Golden Comet Chickens: Eggs, Temperament and Care

What a Golden Comet is

The Golden Comet is a hybrid rather than a traditional breed. It is a cross between breeds developed for egg production, so there is no single breed standard, and the birds you receive can vary a little depending on the hatchery that supplies them.

Utah State University Extension lists the Golden Comet in its table of hybrids as a brown-egg layer with early maturity and a calm, friendly temperament, and it describes the whole group as high egg yield but shorter lifespan. That one line is the best summary of the bird: a productive, easy hen that is built to lay hard early on.

How many eggs do Golden Comets lay?

University of Maine Cooperative Extension rates Golden Comet egg production as good, estimating 250 to 320 eggs per year, with brown eggs of excellent size and quality. Utah State gives a similar range of 280 to 320. Those are estimates for a healthy young hen under good management, not a promise for every bird.

Output falls as hens age. University of Minnesota Extension says production peaks in the first two years and drops each year when hens molt in early fall, and Arizona Extension notes laying often becomes sporadic by age three or four. Shorter days also cut laying, and Minnesota says hens need at least 12 to 14 hours of light a day to keep going. Our guide to how many eggs a chicken lays goes through those factors in more detail.

Temperament and size

Maine Extension calls the Golden Comet an extremely quiet bird, and Utah State lists it as calm and friendly. That makes it a common choice for first-time keepers and families with children who want hens that tolerate handling.

The hens are a medium-sized bird. University of Maine lists hens at 5 to 6 pounds, with roosters at 7 to 8 pounds. At that size they need the same practical space as other standard hens: enough roost bar, nesting boxes and room to scratch. Choose a chicken coop sized for the number of birds you plan to keep, not the number you start with.

Housing and cold weather

Maine Extension reports that Golden Comets handle unheated, non-insulated laying houses better than most breeds, which is useful in a backyard coop. That does not mean they can be left without shelter. A dry, draft-free coop with good ventilation still matters, especially for water, which can freeze even when the birds cope.

A fenced chicken run lets the hens scratch and forage safely during the day. A design like this combinable wooden chicken run with perches can suit a small flock, while a much larger enclosure such as a 17 ft chicken run with cover is sized for a much bigger group. Check the dimensions against your flock before choosing.

Feeding and water for a heavy layer

A hen that lays this many eggs needs a steady supply of feed and fresh water, and calcium in the diet supports shell quality. Arizona Extension specifically mentions an adequate calcium supply as part of a balanced diet for laying hens. Choose a layer diet made for the purpose and keep feed dry.

Water use rises sharply in heat. Utah State estimates 0.08 to 0.16 gallon per day per adult chicken in hot weather, so size waterers generously. See our guide to chicken waterers for how many a flock needs.

Is a Golden Comet right for you?

Choose Golden Comets if you want a steady supply of brown eggs, a gentle flock and a bird that matures early. Consider a heritage breed if you want hens that lay for many years or that go broody and raise chicks, since the shorter productive life is the main cost of a hybrid layer.

Whatever you choose, watch for changes in behavior, droppings, eyes or breathing. Hens hide illness, so a bird that stays fluffed up or stops eating should be seen by a veterinarian who treats poultry, or your local extension office, without delay.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace advice from a veterinarian who treats poultry.