The proper cross for the black sexlinks (Black Stars, they're marketed as) is a NH over Barred Rock, and I've heard that RIR just doesn't nick quite as well, for whatever reason. I think I'd just like to see them out of quality stock.
I don't know why it's been bouncing around my head, but I've always been curious... Does anyone that breeds to the SOP ever do a sexlink cross here or there? I wonder how they would measure up to the hatchery models. Like, I have Barred Rocks. Wondering if, someday down the line, I picked up...