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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

CarolynF
Yes, they are a cross breed and as with many first generation crosses there is a laying vigor not usually seen in the parents. As with any cross breed, you won't get offspring that match the parents. That's basic genetics. But I disagree with the statement about not having them in a farmyard mix. A farmyard mix is a random crossing of the various breeds in the farmyard -- just like a black or red sex link.
 
rsf31tmp
my point was that they are great layers and nice birds. You are right, they are fine in a barnyard mix, you just are not getting the mix you think you would. Had a few BSL and their chicks were a cute mess. My RSL had all
most all white male chicks.
 
Scrambles55
I have a 3 year old BSL and she is a sweetheart. I can still pick her up and she is atill laying for me about 3-4 eggs per week. When I introduce a new pullet to the flock, she lets them know who is boss and in a week or two... all is normal.
 
Scrambles55
That is what I like about them. I have a LAV AM who is my broody hen. I am adding one more Lav Am, one BSL and one Red Star. When the hens go broody... eggs go way down.
 
hellbender
This might be your last year with sex-links. They are excellent production birds but lazy and will hang around the house...eating. And...they will be 'spent' in about 18 months. But in the meantime...they should cover you up in eggs!!!

Good luck!
 
RareDuck
There are people who have Black Sex links that layed at 8 or 9 years of age. I have 14 of them. They are not lazy and love to forage. Read the other reviews. You will probably be happy with them for many years.
 
Gino1126
One thing I've learned over the years is that any breed of chicken can have that odd broody hen. I've even seen Leghorns go broody and hatch chicks and raise them with that protective instinct.
 
Roosting Robin
This is wonderful news! I ordered 6 on a whim, coming with 10 red sex links, but I never hear anything about the black ones. Good to know I didn't make a mistake, maybe only that I ordered too few!
 
gabbychickens4
i have a one too! but just note that they can be quite noisy, but they are certainly great producers. also have an attractive feathers. good luck in raising them!:)
 
tmlpike
I have a black sex link named "Black Beauty". I laughed when I read as your con :"Don't really go broody", because my girl goes broody almost every other month! haha :p Oh well, every chicken is different :)
 
Michael OShay
The best chickens I have ever had are Black Sex (also known as Black Stars). They are friendly, docile, and the best layers of eggs that I have had, laying well even through cold, winter weather. I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a good, dual purpose chicken.
 
bantybabylover
dont forget they are curious, i have a 6 week old that is so funny. she is already into a pattern, when she sees me, she runs up, stands in front of me and waits for me to pick her up, but runs from me, then does the same thing over and over. what a hoot they are. love them
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
Added by
Reeses Peepers
Views
249,959
Watchers
23
Comments
148
Reviews
97
Last update
Rating
4.15 star(s) 100 ratings

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