Black Sex Link

Black Sex Link Chicken

The Sex Link Hybrid is created by crossing two traditional poultry breeds: the Rhode Island Red rooster and the Barred Rock hen. This blend results in a remarkable brown egg-laying hen, known for its robust and vigorous nature.

The chicks from this hybrid are color sexable, meaning you can distinguish them by color as they grow. Roosters will exhibit faded barred patterns with lighter neck feathers, while pullets or hens will show a mix of black and red in their neck feathers.

Although not typically used for shows, this breed is ideal for raising as backyard or farm chickens. The Sex Link Hybrid is highly valued for its brown egg production and makes excellent cockerel fryers.

Many find the Black Sex Link chicken a great choice for free-range or organic egg production. The Chicken Coop Company produces these chicks and offers them for sale both in-store and online. Be sure to place an order for these exceptional baby chicks.

Health and Care:

• Hardy and Resilient: Black Sex Link chickens are hardy and adaptable to various climates. They can handle both cold and warm conditions, though it’s important to ensure they have proper shelter and ventilation during extreme temperatures. Their robust immune system and dense feathering make them resilient in cold weather, while they also handle heat well if provided with shade and fresh water.
  
  
• Disease Resistance: These chickens are generally healthy and resistant to many common poultry diseases. However, like all chickens, they can still be affected by mites, lice, and respiratory issues if their living environment isn’t maintained properly. Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and access to clean water will help prevent these issues.
  
  
• Low Maintenance: The Black Sex Link is a low-maintenance breed. They require basic care—nutritious feed, fresh water, and a safe, clean environment. They thrive in both free-range conditions, where they can forage and explore, and in confined spaces, as long as they are provided with enough room to move.
  
  

Egg Laying:

• Exceptional Egg Production: One of the most prized characteristics of the Black Sex Link chicken is its ability to lay a large number of eggs consistently. These chickens are exceptional layers, producing 250-300 eggs per year. The eggs are typically medium to large and brown in color, making them a reliable choice for egg producers.
  
  
• Year-Round Laying: Black Sex Links are known for laying eggs year-round, including during the winter months. While egg production may decrease slightly during the colder months due to reduced daylight, they remain one of the most reliable breeds for consistent egg production throughout the year.
  
  
• Large Brown Eggs: The eggs produced by Black Sex Link chickens are generally large, brown, and consistent in size. This makes them a favorite among those looking for a steady supply of high-quality eggs.
  
  

Temperament:

• Friendly and Docile: Black Sex Links are known for their friendly, docile nature. They are calm, easy to handle, and social with both humans and other chickens. This makes them a great choice for families, beginners, or anyone who wants a manageable, non-aggressive breed.
  
  
• Sociable and Tolerant: These chickens are sociable and get along well with other chickens in a mixed-flock setting. They are not particularly dominant or territorial, so they tend to fit well with other breeds in your flock.
  
  
• Not Flighty: Unlike some other breeds, Black Sex Links are not overly flighty or nervous. They are calm and content in their environment, which makes them easier to manage compared to more skittish breeds. However, they are still active and curious, enjoying the opportunity to forage and explore their surroundings.
  
  

Appearance:

• Attractive Black Plumage: As the name suggests, the Black Sex Link chicken has striking black plumage, often with a glossy sheen. Depending on the exact genetics of the cross, they may have some dark brown or red highlights, especially around their neck and wings.
  
  
• Medium Size: Black Sex Link chickens are medium-sized birds, with hens typically weighing between 5-6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6-7 pounds. Their compact, sturdy build makes them ideal for egg-laying, while still being large enough to provide meat if needed.
  
  
• Single Comb and Wattles: Like most chickens, Black Sex Links have a single comb that is upright and medium-sized. Their red wattles and earlobes contrast nicely with their dark plumage, adding to their overall attractive appearance.
  
  
• Sturdy Build: These chickens have a strong, muscular build that allows them to thrive in both egg-laying and foraging. They are active, and their build supports the demands of consistent egg production.

How long do Sex Link chickens live?
Sex Link chickens typically have a lifespan of about 2 to 3 years when kept in backyard settings. This is somewhat shorter than the average lifespan of most chickens, which ranges from 3 to 7 years.

Are Sex Link chickens good layers?
Black Sex Links, also known as Black Stars, are recognized for their dual-purpose qualities. They combine excellent egg-laying capabilities with good meat quality inherited from their parent breeds. On average, these hens lay approximately 300 brown eggs per year, which is a robust production rate.

How many eggs do Sex Link chickens lay?
Sex Link chickens, being hybrids of various laying or dual-purpose breeds with added vigor from heterosis, are known for their prolific egg-laying. They often produce around 300 eggs annually, depending on the quality of their care and feed. The eggs can vary in color based on their breed mix, with blue-green eggs also being possible.

Do chickens need a rooster to lay eggs?
Hens do not require a rooster to lay eggs. They only need a secure environment, adequate time, and a nutritious diet rich in protein and calcium to produce healthy eggs. However, without a rooster, the eggs will be unfertilized and will not hatch.

Health and Care:

• Hardy and Resilient: Black Sex Link chickens are known for their hardiness. They can adapt well to a variety of climates, though they are best suited for moderate temperatures. Their dense feathering provides some insulation against cold weather, but they may need extra care in extreme heat. During hot weather, it’s essential to provide them with plenty of shade and fresh water to prevent heat stress.
  
  
• Disease Resistance: Like most hybrid breeds, Black Sex Links are generally healthy and disease-resistant. However, like all chickens, they can be susceptible to common poultry diseases such as mites, lice, and respiratory issues if not maintained in a clean, well-ventilated environment. Regular coop cleaning, fresh water, and access to nutritious food are essential for keeping them healthy.
  
  
• Low Maintenance: These chickens are easy to care for and require minimal attention beyond basic chicken needs. A balanced diet, clean water, and a safe environment are all they need to thrive. They are also good foragers, so if you have access to a free-range setup, they will benefit from foraging for insects and plants.
  
  

Egg Laying:

• Exceptional Egg Production: One of the main reasons the Black Sex Link is so popular is its excellent egg-laying ability. They are prolific layers, producing around 250-300 eggs per year. These eggs are typically medium to large in size and brown in color.
  
  
• Year-Round Laying: Black Sex Links are reliable year-round layers. While egg production may decrease slightly during winter due to reduced daylight hours, they are known for maintaining consistent egg production throughout the year.
  
  
• Large Brown Eggs: The eggs produced by Black Sex Link chickens are medium to large in size and have a rich brown color. Their ability to consistently lay large, high-quality eggs makes them a great choice for those looking for a reliable source of eggs.
  
  

Temperament:

• Friendly and Docile: Black Sex Link chickens are typically friendly, calm, and easy to handle, making them a good choice for families, beginners, or those with children. They are not as aggressive as some other breeds and are generally docile, making them easier to manage in a flock.
  
  
• Sociable and Tolerant: These chickens tend to be sociable and get along well with other chickens. They are not overly dominant but do enjoy being part of a group. They usually do well in mixed-flock settings and are generally not territorial.
  
  
• Less Flighty: Unlike some breeds, Black Sex Links are not overly flighty or skittish. They are generally calm and comfortable around humans and other animals, making them ideal for backyard farms or smaller homesteads.
  
  
• Curious and Active: While they are friendly and easygoing, Black Sex Links are also active and curious. They enjoy exploring their surroundings, so if you have the space for them to roam, they will appreciate the opportunity to free-range and forage.
  
  

Appearance:

• Striking Black Plumage: Black Sex Link chickens have sleek, black plumage with some red or brown highlights, particularly in the hackle (neck) and tail feathers. Their plumage tends to be glossy and shiny, giving them an attractive and healthy appearance.
  
  
• Medium Size: Black Sex Links are medium-sized chickens. Hens typically weigh around 5-6 pounds, while roosters weigh around 6-7 pounds. They have a compact and sturdy build, making them well-suited for egg production.
  
  
• Single Comb and Wattles: Like many chickens, Black Sex Links have a single comb, which is medium-sized and upright. Their wattles and earlobes are typically red, providing a nice contrast to their dark feathers.
  
  
• Hybrid Features: As a hybrid, Black Sex Links often exhibit consistent physical traits, which makes them a popular choice for people looking for chickens that perform well in egg production and have a predictable appearance.

• Poultry Show Class:  Not applicable
• Weights: Hen—–6-7 lbs
  
• Rooster——8-9 lbs
  
• Pullet—6 lbs
  
• Cockerel—-8 lbs
• Purpose and Type: Egg laying; Production
• Egg Shell Color: Light Brown
• Egg Production: 200 – 280  eggs per year (estimates only)
• Egg Size: Large
• Temperament: Active
• Gender Accuracy: 95-100%
• Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
• Broody: Non Setter
• Mating Ratio: 10 Females to 1 Male
• Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
• Country of Origin: United States
• APA: No
• TLC: Not Listed
• Breeder Farm Source: Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline or strain of Black Sex Link since 1992.