Golden Comet

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Golden Comet is a crossbred, sex-linked hen developed in the United States by crossing a White Rock (or Rhode Island White) hen with a New Hampshire Red rooster. It’s also known as Golden Buff, Red Star, Gold Sex-Link, and Cinnamon Queen. Because it is a crossbreed, it isn’t officially recognized as a breed by the American Poultry Association.

Eggs and laying
- Very good egg layers: up to about 6 eggs per week (around 330 eggs a year).
- Start laying at about 16 weeks old.
- Hens are productive for about two years; after that, egg production gradually declines, and by the third year they may stop.
- Male chicks are usually not kept for meat or egg production.

Care and temperament
- They are easy to keep, good for beginners, and adaptable to different climates.
- They tolerate heat relatively well, but need shade and plenty of water; in cold weather they appreciate warm nesting material like hay or straw.
- They are typically calm and friendly, and they do well in mixed flocks.

Appearance
- Body shape forms an inverted U with the tail carried high.
- Plumage is usually reddish-brown with possible lighter or gold tones; some birds may have honey-colored feathers or white patches.
- Comb, earlobes, and wattles are bright red. Eyes are orange, beaks are bone-colored or yellow. Legs are bare with yellow skin, and each foot has four toes.
- Chicks: females show stripe-like patterns on their backs; males are paler at birth.

Sexing and lifespan
- This is a sex-linked breed, so you can often tell chicks’ sex at birth by color: females are golden buff with stripes, males are pale yellow. This coloring fades with age.
- Typical lifespan is about 4–5 years. The combs can suffer frostbite in cold weather, and reproductive problems can arise after about three years due to the strain on their organs.

Living and companionship
- They do well in free-range setups and enjoy foraging for insects.
- Space needs are about 3–4 square feet per bird.
- They mix well with other common backyard breeds like Cochins, Plymouth Rocks, Faverolles, and Orpingtons.

In short, Golden Comets are popular, easy-care, highly productive hens that are great for small farms or backyard setups.