Black Sex Link
The Black Sex Link is a hardy dual-purpose breed known for its consistent egg production.
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Black Sex Links are a hybrid breed characterized by their black feathering and friendly disposition. They are known for their excellent egg-laying ability, producing medium to large brown eggs regularly. Their calm and adaptable nature makes them suitable for both novice and experienced backyard keepers.
History
The Black Sex Link was developed in the United States in the 1970s by crossing Black Australorps and Rhode Island Reds. This hybridization aimed to create a breed that exhibits consistent sex-linked traits, aiding in easy identification of males and females.
Care tips
These birds are quite hardy and can adapt to various environments, making them ideal for backyard flocks. They require adequate space to roam and forage, which helps prevent boredom. Black Sex Links are not known to be broody but appreciate a comfortable nesting area for optimal egg production.
Fun facts
- Males are typically black with a red tint, while females are solid black.
- They are friendly and sociable, enjoying the company of both humans and other hens.
- Black Sex Links are good foragers, helping keep pests at bay in your yard.
- They can lay around 250 eggs per year, making them a reliable choice for egg production.
How the Black Sex Link cross works
A Black Sex Link is a first generation hybrid made by crossing a red or gold rooster, most often a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire, with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen. The barring gene sits on the sex chromosome, and a hen passes it only to her sons. So all the sons are barred, and the daughters are not.
At hatch, that shows up as a simple color code. Males are black with a white or light spot on the head. Females are black without the spot. Adult hens are mostly black, often with red or gold tones on the neck and chest. Adult roosters are barred.
What daily life with them looks like
Black Sex Links are practical birds. They are known for:
- Strong laying of brown eggs from an early age.
- Calm, friendly temperaments.
- Good cold tolerance thanks to their size and feathering.
- Low broodiness, so laying is rarely interrupted.
Like many high-output layers, they tend to lay hardest in their first couple of years, then slow down. Feed a good layer ration and offer oyster shell, which the grit and oyster shell guide covers.
Climate and coop
Give standard large fowl space. Their single comb can get frostbite in bitter cold, and dark feathers mean they need shade in hot weather.
Breeding and buying
They do not breed true. Offspring from two Black Sex Links will be mixed and not reliably sexable. Hatcheries and feed stores sell them widely, sometimes as Black Star or Black Red Star.
Common questions about Black Sex Links
How do I sex Black Sex Link chicks?
Males have a white or light spot on the head. Females do not.
Are Black Sex Links good for beginners?
Yes. They are hardy, calm and productive.
Do Black Sex Links go broody?
Rarely. They are bred for laying.
