Pullet or Cockerel? Black Sex Link

I agree Ol' Grey Mare, hatcheries, breeders and us plain old chicken owners can call them by any name we want to. But, the fact remains - sex links are just that, sex links. Red sex links and black sex links are simply a cross of two different breeds that can be sexed at hatch by the down color.

enola said:

I agree Ol' Grey Mare, hatcheries, breeders and us plain old chicken owners can call them by any name we want to. But, the fact remains - sex links are just that, sex links. Red sex links and black sex links are simply a cross of two different breeds that can be sexed at hatch by the down color.

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For my 2 and 4 year old granddaughter's sake, we will call them Black Star. It just sounds 'funny' to hear the word 'sex' coming from their lips as it is! Gimme about 10-12 more years to get to that place!

Well Enola,
They are NOT sex links anymore than one is a hemophiliac or a Down's syndrome. One does not label a creature by its genetic or medical condition. Sex linkage is a genetic condition and NOT an appropriate label. The terms Gold Star, Red Star and Black Star, etc., are the identifiers we should use to be precise as we can be for that explains which creature we are talking about. Even at that, since these creatures are from separate breeds, as hybrids we cannot even say that these labels are distinct breeds, for they are indeed a combination of breeds, hence the hybrid condition. So let's keep it accurate and simple when we discuss any of these hybrids; and for heaven's sake let us abandon the labels attached by well meaning folk who seem to have missed a biology class or two. And yes, as I have said before, in going against the unintentional ignorance of others, I realize we are in an up hill battle. For the sake of accuracy one has to start somewhere. From now on I hope that you will join those of us who strive for accuracy in detailing our birds. Take it from one who is trained in genetics and has been breeding poultry for most of his life and thus just might have a few insights on the subject. Calling anything by any old name one chooses defeats the intent of accuracy in language - one might just as well throw out his dictionary and wallow in language mayhem.
Sincerely,
Neal, the Zooman

Just hatched about 25 BSL and 3 RIR ...15 hens and 10 roosters....great hatch...one question.. Approximately how old are the pullets whe they begin to lay.....

Hi FloydB,
I'm encouraging everyone in these Back Yard Blogs to abandon the terms Black Sex Link (BSL), Red Sex Link (RSL), Gold Sex Link (GSL) , etc. for there are truly no such creatures. These animals are Black Stars, Red Stars and Gold Stars respectively. Sex linkage is a genetic condition and not a designation of birds or any other creatures for that matter. For example, if you suffered from hemophilia, a genetic condition, would you want to be known by one and all as the hemophiliac? And by the way, these are not even breed designations either as hybrids are of at least of two breeds. But these are proper identifiers; the best we have. So I'm asking you and others to join those of us in our campaign to use the proper nomenclature with respect to our birds. As for my authenticity in the matter, I'm a trained geneticist, lifelong breeder of chickens and a zoologist. So please help us in this realignment of proper designation. Will you join us?
Sincerely,
Neal, the Zooman

1zooman12 said:

Hi FloydB,
I'm encouraging everyone in these Back Yard Blogs to abandon the terms Black Sex Link (BSL), Red Sex Link (RSL), Gold Sex Link (GSL) , etc. for there are truly no such creatures. These animals are Black Stars, Red Stars and Gold Stars respectively. Sex linkage is a genetic condition and not a designation of birds or any other creatures for that matter. For example, if you suffered from hemophilia, a genetic condition, would you want to be known by one and all as the hemophiliac? And by the way, these are not even breed designations either as hybrids are of at least of two breeds. But these are proper identifiers; the best we have. So I'm asking you and others to join those of us in our campaign to use the proper nomenclature with respect to our birds. As for my authenticity in the matter, I'm a trained geneticist, lifelong breeder of chickens and a zoologist. So please help us in this realignment of proper designation. Will you join us?
Sincerely,
Neal, the Zooman

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Suppose you'll have to take that up with all the agricultural extension agencies, universities, biologists, the production industry in general, etc. that have embraced the term and continue to use it in describing these hybrids. Additionally, as has already been stated, the issue of breed vs. hybrid is quite quickly and efficiently addressed when these birds are misidentified as being a "breed". For that matter, the term is used in describing other species - so I guess you'll have to take on the entire scientific community. Let me know how that goes for you.
Out of curiosity, who are "we" that are in engaged in this campaign that you are urging others to join in? So far the only one I've noticed taking issue and campaigning is you........

Ol Grey Mare said:

Suppose you'll have to take that up with all the agricultural extension agencies, universities, biologists, the production industry in general,  etc. that have embraced the term and continue to use it in describing these hybrids.  Additionally, as has already been stated, the issue of breed vs. hybrid is quite quickly and efficiently addressed when these birds are misidentified as being a "breed".  For that matter, the term is used in describing other species - so I guess you'll have to take on the entire scientific community.  Let me know how that goes for you.
 Out of curiosity, who are "we" that are in engaged in this campaign that you are urging others to join in?  So far the only one I've noticed taking issue and campaigning is you........

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Well said! I just came for some info because I am breeding them now. Thanks for your rebuttal to that remark...looks like people woul champion more serious ills in our society. Thanks Again

I agree with every single word you said Ol' Grey Mare.

I consider it very entertaining when someone comes on this site and tries to convince everyone that they know more about a subject than everyone else does...........

Zooman,

I have a hypothetical question for you.........

I have a flock of hens that are all barred, they are 3 or 4 generations of crosses between barred rocks, dominiques and cuckoo marans. I crossed them with a red rooster that is a cross between rhode island red and production red.

What would you call their chicks if you don't call them sex links?

The Staff has examined this thread has found the discussion has long ago drifted into argumentative postings. The original poster long ago got the information requested.

Tilting at windmills because folks here use language like "roo" instead of the accurate cockerel, or call small female chicks "hens" instead of the accurate pullets or refer to their birds as BSLs or RSLs is a fact of life here.

All the "correcting" and "campaigning" isn't likely to change the reality.

So, with that, the curtain now comes down on this thread.