my new and 1st sex link chicks:)

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Cute chicks and I hope you get lots of pretty eggs!

But your "poultry expert" is buying and reselling chicks that he/she bought from a hatchery, i.e. the middle man. Probably cheaper to order your own next time. Sex links are called sex links because their coloring announces their gender at their hatch. Vent sexing would be a very expensive and unneeded expense.

BTW, "barnyard mutts and mixes" have been some of my best layers. One laid almost for 14 years! The oldest I have right now is 6 years and still lays daily. Yes, they take a break for moulting, but that a needed break for them. Give the hens a chance and care for them well, chances are they will serve you well!

Good luck, hope the girls treat you to a set of yummy eggs!

ETA: Sex links are very productive, darn near egg laying machines.

 

[cpwhip]

Thank you all. I'm new to this and I need direction, I wasn't sure what kind of chickens to get. so what is Heritage?
I like these chicks so far they are really sweet and seem to like me too. so when they molt they are no longer egg layers?
sorry I'm confused. I wish there was a good link that tells me all I need to know about all the different breeds.
so maybe I shouldn't get anymore of the RSL then 8 is enough and maybe get another breed that lays steady and for longer?
what about multi purpose? I like the Bar rocks I think there called and Brahma, also Plymouth rock.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Please don't take me wrong. There's nothing wrong with the sex links, at all. Mine are a tad bit flighty, but I chalk that up to having been raised by a broody hen - I bought the chicks and stuck them under my broody in place of her infertile eggs. Pretty birds.

Here's some info. on the heritage breeds:

http://www.albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/definition.html

Chickens do lay again after their molt, the amount of time it takes to molt and start laying again is an individual thing; varies from chicken to chicken. My brahma girls have gone through three adult molts and are back to laying again. They are by far my favorite breed.

Have you seen Henderson's Chicken Chart? It will give you some basic information about the different breeds:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Also, feathersite.com:

http://www.feathersite.com/

Enjoy your girls

 

[cpwhip]

excellent thank you gritsar I will read all those links!
I do tend to lean toward the Brahmas as well

 

[gritsar]

The only thing I disagree with the Breeds Conservatory on is the statements that brahmas don't do well in southern climates. Mine have done extremely well. Also, my brahmas have free ranged since they were small chicks and foraging makes up about 95% of their diet.

 

[Lady Chickadee]

Cute!

I have three red sex-links but they haven't started laying yet, but I've been told they lay really good.

Good luck with your girls!

 

[Pele]

Quote:
You'll get a lot of confusing and conflicting information because breed choice is a matter of personal choice, and influenced by individual opinion.

Sex-links don't just suddenly 'turn off' after the first year. True, their egg production goes down, but most people arn't keeping chickens with the intention of turning a profit. I personally feel that they deserve a bit of a break for a molt after churning out over 300 eggs in a year each.

It is true that heritage breeds do lay more consistantly into their old age, but even they slow production after the first year as a general rule. It's just the way of life to lose fertility over time, and it happens to all animals, including humans.

I personally do not get heritage chickens because I do not want to chance getting roosters, and I want lots of BIG eggs. Not to mention that hybrids are genetically very healthy and less prone to disease.

It's all about your goals, what you value in a chicken, and what you like/dislike in personality. I love my sex-link girls, and am already up to my ears in eggs in their 18th week (some heritage chickens can take up to a year to lay, or more!).

Just do a bit of research, apply your own preferences, and get your chickens!

 

[The Turken Lady]

They're cuties!!

 

[cpwhip]

I think what I like in the sexlinks so far is how nice they are I've had them 12 days today and already they know my voice
when I call them on the way to the coop they come running they are letting pet their backs when they eat and take food from
my hand thats the personality I love! but these are the only chickens I've ever had so I have nothing to compare them to.
as far as goals we love eggs but multi purpose "meat bird"is great as well and I love the thought of helping to keep family and friends in eggs
and maybe even donate to a charity but I will have to look into that I have no clue if there's laws and what not. I also make homemade dog food and the 1st ingredient is chicken most of the time so nothing would go to waste..I didn't know they are less prone to disease
thats a great benefit as well. I was told that after a chicken is 2 years old they no longer are good to eat is that true?

 

[Dragynn]

Your babies look great! No doubt going to be spoiled rotten like mine are

My first were barred rocks, wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone, both of mine laid easily 300 eggs each their first year of laying. Hardy birds, great mamas to baby chicks too as I have found out recently.

The term "barnyard mutts" makes me sad, some of my best and most beautiful birds are crosses/hybrids.

Adding to the database: My light Brahmas are doing just fine in the record heatwave here in Texas, I provide plenty of shade and fresh water (sometimes they stand in it for a minute to cool their feet), and occasionally some cold treats from the fridge. Man, can those birds ever eat! My brahma rooster is like a big lumbering baby huey that's always hungry, he bowls over the other birds like a bowling ball through pins to get treats from me. By far the sweetest birds I have, very gentle and never really complain about being picked up/handled.