Sex-links - all of the fun, non-technical stuff

[sdeneen2001]

So when have your SLs started laying? My 2 girls are 14 weeks old, combs are getting a bit redder, but not really growing yet. One of them keeps checking out the nest boxes - like her little chicken genes are telling her that those are going to be important but she doesn't know why yet.

 

[NevadaRon]

Mine didn't start until close to 20 weeks. But they were the first of my mixed flock to lay, and have been the most prolific, too.

 

[mignonette]

Hi all.

I'm new to all of this, but, of course, want to jump in with both feet.

The "plan" is to hatch sex-link eggs in the spring so that we can tell the girls from the boys right away. Then the kids can feel free to bond with the girls and I'll tell them up front that the boys are mine and that we won't be keeping them. (We live in town and can only have hens.) I really want the kids to see the whole process from beginning to end and thought this would be the least painful way.

The question now is.........which sex-link variety should we choose? red stars or black stars?
I am getting the impression here that maybe the red stars would be more friendly?
What has been your experience?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[draye]

Quote:
The offspring of Sexlink to Sexlink will not hatch out sexlink. You will need a red rooster (Rhode Island Red or NewHampshire) and silver based hens ( Delaware, Silver Penciled Rocks, Silver LAced Wyandottes, etc.


Try yhis link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261208

 

[no1hilbily]

i have 10 17 week old and 4 15 week olds starting to lay i got 5 eggs yesterday i think at leat 1 was from the younger ones ISA Browns

 

[NevadaRon]

Quote:
My experience has been the Reds are friendlier. I also believe they are more productive - start laying earlier, lay more consistently, and lay larger eggs. But there is wide variation in sex links, depending on the parentage; as draye pointed out there are several combinations that will produce a Red sex link.

 

[mignonette]

Quote:
The offspring of Sexlink to Sexlink will not hatch out sexlink. You will need a red rooster (Rhode Island Red or NewHampshire) and silver based hens ( Delaware, Silver Penciled Rocks, Silver LAced Wyandottes, etc.


Try yhis link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261208

Yep. I get that part. I have someone locally who is doing the breeding part and can supply me with hatching eggs.

We have the choice of getting black stars or red stars and I was just wondering which had the milder temperments or would be more kid friendly.
Thanks, though.

 

[mignonette]

Quote:
My experience has been the Reds are friendlier. I also believe they are more productive - start laying earlier, lay more consistently, and lay larger eggs. But there is wide variation in sex links, depending on the parentage; as draye pointed out there are several combinations that will produce a Red sex link.

OK, thank you.

Can I ask what the source of your sex links were?

I just found out that my 'local' source of eggs will be getting them from a hatchery in another province

So I have no idea of their parentage. Do hatcheries tend to use certain breeds for theirs, or is it anybodies guess? I am kind of leery of 'hatchery eggs' as I'm not sure what their breeding practices are like.

Thanks again

 

[NevadaRon]

I'm reasonably sure that the hatcheries - at least the big ones - use the same parent lines once they've settled on a combo they like.

I got mine from a local farm and ranch supply store. I don't know where they got them but I'm sure it was from one of the big hatcheries - I just don't know which one.

 

[Pele]

I would definitely recommend Reds over Blacks. All of my Reds are very friendly, and I have had bad experience with a Black SL female that was super stand-offish and agressive. Of course, like others have mentioned, you can have different strains developing in different hatcheries. THe first time I saw someone post that their Reds were mean, I almost fainted from shock! Mine are so sweet and inquisitive, and have distinct personalities.

Just the other day, my biggest hen, Darla, hopped into my lap while I sat on the patio, proceeded to bawk up a storm like she was sharing the day's gossip, then primly hopped to the ground and wandered away. I was laughing so hard!

I personally think that my hens are either RIR/Cuckoo Marans, or HR/Cuckoo Marans. SOme of them lay super dark eggs that are terracotta in color.