My Red Sex-Link Rant

[lizzie201296]

My red sex-link is now an internal layer ( we suspect) which is a shame because she is very nice....quite shy, but then we only have two so it's hard to tell how she would be with lots of birds. But it's very sad to think that she will most likely die soon

If I'd known that, we wouldn't have got the red sex-link. We got 3 hybrid / mixed breeds, one black, one white (which died last year) and this one... Not sure what the other two are / were - only been told about her being a red sex-link because of the internal laying. What is it that makes them prone to internal laying? Or is it just something that happens?
L

 

[UBkevy]

It happens to all breeds from what I understand. But with the Hybrids producing sooooo many eggs sooo fast it just happens more often. I have had 25 chickens 1 Red sex-link internally laid, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte laid its insides out and 1 Rhode Island Red just dropped dead. I would also say cull her now, mine suffered for 5 days before I put her down... they will linger in pain for a long time and its just not fair to watch them hurt.

 

[velittlechik]

You all have me a bit worried. I have 14 red star sex link that should start laying within a month. Some of them are friendly and some are a bit aggressive, there are a few that split away from the group and seem to be kind of loners. It'll kill me if they have the egg laying trouble you spoke of and I sure did'nt know they don't live as long. I figured 5 years anyway. I got mine from Cackle Hatchery. Does anyone know the difference between Red Sex Link and Red Star Sex Link? They advertised both and stated that the Red Sex LInk was Rhode Island Red Rooster and Delaware Hen. But did not say about the Red Star Sex LInk. The hens I have are quite varied in coloration. Will try to get a picture of them on here tomorrow.

 

[UBkevy]

for what I know the red sex links are a Rhode island red crossed to either, White Rock, Rhode Island white, Delaware or a white leghorn. I had golden comets and red sex-links the ones that where the most white seemed the most aggressive and had the most issues for me. The best chickens I have had so far are Barred Rocks just wish they laid more

 

[wingsofglory]

I'm sorry it isn't going well with your red sex links. Good rant!

It takes so much time and effort and worry and money to get the chicks up to laying age, and then all the effort to get them to lay in the nest box and not eat their eggs, THEN they develop health problems or other problems - I loved my Comet's personalities and that I could sit visiting children down and set a Comet on each of their laps and all were delighted; even the other Comets flew up on the kids heads and shoulders to get in on it. But I won't have them again. Fought thin shellls for over a year. Gave them oyster shell right from the start, and in a mixed flock of 30, only the Comet's (and later another flock the Production Reds) shells cracked or broke, so it wasn't a problem with the layer feed. The Easter Egger turquoise eggs were always good, but I'd have to throw away a quarter to half the brown eggs. The broken eggs in the nest taught them ALL to eat eggs so it was over for them all.

I'm researching now for a new flock I'm putting together. I like to cook with the large to extra large eggs, or I would just have Easter Eggers whose eggs seem to be smaller than six years ago in my first flock.

Am thinking of getting Delawares for the xlarge brown eggs and some people say the Dellies are mean to the other chickens. So then Black Sex Links and hope they don't have the problems. The Russian Orloff thread here on BYC says they lay really large eggs and a lot of them the first year, then go broody a lot the second year - which might be perfect because they could brood the other breeds new layers and the summers meat chicks.

Barred Rocks, Buff Orps, and Brahmas are dependable and I liked them, and want to try new ones too. Didn't care for wyandottes even though I thought they'd be my favorites.

A local fellow is crossing Easter Eggers with Production Blacks for the extra large eggs and having good success. They also lay well in the alaska winters. It makes
barred Easter Eggers.

 

[velittlechik]

Thanks UBKevy for the info on the breeding involved about sex links. Som of mine look like the Golden Comets I think. I really have to go get a picture of them all.
I agree about the barred rocks, I had them many years ago and they were very docile especially compared to the RI Reds I had. Depending on how this flock turns out, I may try them next. We are having horrendous heat now for the last couple of weeks and looks like for quite a while to come. So I am thinking my birds may not lay as soon as I had hoped they are dropping so many feathers it's like as if they are molting and I know it is too soon.

 

[Pele]

Wow, you could tip me over with a feather I'm so shocked! I am the proud mama of 5 sex-links, and they all are the most calm, docile, curious, and laid back birds ever! They don't even bother with a pecking order, and I've had Cochins that were more aggressive than my girls. They parade around the yard after me when I go out, and love to tap my back door for treats. What a bunch of sweeties.

I think what we're running into is bad hatcheries with bad stock. That's very interesting that there's such a variety of experiences.

 

[ChicksterJo]

Out of 4 original red sex links that I purchased in February, only two have made the "final cut," so to speak. I am seriously thinking about culling just one more, because she is a meanie. She was the runt of the pack, hence the name 'Runt Red.' Now she pecks me, pecks the other chickens, big and small (except for her 'sister,' Scratch, the other Red Sex link). She will try to keep my leghorns away from the feed and treats. She's also quite loud and obnoxious. But she used to be so sweet, sitting in the palm of my hand or on my lap, quietly peeping. I don't know what happened, but now I feel bad about culling her so I don't. I'll just separate her from the others until she gets demoted a couple times.

 

[Taylorhens]

I got started with chickens the first of this year with 5 young EE chicks. In March, I got impatient waiting for them to get old enough to produce eggs, so I went out and found a RSL hen that was a year old. I bought her and introduced her to my young 'uns with absolutely no issues. She actually teaches them a lot of stuff, like it's okay to eat yogurt, lol. She is my favorite chicken today, very docile, good layer, gets along with everyone including my young roos and me.

With me, it's my buff orpingtons (acquired later) that are causing me grief. They are bullies and obsessed with the crests on my polish (also acquired later, but same age). Twice they have pecked my Polish's heads bloody until I separated everyone. Luckily the Polish were not badly injured since I caught it fairly quickly. Still, I am not fond of "the little blond monsters" as I call them.

So I guess it all really just depends on the individual chickens.

 

[ChicksterJo]

Yes I agree...my golden red sex link is the nicest RSL that I had of the 4. The other three - mean and easily spooked. But it is the individual chicken's personality that matters.