backyard flocks and factory farms worldwide.
Golden Comet Chicken: What to Know Before Buying One
FAQ
What breeds make up a Golden Comet chicken?
There is a breed of chicken called Golden Comet that is a cross between a female White Rock or Rhode Island White and a male New Hampshire Red.
Which chicken lays 350 eggs a year?
When it comes to hybrid egg-layers, Isa Browns are the most productive. They can lay up to 350 eggs a year.
Are golden comets and cinnamon queen chickens the same?
Yes, the names Golden Comet and Cinnamon Queen often refer to the same hybrid chicken breed. The more general name for this type of chicken is Golden Comet, but it is also known as Cinnamon Queen. They are both sex-linked, meaning the chicks can be sexed by their down color at hatch.
Are Golden Comet chickens good layers?
If you are looking for strong, reliable egg production in a compact setting, Golden Comets are a great choice. They can lay more than 300 eggs a year with little to no maintenance. Female chicks mature to hens and start laying quickly. As egg-laying specialists, Golden Comets lack the tendency to go broody.