Are Red Stars as Good as They Say?

[aoxa]

I have a one year old production red hen named Penny (same as red star), and she is FANTASTIC. Friendly, laying every day for 4 weeks now without missing a beat! She's also a flock favourite with the kids around the neighbourhood!

 

[hlf1996]

We live in Kansas where we get a lot of snow. We have RIRs, red sexlinks, black sexlinks, barred rocks, and a d'uccle, OEGBs, and mor eggs in the incubator. The sexlinks are by the most social. They also do very well in the heat and cold when they are in their runs but we have a heater in the coop. Anyway more about the red sexlinks

, they lay large light brown/medium brown eggs and they lay every day. Great chicken breed!

 

[acy0029]

I have two from McMurray and they started laying at 14 1/2 and 15 weeks they lay the darkest brown and largest of all my hens and they are just as friendly as my New Hampshire's(very friendly easy to pickup and hold). I am thinking about ordering six more next spring.

 

[animalsRawesome]

WOW! I guesse it is unanimous then! I do have a question though... A few of you said you have mixed flocks. How does everyone tell WHO lays in their flock? Or are you keeping your breeds seperate?

 

[Sassafras]

I have some brown layers but the red stars seem to have a darker brown egg than the wyandottes or even the black sex links so it is pretty easy for me to tell. I really recommend the Red Stars. My two are the sweetest, easy going super layers I have.

 

[hennyannie]

I try to always keep some RSLs in my flock, they do lay some whopper eggs, and also they seem to me to eat less than some of my other breeds.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm not impressed with their egg laying or hardiness...had twelve of them and it wasn't long before they were culled from my flock for nonlaying and health issues~dull, ratty looking feathering that never really recovered from molt, not meaty enough builds, etc. They only last a couple of years, if that. I like to get good layers that will continue that good laying for more than two years....who can afford to replace a layer flock every two years?

Not me.

I'll never get another Red Star/Black Star combo bird as I breed for flock sustainability as well as laying efficacy. Don't get me wrong, they are nice and inquisitive birds...but you can't lay eggs and thrive on "nice".

 

[Islandlife]

I have 3 Red Star from Murray McM. They all started laying at 14.5 weeks of age and have not slowed down since. Am getting 3 eggs most days from 3 chickens. They're friendly and inquisitive but not super big or sturdy looking birds. They love treats and coping well with the weather here in WA. Not sure how long they will stay laying but they are great layers and easy keepers (to me).

 

[riane'smimi]

Quote:
Mine are sweet birds but like your birds mine are not very good layers at all. I know they are molting right now but this summer was a hit and miss with them.I guess that it could all depend on where they come from also as I have heard people say theirs lay like crazy.

 

[animalsRawesome]

riane'smimi :

Quote:
Mine are sweet birds but like your birds mine are not very good layers at all. I know they are molting right now but this summer was a hit and miss with them.I guess that it could all depend on where they come from also as I have heard people say theirs lay like crazy.

Where did both of you get yours from?​