The value of sex-link rooster. What happens when you cross breed?

[fiveidahoboys]

I recently acquired two chicks that I (with the help of BYC) have pretty much determined to be male sex-links. I understand that this is a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen. I also understand that since this is a hybrid and not a true breed, the offsrping will not be sex linked. With that being said, I am wondering if I should keep these chicks for anything or get rid of them as soon as possible. I have two purposes in my chickens. Number one is egg production. Number two is the possibility next year to hatch some eggs (either in an incubator or under a Buff Orpington I just got as a chick.). Purpose #2 has to compliment purpose #1. In other words, I don't want to just hatch chicks for the experience, I would like the chicks to be useful too. Should I keep these two little guys, or look for a rooster elsewhere? By the way, the hens I have include (3) Easter Eggers, (3) Rhode Island Reds, (3) Golden Sex-link (1) Production Red, (1) Buff Orpington (2) White Leghorns. Also, I buy my chicks from a feed store that are not "straight run" but always pullets. I got these two because they were sent as "warmers" in a duckling order. So it might be a little work to actually find a rooster.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

There's nothing wrong with sex link roosters as breeders for mixed flock layers. In fact, they should be good genetically for that and since you have two, you can hang on to them both for now and see which one has a better personality.

 

[enola]

When you cross these roosters with the variety of hens that you have, the resulting chickes will be a lovely scheme of colors! And the pullets you keep should be excellent layers. You will have a rainbow of color.....

 

[HighStreetCoop]

And I personally find the red sex link roosters very handsome.

 

[Michael OShay]

I recently acquired two chicks that I (with the help of BYC) have pretty much determined to be male sex-links. I understand that this is a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen. I also understand that since this is a hybrid and not a true breed, the offsrping will not be sex linked. With that being said, I am wondering if I should keep these chicks for anything or get rid of them as soon as possible. I have two purposes in my chickens. Number one is egg production. Number two is the possibility next year to hatch some eggs (either in an incubator or under a Buff Orpington I just got as a chick.). Purpose #2 has to compliment purpose #1. In other words, I don't want to just hatch chicks for the experience, I would like the chicks to be useful too. Should I keep these two little guys, or look for a rooster elsewhere? By the way, the hens I have include (3) Easter Eggers, (3) Rhode Island Reds, (3) Golden Sex-link (1) Production Red, (1) Buff Orpington (2) White Leghorns. Also, I buy my chicks from a feed store that are not "straight run" but always pullets. I got these two because they were sent as "warmers" in a duckling order. So it might be a little work to actually find a rooster.

If your chicks are Black Sex Links, they are a cross between an RIR rooster and a BR hen. If they are Red Sex Links, they are a cross between a red gene rooster and a silver gene hen. Either way, you are correct; they will not breed true. Their offspring will simply be mixed breeds. If you don't mind having mixed breeds, there is no reason not to keep them. Their offspring will likely not be quite the egg laying machines that the Sex Link hens are, but they will probably be good layers with docile temperaments.

 

[fiveidahoboys]

When you cross these roosters with the variety of hens that you have, the resulting chickes will be a lovely scheme of colors! And the pullets you keep should be excellent layers. You will have a rainbow of color.....

That gets me excited about this! Thanks for bringing that up.

 

[fiveidahoboys]

When you cross these roosters with the variety of hens that you have, the resulting chickes will be a lovely scheme of colors! And the pullets you keep should be excellent layers. You will have a rainbow of color.....

and a rainbow of eggs

 

[fiveidahoboys]

There's nothing wrong with sex link roosters as breeders for mixed flock layers. In fact, they should be good genetically for that and since you have two, you can hang on to them both for now and see which one has a better personality.

. Great! This is what I was hoping to hear. I like the idea of picking out the best tempered one

If your chicks are Black Sex Links, they are a cross between an RIR rooster and a BR hen. If they are Red Sex Links, they are a cross between a red gene rooster and a silver gene hen. Either way, you are correct; they will not breed true. Their offspring will simply be mixed breeds. If you don't mind having mixed breeds, there is no reason not to keep them. Their offspring will likely not be quite the egg laying machines that the Sex Link hens are, but they will probably be good layers with docile temperaments.