Sex Link questions

[calebc311]

When I got my chick, I was told she was a buff orpington. Now that she's 4 months old, I can tell that she is a sex link (gold, I think). I heard that these birds were bred to lay short and that they do not live long. What else should I know about this breed?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Not necessarily. There are exceptions. Some have lived long, healthy lives, and still lay a few eggs into their 4th and 5th year.

However, it generally best to understand that these strains were developed for the egg industry, where layers and "all in and all out" every 2 years on average, so the breeding is pushed to work within that time table. These birds are often most productive their first year or two and then? Some burn out, others can develop ovarian and reproductive issues.

No one can predict with absolute accuracy the future of your bird. But, it good to have the knowledge and perspective.

edit: They are not a "breed" at all. They are hybrids. Here's to hoping your pullet has a long happy life.

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[Manningjw]

That pretty much sums it up. The great thing about most red sex links, they lay more eggs than any other brown egg layer around. Ours barely ever missed a day, laying 89 out of her first 90 days. Unfortunately our first sex link developed impacted/sour crop sometime between 3 and 4 years old and hasn't really laid many eggs since then. She has probably laid more eggs that some heritage breeds will lay in their lifetime.

There are many theories as to why some chickens burn out/stop laying earlier than others, Fred's sums up one of them which I think has a lot of merit, they will do what they were selected for. Another idea is that because they start laying eggs so early in life, their reproductive tracts aren't as robust as those who developed a little slower and delayed egg laying accordingly.