Do Cinnamon Queens get along with submissive breeds like Orpingtons?

[K0k0shka]

I'm considering adding some designated egg layers to my pet flock this spring, looking at what's available at my local feed store. I'm considering Cinnamon Queens as a more peaceful alternative to RIRs. I've read that they mix with other chickens better than the notoriously bitchy RIRs. My pet flock is all non-confrontational, docile breeds - Orpington, Barnevelder and Wyandotte. Would a couple of Cinnamon Queens get along well with them? I don't need no drama. I would get them as day olds and slip them under my reliable broody to raise with the flock.

 

[Mrs. K]

I just love my cinnamon queens, or any production red. Good solid egg layers, and mine have always gotten along well with others. If you raise them up with a broody hen, I really don't think you will have any trouble at all.

One can't make promises, cause individual birds don't always follow the rules, but I have had several, have 3 right now, and they fit well with my flock.

Mrs K

 

[K0k0shka]

I just love my cinnamon queens, or any production red. Good solid egg layers, and mine have always gotten along well with others. If you raise them up with a broody hen, I really don't think you will have any trouble at all.

One can't make promises, cause individual birds don't always follow the rules, but I have had several, have 3 right now, and they fit well with my flock.

Mrs K

That's great to hear, thanks! And yeah, I'm hoping that because they start out bottom of the pack (newcomers AND youngest), the others will have the upper hand and keep them in check easier. One of my Barnevelders especially, is extremely submissive and even though she's from the original batch and oldest, every wave of newcomers has eventually overtaken her in rank, but because they're all fairly non-confrontational, there hasn't been too much drama. So it's mostly for her sake that I want to make sure any new additions don't get any ideas once they grow up.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, there is really no predicting that with breeds, it tends to be more of an individual character. But I am confident in saying you have just as good as possible with these birds as with any other.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I personally agree, you have as good a possibility for peaceful birds with Cinnamon Queens as any other bird. They are a sex-linked hybrid, not a breed. They are not a commercial egg laying hybrid but are a cross between two dual purpose chickens.

Which hatchery are they coming from? Cinnamon Queen is a marketing name, used by two different hatcheries that I'm aware of but from different crosses. Cackle uses Rhode Island Red males over single combed Rhode Island White hens to make theirs. Hoover uses Rhode Island Red roosters over Silver Laced Wyandotte hens to make theirs. Since Wyandotte have the dominant Rose comb, if the chicks have a Rose comb they came from Hoover. A Single comb means they are from Cackle. I am not aware of any other hatchery selling a chicken under the Cinnamon Queen name.

If you read enough posts on here you will find where Orpington, Wyandotte, RIR, or any others are the absolute best cuddle bunnies toward other chickens, humans, or both. Read other posts and you will find where they are absolute brutes. You don't get guarantees either way with living animals, anything can happen. If I remember correctly you have sufficient room and know what you are doing. I think you'd be OK with Cinnamon Queens from either hatchery. But of course I can't give you guarantees with any of them.

 

[Thymewarrior]

I'm considering adding some designated egg layers to my pet flock this spring, looking at what's available at my local feed store. I'm considering Cinnamon Queens as a more peaceful alternative to RIRs. I've read that they mix with other chickens better than the notoriously bitchy RIRs. My pet flock is all non-confrontational, docile breeds - Orpington, Barnevelder and Wyandotte. Would a couple of Cinnamon Queens get along well with them? I don't need no drama. I would get them as day olds and slip them under my reliable broody to raise with the flock.

I hope so because I am getting 6 Cinnamon Queen chicks to add to my year old Wyandottes.

 

[Bawkbok]

We acquired a Cinnamon Queen from Valley Hatchery - a cross of RIR and a Rhode Island White. Still quite young so I can't speak to her personality just yet.

 

[Bawkbok]

@K0k0shka - did you get your Cinnamon Queens and how are they doing with your flock?
Update on ours, we have one CQ with 3 BOs, two of the BOs came with the CQ so they are the same age within a week or two. The CQ is actually the most docile bird we have. She is quiet, friendly but tentative, does not pick on anyone but stands up for herself if necessary and is the most even tempered bird. She sort of does her own thing but hangs with the others, if that makes sense, perhaps because she is outnumbered. She is the absolute best egg layer we've had yet. So to answer your question, yes, they get along with BOs. We only have the one so not really a scientific study. She is my favorite chicken. Wish I had five more just like her.

 

[K0k0shka]

@K0k0shka - did you get your Cinnamon Queens and how are they doing with your flock?
Update on ours, we have one CQ with 3 BOs, two of the BOs came with the CQ so they are the same age within a week or two. The CQ is actually the most docile bird we have. She is quiet, friendly but tentative, does not pick on anyone but stands up for herself if necessary and is the most even tempered bird. She sort of does her own thing but hangs with the others, if that makes sense, perhaps because she is outnumbered. She is the absolute best egg layer we've had yet. So to answer your question, yes, they get along with BOs. We only have the one so not really a scientific study. She is my favorite chicken. Wish I had five more just like her.

Thank you for the update! I'm glad to hear you're happy with your CQ and that she gets along well with your Orps. I ended up getting 2 Cinnamon Queens, 1 ISA Brown, and 1 Black Sexlink, as day-olds, and gave them to my broody. They are 4 weeks old now and doing very well. Still too early to say how they'll fit with the group, as they are still just trying to stay out of the way of the elders, but so far things are looking good (I add chicks almost every year, so my flock is used to that and doesn't bother them too much).

With their adoptive mom:

 

[Bawkbok]

Oh my gosh, they are adorable!! That's a gorgeous hen; absolutely love her markings.