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Black Sex Link chicken

Black sex-link (also called Black Stars) are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire...
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General Information

Breed Purpose
Dual Purpose
Comb
Single
Broodiness
Average
Climate Tolerance
Cold
Egg Productivity
Medium
Egg Size
Medium
Egg Color
Light brown
Breed Temperament
Docile, friendly
Breed Colors/Varieties
Black with Orange Penciling in the hackle
Breed Size
Large Fowl
APA/ABA Class
American
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Black sex-link (also called Black Stars) are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a Barred Rock hen. Both sexes hatch out black, but the males have a white dot on their heads. Pullets feather out black with some red in neck feathers. Males feather out with the Barred Rock pattern along with a few red feathers. Black Sex-Links are often referred to as Rock Reds or Black Stars. They are planned crosses, which are hardier and more productive than their parents' respective breeds. The Sex Link Hybrid is the result of crossing two purebred standard breeds. This hybrid makes for very vigorous chicks, rugged brown egg laying hens and good cockerel fryers. These are extremely high in demand from our Asian community. Black Sex Links lay brown eggs.
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Latest reviews

B
Black Star/Black Sex-linked & Red Star/Red sex-linked are not good choices for backyard flocks.
Pros: Black Stars/Red Stars can generally, but not always, lay an excessive number of eggs annually which are generally med-large to large in size. This is due to their being gene-spliced (genetically modified) because they were bred for industrial purposes. Average temperament.. Can produce more eggs eating less feed than other breeds.
Cons: Because these birds are gene-spliced to produce 300+ eggs per year, this wears out their bodies and their lifespan is only to age 2-3 years old. The gene-splicing can create aggressiveness, poor health, and unusual moulting patterns throughout the year which affects their ability to lay consistently. I have not found that they are healthy birds. Vaginal and bladder prolapse are fairly common due to the excessive egg laying. Those organs were not meant to produce that many eggs. Also bones that break easily can occur due to the strain of producing so many eggs that robs the rest of the hen's body of calcium.
"Non-industrial" breeds of chickens should be chosen by the average person who wants to produce/raise their own eggs or meat.
Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Easter Eggers, New Hampshire Reds, Plymouth Rocks, plus other regular breeds are better choices for the hobbyist.
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Reactions: talkinboutchickens
ella2025
My friendliest chick so far
Pros: Beautiful, healthy chick
Very tolerant to being held
Great with kids
Auto sexing!
Cons: None
My black sex link hasnt started laying yet, but so far I am absolutely in love with her. Her personality is the best of all the 15 chickens I have.
Purchase Price
$6
Purchase Date
June
talkinboutchickens
very nice birds
Pros: chicken-oriented, forms bonds with other chickens
Cons: none really
my black sexlink is very food obsessed, she loves her crumble. She has a few BFFs in the flock, Vicky, who passed away, Flo, and Phyllis. She likes humans, but is more a chicken "person". She likes the older chickens more than the annoying young ones. She is not that picky about what she eats, which is good. She is not vocal at all.
Purchase Price
Around $4.00 from a local breeder
Purchase Date
March 2019
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Comments

tripletfeb
I had two black sex links along with four other pullets, all raised together since they were day olds. Everything was fine for the first few months. Then I was getting chickens that had pecking injuries. Figured out it was both bsl and they were ruthless. I had to cull both of them. Will never get bsl again!
 
feather13
Oh wow! Sorry to hear about your BSLs. Hopefully the other chickens aren't getting pecked anymore.

We've had 3 BSLs and they're quite a handful. Ours don't hurt other chickens, but they are greedy, loud (2nd only to Fayoumis), always first in line for snacks and a little too affectionate (they are constantly getting stepped on). They are like big Labrador puppies (even digging big holes in their run) and never seem to have a bad day, but they are also champion egg layers. Definitely not for everyone!
 
D
Just bought 18 bsl as well as 12 jersey giants. My last flock I was lucky enough to accidentally get 1 balls my husband loved her and named her Gertrude. She'd follow him around the yard like a puppy until he picked her up for lovins. We lost her to a raccoon
 
D
Had my Black sexlink hen attempt to protect the flock and fend off a Bobcat. Unfortunately she was killed for her brave attempt. Not the most friendly but still an amazing breed.
 
farmert
I have had three red sex linked hens who are now older and not laying everyday. A farmer offered me three 9 wk old black sex linked hens. Would they be ready to go in the same coop as the others? Also, if they have not been handled/petted, are they too old to be domesticated (so to speak)? They are a lovely chicken.
 
Rangergord
My BSL are now 15 months old. I raised them from chicks and sold some to two other families. Everyone has been very pleased with them. Outstanding layers of large brown eggs while consuming moderate amounts of feed. Good winter layers. They always want me to pick them up and pet them. I sell the extra eggs to 2-3 other families and have been able to cover all the feed costs and other supplies such as straw, and an electric poultry net! People rave about the egg quality . I would definitely get them again. I have one family who wants some if I get a new flock in another year. I guess they heard good things about them. The black color might be a disadvantage in a hot climate but that’s not me! Other than an egg song now and then, they are very quiet and calm. They really enjoy working in my garden and orchard with the electric poultry net and their tractor. My garden crops have really responded to their manure and soil preparation with fewer weeds than ever.
 
LuciferRoo
New Flockman said:
I suppose one of our new broody raised is a Black Sex Link, which if I understand the tern is a broad definition for "Mutt Chickens" with specific parentage.... in this case being a Black Australorpe Roo and a Barred Rock hen. The other is the same roo but a Buff Orpington. Not sure if that's a Sex Linked chicken at all. Blackberries are lovely birds.
Click to expand...
Blackberries 😃 I like that term.
 
B
I have 6 golden comets that I got at 2 days old in March of 23. I got 2 black sex links in March of this year. They are very skittish and every time I try to integrate them with the 6 comets, the BSLs either hide behind the waterer or fly to the top of the coop. If a comet goes where the BSLs are, they fly and have landed and stayed on my back, my shoulder and both of my arms. The back and shoulder weren't too bad but they dug in my arms and hands when they tried there. I know that there is a pecking order and even young chickens know it but my BSLs are now bigger than any of my comets yet they act like they are still slightly more than newly hatched. Any suggestions for what I can do to successfully integrate them with the 6? They should begin laying at any time but I can't have them on top of the coop all the time! I've tried being out there with them, leaving them alone but watching out a window, I even took a hose and sprayed one of the comets if they tried to go after the BSLs. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
Added by
Reeses Peepers
Views
249,920
Watchers
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Comments
148
Reviews
97
Last update
Rating
4.15 star(s) 100 ratings

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