red sex links???

[Chickenslol]

Anything i should know about my Red Sex Links??? I’ve heard reports that they just- drop dead??? I’d prefer if my chickens didn’t drop dead. also how do they lay? So many mixed reports about red sex links it’s hard to sort through it, personal experiences welcome.

 

[Tre3hugger]

My sex links are curious robust birds. Fearless even, They are around 3 years old and still lay 4-5 eggs a week.

While it is true they may slow down laying a bit after the second year, this should only really be in issue in a production setting. Hardly noticeable in a backyard.

Although not always, red sex links, or all production hybrids for that matter, develop reproductive issues early in life due to their egg factory working overtime. This is not a guarantee, and many people on here boast hens in the 5-7 yr old range that still lay consistently.

My view on red sex links are they make a great addition to a backyard flock, but I personally would not want them exclusively. (I have two in my flock of 25). There coloring is not that interesting to me and I like keeping a mix of heritage breeds and mixes. However, if you want lots and lots of eggs and don't mind replacing your birds early if they happen to get sick, RSLs may be the prefect bird for you!

 

[Aapomp831]

No, they do not drop dead. Red sex links are a hybrid, created by breeding a RIR rooster with a white hen such as a Delaware or a Leghorn. They are bred to lay a copious amount of eggs in their lifetime; they lay way more than “regular breeds”, up to 320 eggs per year. Because of this, they tend to have shortened lifespans compared to most breeds. The average lifespan is 3 to 5 years, but with good care they can live and lay longer than that. I have read people on here saying they have 8 year old sex links still laying. I have had many red sex links and they tend to succumb to reproductive issues above anything else; that is what I normally lose them to. I have one that is 3 years old and deteriorating, but still alive and doing ok so far. But if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, red sex links will definitely lay you tons and tons of eggs.

 

[wf1992]

I've yet to have one drop dead. I'd actually prefer if they did; making the decision to euthanize isn't fun. Seems luck of the draw - I had one get egg bound within what seemed like weeks of starting to lay, and another that's 5+, still laying occasionally and just too sweet to "retire". Honestly, I don't generally name my ISAs the way I do the heritage birds. I absolutely agree they're the best bang for your buck egg-wise, and I appreciate how mine generally lay straight thru their first winter.

 

[Chickenslol]

No, they do not drop dead. Red sex links are a hybrid, created by breeding a RIR rooster with a white hen such as a Delaware or a Leghorn. They are bred to lay a copious amount of eggs in their lifetime; they lay way more than “regular breeds”, up to 320 eggs per year. Because of this, they tend to have shortened lifespans compared to most breeds. The average lifespan is 3 to 5 years, but with good care they can live and lay longer than that. I have read people on here saying they have 8 year old sex links still laying. I have had many red sex links and they tend to succumb to reproductive issues above anything else; that is what I normally lose them to. I have one that is 3 years old and deteriorating, but still alive and doing ok so far. But if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, red sex links will definitely lay you tons and tons of eggs.

yea i posted something similar a few weeks ago and like two people told me that it happened to them. honestly wouldn’t be mad if they passed a little early, i’d love to be able to replace them with a battery hen of a similar breed or something, i just don’t want them to die at like 18 months.

 

[sourland]

Reproductive issues can appear as early as 18 months, but that would be unusual.