I had read good things about them and then I started searching on here. I checked the "breeds" section of this site and looked them up. Most of the responses mentioned they have a lot of health issues. I had read also that I could expect to lose 50% of the flock by the end of the 2nd year. I know sometimes people who have bad experiences will talk a lot more then everyone else who is not having problems. Is this a breed to avoid or are the health concerns not as bad as I am reading. The only reason i had considered them is a local breeder has some pullets for sale that are due to start laying in a month or two. I think this year I am going that route instead of starting from chicks.
I know some people who have them with no health problems. I am seriously thinking of adding a few of these or black sex links to my flock this spring to up my egg production. The golden comets I've seen have produced huge eggs.
I don't know if I've simply been lucky or what, but my sex link hens have been fantastic and healthy. Those girls churn out huge brown eggs--they don't fit in the carton sometimes--and never cause me a moment's worry. Now, I don't keep my birds forever most of the time. I age my flock out around 2-3 years old, depending on how they're laying, who I have coming up and who has gone broody. If you're wanting pets with longevity, they may not be the best thing. If you're wanting production and don't mind replacing birds every few years, I'd say they're a good way to go.
Thanks, I will probably give a few of them a try. Not really concerned about the "pet" aspect of it. Hopefully since they are coming from a local breeder and not from the hardware store they might be a little healthier. I don't know if that makes a difference or not??
