Can anyone explain the term "sex-link"?

[QuackerJackFarms]

So what would the real purpose of doing this? Just to tell the pullets from the roosters quickly?
My brain is on an overload right now.

So if TCS sells mainly sex-links, is this so whatever hatchery they use can sort out the pullets easily? And if that's the case, how are they able to sell them as any one true breed? Because they sold me RIR's but... they just don't look like them.

Let me see if I have a pic.. I know we're on the duck thread, but it kinda goes hand in hand. Ok, it's a bad pic cuz I was really getting a picture of my mallard drake.

 

[Senna95]

Your hen looks like a "Red Star", or red sex-linked. They use a red rooster and a white hen (several varieties are used) And yes, it's mostly a convenience thing. Easy to tell the sexes apart when they're young so you don't put a lot of time, effort, and money into raising a big bunch of roosters (kind of sad, isn't it?).

Also, it adds "hybrid vigor".

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Thanks for the info. I'm a little disappointed with TSC for selling me the wrong birds. They also sold me that mallard in the pic disquised as a Rouen. When it flew over the house I started thinking.. "hmmmm.... something's fishy here."