Sex Links

[ShrekDawg]

So I probably can't get any more chickens right now and even if I did l, I have other breeds I want to try first but when I first got my chickens two years ago, one of the breeds I was considering was sex links. I decided against them because I read they don't tend to live long and tend to have lots of health problems, like prolapsing and stuff, and I wanted pets so didn't want that.

So I guess I am wondering if that is true or not??? And if you guys think they are a breed worth getting?

I know there are a lot of different varieties so I guess I just mean any of the production reds. Red sexlinks, Cinnamon Queens, ISA Browns, Red or gold Comets, etc. etc. Or even black sex links. And if there is a difference between these breeds please enlighten me (I'm being serious not sarcastic).

 

[SonoranChick]

This is a great question. I have a red star sex link and she's the sweetest girl! I think red star is Delaware crossed with Rhode Island Red. I love her so much. She lays very well and I have not had any health problems with her yet. She started laying young (week 19) and I certainly hope she lives longer than a few years. She's only 7 months now so I can't really answer your question...I have also heard that the sex links can burn out quickly and would love to hear from anyone who raises them.

 

[ShrekDawg]

This is a great question. I have a red star sex link and she's the sweetest girl! I think red star is Delaware crossed with Rhode Island Red. I love her so much. She lays very well and I have not had any health problems with her yet. She started laying young (week 19) and I certainly hope she lives longer than a few years. She's only 7 months now so I can't really answer your question...I have also heard that the sex links can burn out quickly and would love to hear from anyone who raises them.

Thank you! They seem like great birds so it's sad if they don't live long

 

[BantyChooks]

I do NOT recommend sex links, at all.

The reds are the most prone to reproductive issues, and yes, I have lost some to EYP. Not fun. They are aggressive towards people and somewhat to flockmates. Some say that's being 'friendly' but I don't count making my hands bleed as friendly.

They have poor feed to egg conversion and burn out after a year. I did keep some blacks for two years; the eggs they did lay were way too large to fit in the cartons and had quality issues. If you wanted to process at 1--2 years of age, then they would work well as that's what they're bred for. Me, I like the DP breeds that give high amounts of meat and eggs without burning out in a year or pecking your hand off.

 

[BantyChooks]

For layer breeds, I actually recommend White Leghorns. Sure, they have a reputation as being flighty, but raise them right and you've got the brainiest, smartest, most productive layers out there. They have the same 'spark' to them as the sexlinks without being incessantly nagging. They don't burn out as quickly either in my experience, despite similar rates of lay.

Being a light breed, they're much better at flying away from predators. I once had one take wing and fly to the roof to escape a dog. Won't see a sexlink doing that, huh? I find them intelligent and quick to learn that people aren't threats.

Walter Hogan detailed in his book the Call of the Hen the different personalities that make up a good layer hen. The best class was described as being rather a worrying, flighty temperament. I can see how that would fit the Leghorn.

One of my current White Leghorn hens is called "Red" because of her feather colour. She has red splotches after getting into an accident with the paint I was using on the coop. Silly biddy liked to come watch me work.

 

[SonoranChick]

I made the first time flock owner (aka "rookie"...) decision to get a mixed flock, which included a white leghorn, a brown leghorn, and a red star sex link, among others. I am glad I did this because I am really able to tell breed characteristics (nature) versus hand raising (nurture). You are right @BantyChooks these leghorns get a rough reputation for being flighty! Mine are the most cuddly little love bugs my brown, Momo, is in my profile pic. They are so smart, it's incredible. The white lays daily, and the brown lays about 4 times a week. I also want to say I love my red star and really can't say anything negative about her when it comes to flock sociability. She is actually one of my more civil and peaceful hens. Maybe each chicken just has a mind of their own and some are more cantankerous than others.

 

[keesmom]

I have not tried red sex links. We have had black sex links. Granted we have had a small subset, but I wouldn't hesitate to get more in the future. The first lot lived to 5, 7 and 10 (when coyotes wiped out our free rangers). Two of the 3 even went broody. All continued to lay sporadically even in advanced age.

We had another recently that was a great layer until her death (fox). She was one of the kids' favorites.

 

[lazy gardener]

They have poor feed to egg conversion

What do you base that statement on???

 

[BantyChooks]

What do you base that statement on???

Perhaps I phrased that wrong, sorry. The sexlinks I owned eat way more than the leghorns and lay slightly less. Amount eaten is gauged by the fact that they're the first to the bowls and the last away and the fact that when I sold 4 RSL my feed bill went down quite noticeably; more than is usual for a layer bird.

They're pretty hefty things. They outweighed even my PCs.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks.