Sex-Linked Chickens - what size?

[Tilly&Milly's Mom]

Hi, everyone. I'm wanting to get a few sex-linked chicks and am interested to know their approximate size when full-grown? What might they weigh? These are for pets only - don't eat chickens / don't eat eggs - just want them for backyard pets. I'd be interested to hearing your experience with the RedStars and BlackStars - temperament, especially. Many thanks, mjc

 

[donrae]

I think most sex-link hens are around five pounds.

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

About leghorn sized -- they are mean to other chickens, but they are friendly enough to us humans.

 

[cravenchx]

Mine are larger than leghorns, and much nicer than leghorns!

 

[Mahonri]

The very best sex-links I've ever owned are Black Sex links. Calm, friendly EGG LAYING MACHINES.

I had one girl that went 93 days without missing a day laying once and she laid very well, even until she was almost FOUR YEARS OLD.

 

[BlazeJester]

It depends where you get them and what breeds are crossed to make them.

Plymouth rocks are very friendly if you're looking for pets; barred rocks are very commonly used in black sex link. BSL are also very pretty!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Agree. We're talking about dozens and dozens of hatcheries producing many strains.

The Red Sex links I've had are tiny birds, 3 1/2 lbs?? yes, somewhat larger than a leghorn, but not by much. The RSL roosters were larger, maybe 5 lbs.

The Black Sex Links were thicker birds, maybe 4 1/2 lb hens and 6-7 lb roosters.

 

[chicknubee]

I have just ordered black and redlink chickens. I ordered them for their eggs. I understand they are docile and friendly, which is why I also wanted these breeds. I orded Rhode Island Reds too. Antone have a thought about my choices? Anyone want to chime in on what other egg layers are worth mentioning?

 

[chicknubee]

Please excuse my typos, Fred.

 

[BlazeJester]

It is so variable depending on how you like your chickens to look, what attitudes you find attractive... I got an australorp kinda just for fun (I needed 7 chicks to complete my order), and she's now my friendliest chicken. I've heard that wyandottes can be standoffish, but one of my columbian wyandottes (the one in my avatar) is the first to come running for treats. My rocks are actually the least friendly/quirky of my current flock, though I love their partridge coloring. Personally, I love having "two of each" - that's my version of chicken math and a darn good thing I don't have any singles right now!!!