Fisher-Price Cackling Hen Value Guide

The Fisher-Price Cackling Hen, introduced in 1958 as model number 120, is a quintessential example of the company's mid-century transition from all-wood to plastic-integrated designs. This collectible is highly prized for its charming mechanical action, where the wings flap and the head bobs to a rhythmic clucking sound when towed.

What affects the value of Fisher-Price Cackling Hen?

• The condition of the lithographed paper, as peeling, fading, or water damage significantly reduces the $25-$28 price point.
• Functionality of the mechanical movement, specifically the synchronized wing flapping and head bobbing.
• Presence of the original pull cord and the integrity of the metal axles and plastic parts.
• The clarity and volume of the internal cackling sound mechanism.

How to Identify Fisher-Price Cackling Hen?

• Verify the model number 120 printed on the lithographed paper graphics.
• Check for the signature construction of a solid wood frame covered in detailed lithographed paper.
• Ensure the presence of the original plastic components, which were a new feature for Fisher-Price during the 1958-1967 production era.
• Confirm the internal bellows mechanism still produces the specific 'cackling' sound when the wheels turn.

History of Fisher-Price Cackling Hen

First introduced in 1958 as model number 120, this pull toy was part of Fisher-Price's transition from all-wood toys to incorporating plastic components. It features lithographed paper on a wood frame, which was the signature manufacturing style of the company during its golden era. The toy's mechanism causes the wings to flap and the head to bob while emitting a sound intended to mimic a hen's cluck.