How would you know the difference?

[Linda in San Diego]

Between Red Sex Linked or Rhode Island Reds?

We got the assortment of chicks, our Delightful Dozen from a feed store. There was some confusion when the chicks came in and now I am wondering if there is a way to tell the difference.

 

[TundraChick]

my RIR is much "redder" than the red sex links. Also the sex links have some small white feathers the RIR is all red.

 

[Guitartists]

I dunno... looking at Feathersite... it looks like the RIR are a bit softer overall pattern-wise with a more uniform red back and light belly as to where the red sex-links look a little more brown and stronger in their markings. Darned close though.

 

[rooster-red]

Red sex links have a white undercoat of feathers.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
Undercoat like feathers under the red feathers or on the belly? I do see the McMurray catalogue says Red Star have flecks of white throughout.

That's what is making me think RIR instead of Red Star - I don't see any white feathers...LOL It makes not one bit of difference, I just want to know.

 

[rooster-red]

White feathers under the red feathers, as in if you lift up the red feathers you'll see white.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
Time to catch a chicken or 3

 

[speckledhen]

Many times with hatchery RIRs, there isn't alot of difference, especially if you get a sexlink with not that much white on her. A breeder quality RIR doesn't even look like the same breed as a hatchery RIR most of the time. Also, sexlinks are usually lighter weight birds; still, there are too many lightweight RIRs produced by the hatcheries. Overall, it's like Lee says, the sexlink has lots of white on her usually.

 

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

Here is my red sex link at 10 weeks.

You can see her white underfeathers on her tail. I would call her more orangey red or browny red than really red red.

If that makes any sense!!