What is a sex link?

[Ellie]

I tried to google this but you can imagine....

.

Anyway, I had posted about letting my Buff Orpington Roo have a family with my barred Plymouth Rocks. One, would be a sex link I understand, but what exactly is that? I see it a lot.


Thanks,
Ellie

 

[CovenantCreek]

Sex-linked refers to chicks that hatch out certain colors depending on their sex. For instance, a red sex-link usually comes from a RIR roo bred to a white Leghorn, the female chicks will be reddish like dad while the male chicks will be yellow. There are a few breeds that have this characteristic naturally, but mostly you hear of it in terms of hybrids bred for superior laying capabilities.

 

[Buster]

Here is a link that should prove helpful:
http://featherside.com/Poultry/CGP/Sex-links/BRKSexLink.html

 

[chickenranchwife]

From what Cackle Hatchery shows, the Black sex link is a cross between the Rhode Island Red rooster, and a Barred Rock hen, and the Red Sex Link is a cross of a RIR Rooster and a Deleware hen. I have the Black's and like them.

 

[Ellie]

Thank you very much. I now understand it!

Ellie

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

a sex link is simply a cross between specific chickens, but whether they are male and female of each breed is very important to produce a sex link.