Need help from the experts here--what is she?

[TigerLilly]

She was kind of an 'extra' (more chicken math) when I went to pick up 3 more buff orpingtons today...I was told she is a "Red Star" and NOT a RIR. Not that I would know the diff at this point. She is about 3 years old & except for the 'rooster marks' on her back, I thought she was pretty. I also didn't want to leave her as the only hen with what seems to be a very active roo!

Any ideas what she is? I tried looking for the Red Star under breeds & sub breeds & it's not there. Maybe I should google it.

 

[AinaWGSD]

A "Red star" is one of the many names for red sex-links. There's a thread around here somewhere on the various sex links and what combination of breeds are commonly used.

 

[cpegram]

definatly a red star or red sex link a cross of a RIR roo and a delaware hen.....made for a high production of eggs brown ones...here are a couple of pics of mine....I have 4 of them TSC told me they were RIR when i got them as chicks out of the bin....

 

[TigerLilly]

That was quick--thank you both! Yours are very pretty, newegg!
So now I know where to start.

 

[TigerLilly]

Well, I was wrong about that...are they called something else besides 'red star' & 'red sex links?' Neither are listed in the breeds/sub breeds sections.
And I thought the chicken math part of this was hard!

 

[cpegram]

they will not be in the breeds or sub breeds.....they are not considered a breed....search on here google red star or red sex link.........they are just considered a cross but one that is made to be super egg layers

 

[speckledhen]

Sex links can be red, black or gold color, depending on the cross that made them. Red Star is a trade name, like Golden Comet, Black Star, etc. They are all hybrid layers, bred so that males and females hatch a slightly different color and can be ID'd immediately.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

comets maybe? NH reds?

 

[TigerLilly]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in & helped me out! I googled it & got some good info. Now, my question is this:
If she's already about 3 yrs old, will she lay anymore? How long do good production hens lay in the average 'backyard chicken coop?'

 

[mississippifarmboy]

The sexlinks I've had hit the laying peak around the second year and production drops a bit every year after that. I have had hens MUCH older than three years that still layed enough to keep me happy. Depends on the individual hen though, some stop almost completly by the third or fourth year.
I've read that production drops I think 20% a year? can't remember.
I'd give her a chance, see what she does.