Are black sex links nice?

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine was a sweetheart until you picked get up. Also a fierce broody. I miss you, Dino!

 

[BrickCoop15]

Sex links do die early of reproductive issues in my experience. My remaing black sex link is over 9 years old so it is not always the case.

I purchased Bielefelder chicks this year because I did not want to deal with unwanted roosters. They run on the higher side price wise, but the the certainty of getting pullets is worth it to me. They are still young, but so far they are sweet, friendly birds.

 

[chickenn00b11]

Breeds like Bielefelders (Brown eggs) and Crested Cream Legbars (blue eggs!) are what’s called autosexing. Not Sexlinks, but the male and female chicks always looks different. And Barred Rocks, (females are used to make BSLs) they also look different was chicks, but it isn’t quite autosexing to the extent of the two mentioned before.

Interesting...
Are any of these non sex link ones nice and can be sexed when born?

 

[BrickCoop15]

The only one's on the list that can be sexed when born are the sexlinks.

 

[chickenn00b11]

I'll look for more local places to buy chicks and see what they have.

 

[chickenn00b11]

Can Buff Orpingtons be sexed young? I found a place about an hour away with Barred Rocks.

 

[BrickCoop15]

If they are older chicks around 6 to 8 weeks old, accuarately sexing is possible. If only a day old, it is not possible.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I'll look for more local places to buy chicks and see what they have.

If you inquire in store with other breeds, ask if they are straight run. If they are they would end up mix of gender. But if they offer sex link, it automatic knowing which gender.
If you like Black Sex Link, go ahead and get them. They are not bad chickens. They lay a lot and do have reproduction issues as they get older.

I think it the careless of mass breeding genetics of mixing two different breeds. With no concerns about culling our the bad genetics. Hatcheries care more about quantity and quality. That was the goal in creating sex link. To provide consumer a chicken that lay a lot and be able to sex at early age by appearance.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

The only one's on the list that can be sexed when born are the sexlinks.

Not true.

Breeds like Bielefelders (Brown eggs) and Crested Cream Legbars (blue eggs!) are what’s called autosexing. Not Sexlinks, but the male and female chicks always looks different. And Barred Rocks, (females are used to make BSLs) they also look different was chicks, but it isn’t quite autosexing to the extent of the two mentioned before.

 

[BrickCoop15]

I wouldn't be afraid of getting sexlink chickens. They have been some of my sweetest birds.