The DeKalb Black
DeKalb acquired Sturtevant Farms in 1969 and the main product the Sturdy Link 527. This was
marketed as the DeKalb “Sturdy Link” 527. According to a Sturtevant Farms brochure in the mid
60’s “the black sex-link pullet had became the most popular of all brown egg producing birds in
the USA and especially New England. The Black Sex Link and especially the Sturtevant cross had
increased in popularity because of their great resistance to leucosis and exceptional ability to lay
a lot of large, brown eggs”. In the early 1990’s the 527 became the Black. It was marketed as a
quasi dual-purpose layer produced from Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock parents. It 20
was marketed in some areas such as Latin America. There was also a growing market for this
bird in the US with an expanding Asian population that preferred a black-feathered chicken to
eat. \
Of course these birds were developed for commercial production. I am not stating whether these birds are good nor bad. This information was from Hendrix Genetics.
I have read that Hybrids while not as hardy as pure breeds, do lay more eggs. Is one better than another? I'm to old to research it even for myself.
DeKalb acquired Sturtevant Farms in 1969 and the main product the Sturdy Link 527. This was
marketed as the DeKalb “Sturdy Link” 527. According to a Sturtevant Farms brochure in the mid
60’s “the black sex-link pullet had became the most popular of all brown egg producing birds in
the USA and especially New England. The Black Sex Link and especially the Sturtevant cross had
increased in popularity because of their great resistance to leucosis and exceptional ability to lay
a lot of large, brown eggs”. In the early 1990’s the 527 became the Black. It was marketed as a
quasi dual-purpose layer produced from Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock parents. It 20
was marketed in some areas such as Latin America. There was also a growing market for this
bird in the US with an expanding Asian population that preferred a black-feathered chicken to
eat. \
Of course these birds were developed for commercial production. I am not stating whether these birds are good nor bad. This information was from Hendrix Genetics.
I have read that Hybrids while not as hardy as pure breeds, do lay more eggs. Is one better than another? I'm to old to research it even for myself.
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Second pic the comb looks a bit pink but it's not, really. This turned out to be a girl - my first chicks from a hatchery. Forum got me worried as a few peeps were insisting way back when that these were boys.. but nope. 
