Sex- linked Information

[Aussie-Chook]

Quote: I have BCM roos and a Barred Rock hen ... I might try this combination!! QUESTION: Can I introduce adult birds from different flocks to each other? If so, any tips?

 

[Aussie-Chook]

So, I have 2 RSL hens & 2 Tetra Tint hens laying ... and an RSL roo (same age) & Maran roos (month younger)

3 chicks from light brown/creme colored eggs hatched and one looks like a striped sex link chick. The other 2 chicks are plain white/yellow chicks (see pics)

What combo produced the striped chick that looks exactly like the RSL chicks (now hens) I got last spring??!!

plain chick

plain chick

striped chick resembles RSL chick

Striped (RSL?) chick at left - Barred hen was a broody mama - chicks not from her eggs.

 

[ronott1]

I have BCM roos and a Barred Rock hen ... I might try this combination!! QUESTION: Can I introduce adult birds from different flocks to each other? If so, any tips?

Generally, integrate them at night and it helps if the new ones have a buddy.

Here is a quote for Kim:

I have a similar situation, since I have multiple hatches over a period of months. I read about breeders who keep all their different age groups separate, but that's not possible here.
I think so much depends on the individual birds dispositions, so what works one year may not work the next. I just do the best I can.

To answer your question about what is the oldest that I've been able to merge ... I'm constantly merging groups of different ages, in and out of different pens. (This is regarding females- not males.) So, there's not a set age when it will or won't work. They seem to accept reorganization, perhaps because it happens so often. I always try to integrate with at least a pair, or more. Putting a single bird into a new group will sometimes result in that bird becoming a scapegoat.

Here's what I do: Newly hatched chicks are kept in a brooder with their hatchmates until they feather out.
I have a large coop next to my house. It opens up to my yard, with grass, trees and lots of roses for cover. When the chicks feather out, they are put in this coop. For the first week, they are kept in an enclosure in this coop, so they get used to it. After that, the coop door is opened every day and they can range the yard.
I keep integrating new batches of chicks into this coop. Keeping them enclosed the first week also serves to introduce them to the previous group(s) in a protected way. The older birds always are somewhat dominant over the younger. This isn't ideal, but it's the way it is. I watch to make sure that none are getting hurt. This hasn't been an issue. I make sure that there are multiple feeders and waterers available. The coop is large enough that they all have space. After awhile, they all seem to become one group.
When the males become sexually mature - as soon as I see chasing going on - that group of mature males are separated to a separate bachelor pen.
This is where it gets tricky. Every year, it seems to be a little different. Sometimes I can add groups of males together. Last year, I could not. Two males that had grown up together and had been buddies were separated for about a month, then reunited. Never been a problem before, but this time my best male ended up being injured so badly that he died. Lesson learned. I'll never try to reunite groups of males that have been separated.
So, the males have a pen for culls and a pen for possible breeders. I also have a cull pen for pullets/hens. The possible breeder pullets stay in the coop near the house until they are large

 

[Classy Chick]

I just got my first ever sex linked chick and I am already in love! Since I am new to the breed, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[chicken pickin]

I just got my first ever sex linked chick and I am already in love! Since I am new to the breed, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Congrats on your chick, its super cute!

Sexlink is not a breed, it is a trait. Many different breeds carry certain traits and that when crossed to the correct breed will create a sexlink chick meaning the chick can be sexed at hatch male from female by down color. There are numerous breeds that can be crossed to create numerous different versions of Sexlinks. There are Black Sexlinks which require a barred hen crossed to certain colored roosters (these days it seems like any rooster as long as he isn't barred or solid white but refer to post one to get more details). Red Sexlinks which are Silver based hens crossed to gold based roosters(again refer to post one for details). There are also some breeds that create a skin color sexlink rather than feather color. Black skinned rooster like a Silkie for instance crossed to yellow/white skinned hens will create a sexlink that at hatch you can tell male from female by the color of the legs/skin.

So Sexlinks are crosses and make wonderful chickens and usually great layers of eggs. Do you know the cross that created your chick?

 

[Classy Chick]

Thank you so very much for all of the information! I had no idea that they weren't a breed, that is so neat! I got her (hopefully a her!) at a chicken swap in my area, and I didn't ask the breeder what her lineage was like. I will try to do some research though to find out! She is black with a brown mask over her face, and has brown tipped wings

 

[cmom]

Thank you so very much for all of the information! I had no idea that they weren't a breed, that is so neat! I got her (hopefully a her!) at a chicken swap in my area, and I didn't ask the breeder what her lineage was like. I will try to do some research though to find out! She is black with a brown mask over her face, and has brown tipped wings

It is hard to tell from the picture. A Barnyard cross.

 

[Classy Chick]

I will try to get a better picture, she is such a spit fire it's hard to keep her still!

 

[donrae]

Well, now I've got to show off my latest hatch--blue sex links! The hen will be part of my "blue hens that lay blue eggs" stock.

 

[tcrader]

I. Have a question about RIR. I am needing some help. If I cross a RIR rooster with a columbian Wyandotte hen will I get a red sex link. Thanks in advance.