Black sex link chicks

[mymilliefleur]

The solid black ones, and the black ones with the reddish coloring on their necks look like typical black sexlink pullets. It is possible that the ones with the white spots are BSL cockerels. You mentioned you had gotten another breed. The white spotted ones could just be another barred or cuckoo breed and not necessarily BSL cockerels.However while sexlinks can be accurately sexed by just about anyone, Most breeds are very difficult to sex (hatcheries hire special experts to sex their chicks) and I would be very suspicious of a backyard breeder claiming to have chicks sexed with 100% accuracy. I would not want to jump to any conclusions though, maybe he buys sexed pullets from a hatchery and resells them. I suppose time will tell.

 

[Chelsnb90]

Thanks for all of the info! I really appreciate it! I guess I will be back on here in a few weeks to see what y'all think as they are growing!

 

[mymilliefleur]

Thanks for all of the info! I really appreciate it! I guess I will be back on here in a few weeks to see what y'all think as they are growing!

Definitely do that. We'd be glad to help you sex them.

 

[debid]

Some people call 2nd generation chicks "sexlinks" as if it's a breed. It only works the first generation, though. That actually would be preferable to him selling you all male sexlinks but it still leaves you with approximately half males. And, a cuckoo male has a small headspot like a barred female so it will be weeks until you know for certain what you ended up with.

ETA: mymilliefleur brought up a good point. I interpreted what you said to mean ALL the chicks have headspots and were sold as sexlink females. But, if you have sexlinks and another barred or cuckoo breed, you may end up with mostly females after all. Fingers crossed.

 

[Chelsnb90]

I am now thinking.... maybe the guy does not breed them? And bought them in bulk or something? I'm not sure. I am hoping he didn't lie to my face. If he did, I will definitely be going back to ask him to please let me exchange them or something! He had a ton of baby chicks... so MAYBE he did purchase them to resell and made sure to get only hens? Lol. Can y'all tell I am trying to convince myself they are hens!?!? Hahaha. Who knows. I will continue loving in my chickies and praying they are all girls!!

Also, they are 2 different breeds, I apologize for the confusion! The ones without the white spot, I can not remember the name! They are solid black.. apparently I just need to make a trip back to this guys house and double check myself. I truly did not want my first flock to have any roosters as I have heard so many horror stories about roosters. Not to mention, I watched my little brother get attacked by one when we were kids, scarred me for life! Lol!!

Question, forgive my ignorance because google has not helped me much.... Is there a specific way to tell the sex at this age? They aren't even 2 weeks old yet. Maybe I just need to be patient. And a totally off topic question, right now I am feeding my chicks "starter feed" and have put electrolytes/probiotics in their water. Can they eat any kind of snacks yet? Or should I wait for their little digestive systems to build up better before I introduce them to any kind of fruit or veggie? I did feed them scrambled eggs the other day and they went nuts! The reason I was okay doing that was because the guy I got them from said he had already been giving them boiled eggs.. Thank y'all so so so much!!! I am so very glad I joined this site now, this is amazing!!!!

 

[debid]

I hope for you that you've got them backward and the black ones without spots are your sexlinks and the white spot ones are barred Rocks... And that he ordered a bunch of chicks from a hatchery planning to resell the extras. When you buy chicks to be shipped, you have to get 25 most places.

 

[debid]

If that's the case, the sexlinks would be female and the Rocks you could get a good idea by coloration really early. That's what the previous poster referenced by the size/shape of the headspots.

 

[Chelsnb90]

Maybe I do have them backwards? I don't know. I'm so new to this and was so infatuated with the chicks that I was only half listening when he was telling us all of that. Dangit. Who knows. I guess time will tell. LOL. But I hope so too!! I really wanted all hens!!

 

[lazy gardener]

You can always call him back.

 

[Chelsnb90]

I don't have his number, would need to go back to his house. Just spoke to my husband and he said the farmer had told him that he bought the chicks from a hatchery in OK. So I'm thinking maybe he ordered all hens and that is why he told us that is all he had! I did not know that. Thanks for the info!!