Anything Favorable About Black Sex Link Chickens?

I researched the catalogs for chicks, and if I were to place an order, even for 5 or 6 chicks, I would have to pay an outrageous price for the shipping (like $40+ dollars). So, when I found out that Tractor Supply Store will be carrying them, I was very glad.
I do have a question though. They carried Rhode Island Red pullets and Black Sex Link pullets last week. The Rhode Island Red pullets easily sold out, but it doesn't look like anyone is buying the Black Sex Link pullets. Does anyone know why this is? I think I would like to buy some if they are offered, but I do not want to buy anything that will end up being not good. Maybe people know something that I don't know, or, maybe people don't know enough about the Black Sex Link pullets and are just kind of ignoring them. Anyone know which one it is? Thanks!

I'm guessing the Rhode Island reds are straight run, I would like to have the black sex links because you know when you choose a hen !!!

I would say there's no reason to not grab those black sex links ... I've had red sex links for two years without a health issue and they lay a xl egg every day!!!

Awestruck said:

I researched the catalogs for chicks, and if I were to place an order, even for 5 or 6 chicks, I would have to pay an outrageous price for the shipping (like $40+ dollars). So, when I found out that Tractor Supply Store will be carrying them, I was very glad.
I do have a question though. They carried Rhode Island Red pullets and Black Sex Link pullets last week. The Rhode Island Red pullets easily sold out, but it doesn't look like anyone is buying the Black Sex Link pullets. Does anyone know why this is? I think I would like to buy some if they are offered, but I do not want to buy anything that will end up being not good. Maybe people know something that I don't know, or, maybe people don't know enough about the Black Sex Link pullets and are just kind of ignoring them. Anyone know which one it is? Thanks!

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I've never met a RIR that wasn't a mean, nasty tempered old biddy. And I'm only guessing, but i think folks choose the RIR b/c they think they are getting heritage birds, while the sex links have a rep for being prolific layers for a season or two before succumbing to reproductive illnesses. Any RIR that are carried by a feed store are not going to be the old fashioned mild tempered mahogany colored RIR that your great grandmother most likely had. Feed store RIR are most likely to be a production bird. Given the choice between those 2 options, I'd choose the BSL over RIR. But... I'd be more apt to pick up the telephone and call all of the feed stores within an hour of you, find their shipping dates, and see what will be coming in. It might be possible for you to pre-pay to get what you want. But, don't let a pre-paid order keep you from arriving very early on receiving day. No matter where you get your chicks, you want to get them in your possession as early as possible so you will get a good selection, and avoid any mishandling of the chicks in the store.

Probably because RIRs are too popular,and have a great laying ability.

Bsl are good to,but are bossy as well.I think you could take rir and bsl together,neither are weak.

I love my little black sex link and she's my DH's favorite bird.
She's smaller than my BO hen and about the same size as our Barred Rock. She is quite friendly and lays well.

and she's very pretty

We have 4 Black Sex Link and 2 Buff Orpington, the BSL aren't as friendly as the BO but great layers.

I have one BSL and she isn't overly friendly yet, but we are working on it.

BSL are fantastic birds, IF you wish to eat them after they are done laying. Otherwise, they lay way too little to justify the enormous amounts of feed they down. They're worth it for the first year, and after that... Not so much. They are pretty sweet, however, as far as laying breeds go.

BantyChooks said:

BSL are fantastic birds, IF you wish to eat them after they are done laying. Otherwise, they lay way too little to justify the enormous amounts of feed they down. They're worth it for the first year, and after that... Not so much. They are pretty sweet, however, as far as laying breeds go.

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This has not been my experience with hatchery BSL. They are very feed thrifty, and lay very well. Their second year of production is usually very good also, with even larger eggs. However, they do tend to shut down after the second season, and have a higher probability of succumbing to reproductive issues. As for their carcass, a bit smaller than many heritage LF. Per Murray McMurray catalog, the Plymouth Barred Rock hen will weigh on average 7.5#. The following description of their Black Sex Link shows the size difference.

Black Star
We have found the sex link brown egg layer that meets our strict specifications: the BLACK STAR. Black Star hens are wonderful layers of large brown eggs. Black Stars are easy to raise and have a good feed conversion ratio.

At maturity, Black Stars weigh a little over 5 lbs. The females are black with gold hackle and breast feathers, and they are egg laying machines. The males are black with white barring. (They will not retain the same characteristics in future generations.)