New chick in the coop

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GAchickennewbie said:
Red gene rooster with a silver gene hen? Not to hijack, but could you explain this please? I'm still trying to understand more about hybrids.
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The color genes are responsible for the particular feather coloring of the chicken. In the case of Red Sex Links such as your Golden Comet, a male with the red feathered gene (either a Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, or a Production Red) is crossed with a female with a silver feathered gene (such as a Rhode Island White, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Delware, Light Sussex, ect.). The genetics of how it happens is complicated but in simple terms the silver feathered gene is dominant in the male chicks so that they are whitish or silvery colored when they hatch, and the red feathered gene is dominant in the female chicks so that they are reddish colored when they hatch. This color distinction remains with them throughout their lives. Red Sex Link roosters are whitish with a little reddish feathering in the saddle area, and Red Sex Link hens are reddish with white underfluff and usually some white feathers in the tail area.
 
Thanks for the info on the golden comets. Always love learning more about the girls. @Michael OShay could you explain why the red sex links have greater egg production rates than their parents. Genetics is a fascinating albeit complicated subject.
 
Honey B said:
Thanks for the info on the golden comets. Always love learning more about the girls. @Michael OShay could you explain why the red sex links have greater egg production rates than their parents. Genetics is a fascinating albeit complicated subject.
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I'm no expert on the subject, but it's a phenomenon known as heterosis or outbreeding enhancement in which the traits of the offspring are enhanced as a result of a beneficial mixing of the genetic contributions of the parents. It rests in the differences between the uniting gametes — at least within certain limits — that stimulates the whole organism. The same effect can be seen in Black Sex Links which are produced by crossing a red gene rooster with a barred gene hen. Like the Red Sex Links, not only can the Black Sex Links be sexed by color at hatching, but they are also egg laying machines, outlaying either parent breed. Another example of heterosis in chickens is seen in the Cornish cross, which is the bird used for commercial meat production. Cornish cross are produced by crossing a Cornish rooster with a White Rock hen. The resulting offspring grow at a fantastic rate, much faster than either parent breed, and are ready for butchering at only 8 weeks. There are downsides to heterosis however. Because they put so much energy into laying, the sex links typically have a shorter laying life than their purebred parents, and in the case of the Cornish cross, the Cornish cross begin to suffer from health problems at a very early age due to their abnormal growth rate.
 
So are sex links born with the same number of ova as their parents and just lay eggs in a more expident manner. (Hence wearing out quicker.) Or are they born with more ova than their parents? This discussion might impact my next chicken purchase! Thanks for your knowledgeable responses @Michael OShay
 
Honey B said:
So are sex links born with the same number of ova as their parents and just lay eggs in a more expident manner. (Hence wearing out quicker.) Or are they born with more ova than their parents? This discussion might impact my next chicken purchase! Thanks for your knowledgeable responses @Michael OShay
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There is no difference in the reproductive system of the parent breeds, or the offspring in the case of sex links. As you stated, they just lay eggs in a more expedient manner, hence the wearing out quicker. How much quicker they wear out also varies from individual to individual. In order to keep my egg supply at a peak rate, I order new sex links every couple of years and sell off the older ones. Interestingly enough, I have found that my Black Sex Links actually tend to lay slightly more in really cold winter weather than my Red Sex Links, and they tend to have a little longer lay rate than my RSLs. I don't have an explanation for the difference, it's just an observation based on meticulous egg counts.
 
Welcome to BYC!
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We're glad to have you.
 
Thanks for sharing your observations. I really appreciate the info. I am addicted to optimization in my life and that naturally applies to my chicken plans. Although...the chickens have really reminded me to slow down and enjoy the little things. Chickens truly are good for the soul. @Michael OShay
 

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