Red sex links as a foundation.

[donrae]

Fred!

 

[Matt1616]

Thank you, President of the Rhode Island Red Association, I bought Black sex-link chicks last spring and have wondered how they were bred. I am in Alaska, and have tried a few breeds of chickens now, and Rhode Island Reds have been the hardiest breed we
have tried. Mine are 3 years old now, and still producing 2 eggs a day during their laying season.

The most common way to make Black Sex Links is a Rhode Island Red Male over Barred Rock Females.

Matt

 

[AK Chick]

Thank you so much for the interesting information! I just ordered some Barred Rock chicks, and it is good to know that some of my hardiest birds share genes with them... Winter hardiness is a necessity, here. We got some chicks that might have been White Leghorns, once with disappointing results. Not hardy here, at all.