Black Sex Link Variation

[island hens]

I have a 7 month old Black Sex-Link hen that is beautiful. Most people who visit my flock comment on how she is the prettiest bird I have. She's got tough competition, too (Dominique, RIR, Black Copper Marans, Welsummer, Speckled Sussex).

I have learned that the BSL is either a RIR or New Hampshire rooster bred to a Plymouth Barred Rock hen. But in seeing photos of many BSLs online, makes me wonder if there are other potential parental stock to create BSLs, or is there just a lot of offspring variation among the RIR/NH - PBR cross? I am interested in learning if i can find another BSL that looks like mine, or is it just a roll of the dice.

Attached are photos of "Gwen", our 7 month old BSL

 

[Aapomp831]

I have 20 BSL chicks that are 6 weeks old, and they all look different. Some are mostly black, then others have beautiful orange / yellow feathers. It’s pouring right now but when it lets up I’ll go take some pics. Our first batch of BSLs were the same - one of them I was convinced was a completely different breed bc she was huge and had so many beautiful colored feathers as compared to her hatch mates - but according to the experts here on this site she was just an regular ole’ BSL. She was beautiful, though. We unfortunately just lost her to sour crop.

 

[Aapomp831]

That’s her as a chick, 3 years ago

 

[island hens]

That second photo in the post above looks a lot like my hen when she was younger. Here's a photo of mine when she was 2 wee ks old. Thanks for the reply and photos of your BSL pullets and their variation. Great looking birds.

 

[Aapomp831]

You’re welcome, and thank you as well! Your little baby girl looks just like mine, it’s like I’m looming in my own brooder

 

[Aapomp831]

Ok so here are some examples of the variation in feather coloring that can exist between 20 chicks in the same hatch. These guys are 6 weeks

 

[island hens]

Wow. That's quite a variety of plumage coloring. All beautiful. I bet they make an interesting looking flock when all together.

 

[CrazyCochin]

I have a 7 month old Black Sex-Link hen that is beautiful. Most people who visit my flock comment on how she is the prettiest bird I have. She's got tough competition, too (Dominique, RIR, Black Copper Marans, Welsummer, Speckled Sussex).

I have learned that the BSL is either a RIR or New Hampshire rooster bred to a Plymouth Barred Rock hen. But in seeing photos of many BSLs online, makes me wonder if there are other potential parental stock to create BSLs, or is there just a lot of offspring variation among the RIR/NH - PBR cross? I am interested in learning if i can find another BSL that looks like mine, or is it just a roll of the dice.

Attached are photos of "Gwen", our 7 month old BSLView attachment 2314187View attachment 2314188View attachment 2314188View attachment 2314189View attachment 2314189

we have had only one BSL in our chicken lifetime, but she was all black with only gold on her chin.

 

[Sahraschweiss]

I have 5 black sex links. 3 are all black and two have color.