what is a sex link chicken?

[KooKoe]

I see people talking about sex link chickens. what are they? and how does it work?

 

[RAREROO]

Here is a VERY in depth explaination .
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261208

Here is the Sexlink Thread with my simpler explaination and examples that I have bred.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=375015

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Sex links are crossbred chickens that can be sexed when they hatch by either their color or the way the feathers grow.
If their is more to it, I do not know.

Imp

ETA- I see RAREROO beat me too it.

 

[KooKoe]

thanks folks!

 

[can you hear me now?]

Lol I am way too late for this one.

 

[KooKoe]

ok guys, so a sexlink chicken is a chicken that is bred purely to be able to sex the day old chicks by color and feathers? and obviously because they are cute? Am I right or even more confused than before? This is all very overwhelming! I think I may have accidentally made a sexlink roo. He looks exactly like the pictures on the thread. It was a cross between my black cochin and my Old English Game Rooster?

Am I lost?

 

[can you hear me now?]

Quote:
I can't give you the genetics on it, but yes the crosses will sex the chicks at a day old. Hope a genetics person comes along and furthers this.

 

[RAREROO]

Quote:
Nope, that wouldnt make a sexlink. For black sexlinks you have to have BARRED hens and NON Barred roos, if your cochin hen is black, then she isnt barred and cant make sexlinks. What does the roo look like and what color is your OEG rooster ?

But yes you are right. The creation of sexlinks is a means cross to where the chicks can be sexed at hatch is the main reason. And Commerical type sexlinks have hybrid vigor from being crossed with two breeds so they are more productive.

 

[KooKoe]

Daddy....(OEG)

mommy.....(Silky cross Cochin?)

RESULT.....

So what's the verdict....is it just a mutt?

 

[KooKoe]

Oh, and thanx so much for helping me! You guys are amazing!