Hens black sex link or bared rock?

[lhines08]

Wondering if anyone can tell if the black and white hens are barred rock or black sex link. Have been told my rooster looks to be a black sex link

 

[HappyDuckie]

The hens are definitely not black sex links. Black sex link hens are black with red/gold leakage.
I think they look like barred rocks.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Good question! Black Sexlinks are specific mixes designed to create chicks/chickens whose genders are easily distinguishable. Black Sexlink hens look very different from roosters. I included a picture found online of a BSL hen and rooster for comparison. Your hens are Barred Rocks. The reason your rooster is likely a BSL or another mixed breed is due to the poor barring and color leakage.

 

[Curnow]

Barred Rocks. The hens can be used in making Black Sex Links.

 

[lhines08]

Barred Rocks. The hens can be used in making Black Sex Links.

What do you mean by that ? My son does plan to try and hatch some eggs!

 

[lhines08]

Good question! Black Sexlinks are specific mixes designed to create chicks/chickens whose genders are easily distinguishable. Black Sexlink hens look very different from roosters. I included a picture found online of a BSL hen and rooster for comparison. Your hens are Barred Rocks. The reason your rooster is likely a BSL or another mixed breed is due to the poor barring and color leakage.

Wow so much different. Thank you !!

 

[HappyDuckie]

What do you mean by that ? My son does plan to try and hatch some eggs!

If you breed a non-barred rooster to the barred females, the offspring can be sexed at hatch from their head spots.

 

[lhines08]

If you breed a non-barred rooster to the barred females, the offspring can be sexed at hatch from their head spots.

Thank you. We are learning ! Is there threads explaining the head spots?

 

[HappyDuckie]

Thank you. We are learning ! Is there threads explaining the head spots?

I think there are a few- I still have trouble remembering, I can try to search one up for you.

 

[HappyDuckie]

Here’s one I found: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/verifying-sex-links.1429148/
Someone else may be able to help better.