Layer breed recommendations and questions about Red-sexlinks:

[Hatch in chicks]

So my question is if I buy 50 Red sex-link chicks, (pullets) and then I breed them to a Red sex-link rooster. Will the chicks have the same egg-laying abilities as the hens? I realize that Red sex-links will not breed true. (because they are hybrids) I also know that to breed Red sex-links:
Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, or Production Red
CROSS
Rhode Island White, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Delaware, and Light Sussex. (silver gene hen)
So has anyone ever crossed a Red sex-link with a Red sex-link. I would like to see some pictures of them and know how well they lay. Also I have never had Delawares are they very good layers? Which is usually a more popular breed? Black sex-link vs. Red sex-link
Thank you!

 

[Hatch in chicks]

I like the color of the Black Stars better... but I read somewhere that Red Stars lay better? Is this true?

 

[Hatch in chicks]

@Gray Farms @GirlsHuntToo @Ponyiqandhens2 @U_Stormcrow
@Allsfairinloveandbugs @Goat LOVER @Sc_chickengirl @Squawkers
(just typed in random names thank you! haha)

 

[Hatch in chicks]

Also does anyone have any recommendations for starting a 50 hen layer flock. Suggestions on breeds, predator proofing, feed, water, etc.?

 

[Yardmom]

Sorry no one has responded yet. I have not had red sex links. I have had a couple Delaware. They layed ok, but Delaware are sometimes bred more for meat production than eggs, so how much they lay will be different on different breeding lines.

 

[Yardmom]

As far managing that many birds, I use do it yourself feeder ports and nipple waterers. I use a plastic garbage can for feed, and multiple 5 gallon buckets for water.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Because they are hybrids, crossing an RSL w/ an RSL results in "unreliable" offspring. Some will be exceptional layers like the parent stock. Most will NOT. They will be good layers, yes, because all of the genetics involved are birds that generally lay well, but probably not as good as the first generation.

Re: Red Star v Black Star, or more generally RSL v BSL, RSL tend to be preferred because they tend to be somewhat smaller birds - so all else being even, they eat less, and thus greater (still small) profit margin potential.

and its hard to get anything other than ranges for RSL and BSL production hens - too many variables make direct comparisons difficult due to the number of assumptions at play in the underlying genetics - plenty of hatcheries have trade names for their sex link crosses which tell you very little about the parent stock, only that they are "red" sex linked or "black" sex linked. I have comets (likely x RIR) and "rainbows" (likely x NHR), both are "red sex link" hybrid layers, and very similar in many ways - but definitely NOT identical.

Delawares aren't bad layers. Some say they are good layers (I've not had any myself), and certainly popular birds. But they aren't nearly as efficient as a production layer hybrid. Tend to be heavier (more food consumed), start laying later, and produce a few fewer eggs per year than a prime production hybrid.

Delawares are used as part of the parent lines for a couple of sex link crosses, i.e, Delaware X RIR or Delaware x NHR (two different RSL varieties. of MANY). The important thing to remember is that the first gen hybrid is bred to be better than EITHER of the parent stock, by combining sex linked genes from both.

Hope that helps???

 

[Hatch in chicks]

Because they are hybrids, crossing an RSL w/ an RSL results in "unreliable" offspring. Some will be exceptional layers like the parent stock. Most will NOT. They will be good layers, yes, because all of the genetics involved are birds that generally lay well, but probably not as good as the first generation.

Re: Red Star v Black Star, or more generally RSL v BSL, RSL tend to be preferred because they tend to be somewhat smaller birds - so all else being even, they eat less, and thus greater (still small) profit margin potential.

and its hard to get anything other than ranges for RSL and BSL production hens - too many variables make direct comparisons difficult due to the number of assumptions at play in the underlying genetics - plenty of hatcheries have trade names for their sex link crosses which tell you very little about the parent stock, only that they are "red" sex linked or "black" sex linked. I have comets (likely x RIR) and "rainbows" (likely x NHR), both are "red sex link" hybrid layers, and very similar in many ways - but definitely NOT identical.

Delawares aren't bad layers. Some say they are good layers (I've not had any myself), and certainly popular birds. But they aren't nearly as efficient as a production layer hybrid. Tend to be heavier (more food consumed), start laying later, and produce a few fewer eggs per year than a prime production hybrid.

Delawares are used as part of the parent lines for a couple of sex link crosses, i.e, Delaware X RIR or Delaware x NHR (two different RSL varieties. of MANY). The important thing to remember is that the first gen hybrid is bred to be better than EITHER of the parent stock, by combining sex linked genes from both.

Hope that helps???

Yes thank you! I am just trying to come up with a solution (replenishing layer flocks without having to buy more chicks). I think I will just stick to White Leghorns, Golden Comets, etc. Thank you!!!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

I don't have very much experience with Sex-link chickens because I don't enjoy raising them because they die so young. @JedJackson would know more than me.
Delawares have an okay egg production rate, but the breed is bred for for meat rather than eggs.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes thank you! I am just trying to come up with a solution (replenishing layer flocks without having to buy more chicks). I think I will just stick to White Leghorns, Golden Comets, etc. Thank you!!!

If you want a layer flock that reliably replaces itself, Leghorns. Just Leghorns.