Black Sex Link vs Other Barred - How to tell

[Menmyrc]

Thanks to those that responded to my query regarding "Which Barred Is This?". Chris said it is a Black Sex Link. I am a total noob at this, so please help educate me! What do you see that tells you Black Sex Link? What should I look for as this chick grows to help determine this? I know he's a boy - at least if the head spot thing is the same for BSLs as other Barreds. Not to mention, he was free! If he turns out to be a Cuckoo Marans, I will consider buying some hens worthy of him. If he's a BSL, then I will probably send him to Freezer Camp.

 

[speckledhen]

When they are babies, you can't really tell. Black sexlink males have a head spot, black sex link females do not. BOTH BR sexes have head spots. Later, the irregular barring on the BSL male and the extra white, and sometimes brown or green off color feathers, will tell you it's a BSL.

 

[jeslewmazer]

Also the leg color can be an indicator. Sexlinks are crosses so in turn can have a variety of leg color. This ranges from solid yellow, solid black, and yellow and black combination. I have owned and still do own some BSL. Right now I have 5 BSL chicks but I only have pullets, but I have owned a few roos before. Here are pics of my pullets. See the different coloration of their legs.

Yes this last one has 6 toes on her right foot and 4 toes on the left. That is how she come and seems to have no problem getting around, and shows no signs of pain.
I don't own any of the other barred breeds, so I could only look them up to see.

 

[Menmyrc]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. This guy has very pink feet, at least for now. The same color as the BOs.