Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: Not applicable
- Weights: Hen—–6 1/2 lbs
Rooster——8 1/2 lbs
Pullet–5 1/2 lbs
Cockerel—–7 1/2 lbs - Purpose: Primary production, Egg Laying & Pet/Secondary meat source
- Egg Shell Color: Light Brown
- Egg Production: 200-280 eggs per year (estimates only, see FAQ)
- Egg Size: Large
- Temperament: Active
- Gender Accuracy: 80-85%
- Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
- Broody: Variable
- Mating Ratio: 10 Females to 1 Males
- Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Country of Origin: United States
- APA: No
- TLC: No
- Breeder Farm Source: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline or strain of pure Cherry Egger™ since 1936.
Cherry Egger Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Cherry Egger™ chicken is a dark red production layer selected from Rhode Island Red-type breeding. If you like the look of a rich, deep red bird and want steady large brown eggs, this Cackle Hatchery® strain is a practical choice for the backyard flock.
These birds are selected for darker red coloring, good egg production, and easy backyard usefulness. They are not meant to be a separate old heritage breed like the Rhode Island Red. Instead, think of them as a production-focused red chicken chosen for color, laying ability, and flock value.
If you want a dependable brown egg layer that also looks handsome in the yard, Cherry Eggers™ fit the job well. They are a good pick for families, backyard chicken keepers, and anyone raising chickens at home for eggs.
Appearance and Characteristics
Cherry Eggers™ have a darker cherry-red feather color, which gives them a richer look than many lighter red production birds. That dark red color is the main reason many customers choose them.
They have a classic red chicken appearance and a useful production build. Hens are docile and can make good hen house chickens or pet-type backyard birds. Cackle’s hatching egg page also notes that Cherry Eggers™ have dark cherry red feather coloring and docile hens.
Because they come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, they carry the familiar red-layer look many people associate with old backyard egg flocks.
Cherry Egger™ vs Rhode Island Red: What’s the Difference?
Cherry Eggers™ are closely tied to Rhode Island Red breeding, but they are selected with a slightly different goal in mind.
Choose Cherry Eggers™ if you want darker red production birds selected for large brown eggs and backyard usefulness. Choose Rhode Island Red chickens if you want the traditional recognized breed with its full heritage history and standard breed identity.
Both can be good brown egg layers. However, Cherry Eggers™ are chosen from darker red production stock, which gives them that rich cherry-red appearance customers like.
Egg Production and Utility
Cherry Egger™ hens lay large brown eggs and make useful production birds for backyard egg baskets. They are a good option if you want dependable layers without moving into a commercial hybrid like a sex-link or high-output specialty cross.
They work well for customers raising chickens for eggs at home. With steady feed, clean water, good housing, and enough daylight, these hens can help keep your egg basket supplied.
Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed quality, weather, housing, and overall care. Like any laying hen, they may slow down during molt, stress, extreme weather, or shorter winter days.
If you enjoy hatching projects, Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Cackle’s hatching egg category also reminds customers that hatch rates can vary after shipping because temperature and handling sit outside the hatchery’s control.
Temperament and Suitability
Cherry Eggers™ are a good fit for backyard flocks, family egg projects, and small homesteads. They are known as practical, docile red chickens that can be easy to enjoy in the hen house.
They can do well in winter when you provide a dry coop and a good windbreak. Cold weather is easier on chickens when the coop stays dry, ventilated, and protected from drafts.
They also suit families who want chickens for both eggs and the backyard experience. As with any breed or strain, individual personalities can vary. Still, this red production type is a sensible choice if you want a bird that lays well and looks good doing it.
For new chick owners, Cackle Hatchery’s chick care instructions cover brooding, heat, feed, water, litter, and first-day care. The guide notes that chicks need a warm zone of 100–105°F in the brooder for the first 48 hours.
Is the Cherry Egger™ Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Cherry Eggers™ if you want:
A dark red production chicken
A large brown egg layer
A backyard-friendly red hen
A Rhode Island Red-type production bird
A docile hen house chicken
A good family flock option
A bird that can handle winter with proper housing
A practical layer for home egg production
A hatching egg option when available
Overall, Cherry Eggers™ are a good match if you want a handsome red bird with useful egg production. They may not be the right pick if you are looking for an APA heritage breed for exhibition, but they make a lot of sense for backyard eggs and everyday flock enjoyment.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by egg color, temperament, size, and flock goals.
Breed History and Preservation
Cherry Eggers™ are not an old standardized breed with a separate American Poultry Association history. They come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, with darker red birds chosen for this Cackle Hatchery® strain.
That makes them different from a heritage breed preservation bird. Their value is practical: color, eggs, temperament, and backyard usefulness.
The Rhode Island Red background still matters, though. Rhode Island Reds have a long American history as brown egg layers and dual-purpose farm birds. Cherry Eggers™ carry that red-layer influence in a production-focused form.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association does not recognize Cherry Eggers™ as a separate standard breed. They are best understood as a production strain selected from Rhode Island Red-type stock.
You can choose Cherry Egger™ chicks when they are in season. If you prefer hatching your own, Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available at limited times of the year.
Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Cherry Eggers™, you may also want to compare Rhode Island Red chickens, Production Red chickens, New Hampshire chickens, and other brown egg laying chickens.
For new flock owners, read Baby Chick Care Instructions and Tips for Caring for Your Baby Chickens. These resources are useful before your chicks arrive and during the first few weeks of brooding.
For broader flock planning, browse baby chicks for sale, hatching eggs for sale, and the Chicken Breed Selector.
FAQ: Cherry Egger™ Chicken
What is a Cherry Egger™ chicken?
A Cherry Egger™ chicken is a dark red production chicken selected from Rhode Island Red-type breeding. It is known for large brown eggs, dark cherry-red feathering, and backyard usefulness.
Are Cherry Eggers™ the same as Rhode Island Reds?
Not exactly. Cherry Eggers™ come from Rhode Island Red-type production selection, but they are chosen for darker red coloring and practical egg production. If you want the traditional recognized breed, compare Rhode Island Reds.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good egg layers?
Yes. These hens are good production layers of large brown eggs. Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and overall care.
What color eggs do Cherry Eggers™ lay?
They lay brown eggs, usually large in size.
What do Cherry Eggers™ look like?
They have dark cherry-red feathering. Hens are attractive red birds with a practical production build.
Are Cherry Eggers™ friendly?
They are generally docile and can make good hen house chickens or backyard flock birds. As always, temperament can vary by individual bird and handling.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good for kids?
Yes, they can be a good choice for family flocks when children learn safe, gentle poultry handling. Adult supervision still matters around all chickens, especially roosters.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good for beginners?
Yes. They can work well for beginners who want a practical brown egg layer. Like all chickens, they need clean water, balanced feed, dry housing, predator protection, and enough space.
Are Cherry Eggers™ cold hardy?
They can do well in winter when you provide a dry coop, good ventilation, and a windbreak. Keeping the coop dry matters more than making it airtight.
Are Cherry Eggers™ good backyard chickens?
Yes. They make a good choice for backyard egg flocks because they lay large brown eggs, have a useful temperament, and bring a rich red color to the yard.
Are Cherry Eggers™ a heritage breed?
No. They are a production strain selected from Rhode Island Red-type birds, not a separate APA-recognized heritage breed.
Do Cherry Eggers™ breed true?
Because this is a selected production strain rather than a separate standard breed, later generations may not match the original selection as consistently as a recognized pure breed.
Can I order Cherry Egger™ hatching eggs?
Yes. Cherry Egger™ Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Hatchability can vary with shipping, weather, handling, and incubation.
Where can I find chick care information?
Read Cackle Hatchery’s Baby Chick Care Instructions before your chicks arrive. It covers brooder heat, feed, water, litter, and first-day care.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
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