Sex Links

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for all the input everyone!

It seems like some have good experiences with the red sex links but bad experiences might be more common? So maybe I shouldn't risk it? But the good stories of them being sweet birds, etc. Makes me want to try it but idk.

Seems leghorns or black sexlinks might be the way to go?

Tbh I hadn't really considered leghorns because of the flighty reputation but also I have this weird thing where I think brown eggs or my EE eggs taste better than white eggs. It's probably completely psychological though but it just seems to me like the white eggs in the store have thinner shells than the brown ones do? Even brown store ones. But I might be completely crazy.

Leghorns seem like amazing birds though from what you all have described so maybe I should consider some. My only concern though is frostbite? A few of mine have gotten it and their combs/wattles aren't as big. It might be my coop though. They're moving soon.

Also surely the RSLs could not eat much more than my other chickens lol but I don't need more food hog chickens.

So having birds that eat less would be nice.

I have 1 Barred Rock, 2 Black Australorps, 2 Buff Orpingtons, and 2 Easter Eggers. I used to have a third Buff Orpington but lost her a few months ago to a hawk. She was my favorite. I haven't noticed my feed bill go down though, probably because she was the smallest. Absolutely tiny.

My Barred Rock and both Australorps are fatties lol

The others don't eat that much. Well, the EEs are pretty big. Most of my Orpingtons are quite small.

The Australorps, but one in particular, also hog treats.

 

[SonoranChick]

My white leghorn is a lean little laying machine. She is so small compared to some of my other breeds, but she is by far the best layer. She eats very little compared to what she puts out. And I get what @BantyChooks is getting at with the sex links- mine definitely puts down more food than the leghorns. But she so sweet, she's worth it lol.

 

[ShrekDawg]

My white leghorn is a lean little laying machine. She is so small compared to some of my other breeds, but she is by far the best layer. She eats very little compared to what she puts out. And I get what @BantyChooks is getting at with the sex links- mine definitely puts down more food than the leghorns. But she so sweet, she's worth it lol.

Maybe I should add some leghorns! My girls are slowing down some already haha

And aw that's awesome!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh also, where did everyone get their birds from? I'd like to know where the good and the bad ones are from haha

 

[Leigti]

If you get breeds of chickens that are bread for egg laying only they are usually lighter and don’t eat as much. Dual purpose birds are heavier because they are bread for eggs but also to eat so they have more meat on their bones.

 

[orrpeople]

For what it's worth, if you want to add color to your basket, my Silverudd's Blues (Isbars) are awesome layers of fun, green eggs (I say "fun" because some have adorable speckles on them) and they are petite and very light on the feed.
Also, in my own opinion, my little golden sexlinks are some of the sweetest birds around. They are 2 years old now, and so far, so good with health issues!
Best of luck to you as you choose your new birds!

 

[BantyChooks]

Leghorns seem like amazing birds though from what you all have described so maybe I should consider some. My only concern though is frostbite? A few of mine have gotten it and their combs/wattles aren't as big. It might be my coop though. They're moving soon.

Yes, they do get frostbite. They lose a few tips and then they're fine. You might want to consider dubbing if you don't like that.

Oh also, where did everyone get their birds from? I'd like to know where the good and the bad ones are from haha

Hatcheries.

 

[keesmom]

You could get rose comb brown Leghorns.

 

[BrandonMcfly]

I have two red sex links pullets over about 5-7 months or less one is barely laying the other has not but they're both soooooooooo sweet such sweeties! I hope they live along time their names are Kurt & Dylan & their personalities are very different it's funny Kurt is older I believe since she's laying first she's more shy & cautious she likes to be cuddled but gets fed up if it's for to long as she seems to like being more independent but doesn't like to be left alone even for a few secs she'll start crying, & Dylan is more adventurous flys more & is more outgoing she loves to cuddle for a long time but she does not cry if alone for a few secs. Also they're very photogenic Dylan loves the camera Kurt likes it to but she can take it or leave it they love banana & they don't bite only if I Wear nail Polish but because they don't realize it's my nails but I touch their beaks always without a problem they also love being pet like a dog under their beak with one finger & they love taking rides on my back & shoulders so my rsl are very sweet & they never even fight with each other either they also mimic each other often they go bonkers for treats so maybe some chickens are different but I love the rsl breed I can't really say about the time they live seeing as mine are still babies but I hope they live along time but good luck choosing which you want

 

[Naser]

Red hybrids are bred for battery farms, 18 months of hard laying and then culled, they are not good for BYC, I have 4 now and I regret getting them "I had 6 but two died" . they are aggressive to other hens but friendly to people.