New to site and have a question

[Ronnie154]

I went to tractor supply to get 6 barred rock hens but they were out. So I got 6 black sex links and then my 3 yo daughter begged for 2 white leghorns. I know nothing about either breed. How will the do together and how many eggs should I get a year from these 8 hens? Thanks

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I went to tractor supply to get 6 barred rock hens but they were out. So I got 6 black sex links and then my 3 yo daughter begged for 2 white leghorns. I know nothing about either breed. How will the do together and how many eggs should I get a year from these 8 hens? Thanks

Welcome to BYC!!!!
Both will be great producers. White Leghorns are the production breed of choice for white eggs sold commercially. Black sex links are fantastic producers of large brown eggs - 5-6 eggs per week, per hen. With these two breeds you will be swimming in eggs!
Both are single combed birds and the WL will have an especially large comb, which in certain climates can leave them vulnerable to frost bite.
Their flock dyamics will depend in large part in their environment - providing ample space per bird will help to reduce the chances of behavioral issues.

 

[Ronnie154]

Thank you very much for the reply. I live in East Tennessee so frostbite shouldn't be an issue. I have 6ft by 4ft heated hen house with 5 laying boxes and 2 6ft long roost. The outdoor run is about 20ft long by 6ft wide. I also have a fenced in back yard yard that is about 3/4 of an acre that they can roam in when I am home. But I have heard the white leghorns can be kinda flighty. Should I let them scratch around in the back yard or keep them put up?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined our "flock!"

Both sex-links and Leghorns should be very productive, with many averaging an egg nearly every day. The sex-links will lay brown eggs, while the Leghorns will lay large white eggs. Sex-links tend to be gentle, friendly birds. Leghorns are often somewhat flighty.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

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[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. Your White Leghorns and Black Sex Links will get along fine together as long as they are raised together and are not overcrowded. These two breeds (technically BSLs are hybrids and not actually a breed), along with Red Sex Links, are the best layers in the chicken world and both should consistently give you more than 300 eggs per hen per year. As far as temperament with children goes, the Black Sex Links are definitely better in that regard than the White Leghorns, which are high strung and flighty. My White Leghorns screamed bloody murder whenever I handled them (It's why I don't have Leghorns in my flock anymore). I still have Black Sex Links in my flock and they are my favorites; very hardy and friendly hens. ) Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your BSLs and WLs.

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC! Congrats on your new birds. Handling them a lot when they are young will help your birds get more comfortable with you. Give them time to get used to their new surroundings before you turn them out to free range. Good luck!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined our community.

Black Sex-Links and White Leghorns should get along pretty well together. Between both breeds, you'll get a lot of eggs! If you want to read more about Sex-Links and White Leghorns, check out their breed reviews:

Leghorn
Black Sex Link chicken

 

[Ronnie154]

Thank you all so much for the reply's