Are rsl and bsl hardy in the winter? Do they still lay like a lot of eggs in winter? Every few years it gets -10 - -20 fahrenheit in my area, but only for a couple days. Average winter temp is 20 f.
I have BSL and RSL they are laying great for me. But...sigh... I'll admit I heat my coop. Just enough to keep their water from freezing. I feel bad for them so I heat the coop. I don't think they care because they spend most their time outside anyway.
I have RSL and I see a drop in production when we get a cold snap here. but in general mine have done well with the highs in mid 20's usually I have about 90-95% productivity in the summer and I will have 80% or so in the winter. cold snaps affect the next few days but they are better winter layers than my Orps(most or the time). I do feed 16 percent feed in the summer and they free range and I feed them 18% in the winter and they Free range.
I've kept both, am keeping both, in weather that cold and colder. They do fine. Some of the RSLs have rather tight feathering which isn't my preferred feathering for cold weather, but they seem to get along just fine.
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I probably would not breed game into a sex link. If you cross a Bsl hen with something it most likely will not produce as good as the first original cross. A Bsl cross is a RIR Rooster X Barred Rock Hen.
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yes, but depending on where you are your lowest winter temp is 32f but most likely averages 45f and that is if you live up north by the mountains. The op wants to know about temps around 20f