If you’re a poultry farmer or enthusiast, you may have heard of Black Sex Link chickens.
Developed in the 1950s as a solution to the food shortage crisis, these hybrid chickens have become popular due to their friendly nature, egg-laying capabilities, and unique coloring.
In this article, we will discuss:
- Black Sex Link Chicken Overview and History
- Black Sex Link chicken characteristics, appearance, and temperament
- Their care requirements
- Potential health concerns
- And some frequently asked questions
Black Sex Link Chicken Overview
Black Sex link chickens are a popular breed among many poultry farmers.
They are a hybrid breed that was developed in the 1950s and is created by crossing a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a Barred Rock hen.
This breed is known for their high egg production and they are often used for both meat and egg production.
One of the benefits of Black Sex Link chickens is that they are easy to sex at birth. This is because the males have a white dot on their heads while the females are solid black.
This makes it easy for farmers to identify males and females without having to wait for them to mature.
Additionally, Black Sex Link chickens are known for their docile and friendly personalities, making them a great choice for backyard flocks.
Below is a table with an overview of the Black Sex Link chicken:
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
| Weight | Hen: 5-6 lbs, Rooster: 7-9 lbs |
| Appearance | Black feathers with a red or gold chest/neck |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Egg Production | 250 – 300 eggs per year (5-6 eggs per week) |
| Broodiness Level | Low |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Space Needed | 6 square feet inside the coop, 15 square feet outdoors |
| Price | $2 – $5 per chick |
Black Sex Link Chicken History
Black Sex Link chickens, also known as Black Star chickens, are a hybrid breed that was created in the 1950s to offset the rising food shortages.
They were initially bred to produce a lot of eggs year-round in order to keep store shelves stocked during the time of the food crisis when soldiers and refugees came home at the end of World War 2.
They were also bred for meat production as well.
Today, however, they are commonly found in backyard homesteads and used for meat and egg purposes for families.
Black Sex Link Chickens are a type of sex-linked chicken, which means that the color of their feathers at hatching is linked to their sex.
Males hatch with a white dot on their heads, while females hatch with a solid black head.
This makes it easier to sex the chicks at a young age, which is important for commercial egg producers who need to separate the males from the females.
What are Black Sex Link Chickens?
Black Sex Link Chickens are crossbred chicken that is the result of breeding a Rhode Island Red rooster with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen.
This breeding results in a chicken that has black feathers with a red or gold chest.
The chicks can be sexed by their color at hatching, with the males having a white spot on their heads and the females being black.
Black Sex Link Chickens are known for their excellent egg-laying abilities, with hens laying up to 300 eggs per year. They are also known for their friendly and docile temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers.
Appearance
Black Sex Link chickens are a beautiful breed of chicken that are highly prized for their striking appearance.
In this section, we will discuss these chickens’ physical characteristics and coloring.
Physical Characteristics
Black Sex Link chickens are a hybrid breed formed by crossing a pure-bred barred hen with a pure-bred non-barred rooster.
The resulting chicks have a unique coloring, with pullets being black and males having a white spot on their heads.
They are generally friendly and energetic, with hens weighing around 6-7 pounds and roosters weighing between 7-9 pounds.
Their lifespan ranges between and living as long as 8-10 years, which is about the same lifespan as a normal chicken.
They are cold-hardy and do best in colder environments.
Black Sex Link chickens are medium-sized birds with sturdy build.
They have a broad, muscular body and a slightly curved beak.
Their eyes are reddish-brown, and their legs are either yellow or black. They have four toes on each foot, with three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward.
Coloring
The coloring of Black Sex Link chickens is what makes them so unique and beautiful.
As the name suggests, their feathers are primarily black, with some variations in color depending on their sex.
The males have a greenish sheen to their feathers, while the females have a reddish-brown color on their neck and tail feathers.
The coloring of Black Sex Link chickens is due to their genetics.
They are a hybrid breed, created by crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock hen with a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster.
The resulting offspring have a distinctive look that is highly sought after by poultry farmers and backyard chicken keepers alike.
Black Sex Link Chicken Temperament & Personality
Black Sex Link chickens are hardy and easy-going chickens that make great additions to a backyard flock.
Unlike some other chicken breeds, Black Sex Link chickens are nonaggressive and nonterritorial.
These chickens are often described as:
- Docile
- Quiet
- Friendly
- Easy-going
- Low-maintenance
They are typically very easy to handle as well, making them a great choice for families with children and other pets.
They are great foragers and love to roam free when given the chance.
Though they are hardy and adapt well to weather changes, Black Sex Link chickens do well in colder weather and will continue to lay eggs throughout the winter.
These chickens have a lot of amazing qualities, however, they do tend to be a bit stubborn and dense at times. It may be difficult to get back into their coop at night if they don’t enjoy going in.
They may also be slightly hard to catch if they are having a good time foraging.
Overall, this is a very kind and docile breed and they make a great addition to any backyard flock.
Egg Laying & Production
Black Sex Links chickens are well known for their great egg-laying abilities.
They will start laying between 16-20 weeks old.
When they are given the proper care and nutrition, these chickens can lay between 250-300 eggs per year (5-6 per week).
Their eggs range from medium-sized to extra large depending on the health and age of the hen.
Just like with most other breeds, their egg production significantly decreases after the first 2-3 years.
Egg Color
Black Sex Link chicken eggs are typically light to medium brown depending on the hen.
Their yolks are rich and flavorful.
Broodiness
Black Sex Link chickens are rarely ever broody, which means hens typically won’t sit on their eggs to hatch them.
They will typically lay their eggs and leave them be, which makes it easy to scoop them up when collecting them.
Black Sex Link Chicken Care
As long as they are given the proper care, Black Sex Link chickens are hardy birds that are relatively easy to care for.
Here are some tips on how to care for your Black Sex Link chickens:
Feeding
When it comes to care, Black Sex Link chickens require a balanced diet and access to fresh water.
They need a balanced diet that includes a high-quality layer feed and access to fresh water at all times.
This breed lays a lot of eggs and therefore hens require supplementation of fruits, vegetables, and high-protein snacks.
It’s a good idea to consider leaving their commercial feed inside their coop for constant and easy access.
Even then, feeding them commercial feed alone might not provide the right amount of nutrients to keep them healthy and laying frequently.
It’s important to supplement their diet with treats such as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Mealworms
- Black fly larvae
- Eggshells
- Crushed oyster shells
- Seeds
- Other high-protein sources
It’s important to do some research before giving chickens any type of treat or table scrap to ensure that it is safe for them to eat.
They can eat fruits and vegetables (in moderation) such as:
- Watermelon
- Pinneaple
- Plums
- Celery
- Kiwi
- Berries
- Cucumber
- Green Beans
- Leafy greens
- And many more
Coop Setup
Black Sex Link chickens need a coop that is well-ventilated and free from drafts.
Their coop also needs to be secure in order to protect them from predators and the elements.
Regular cleaning of the coop and nesting boxes is also essential to prevent the spread of disease and bullying.
The coop should be big enough to give them plenty of room to move around and they should also have access to nesting boxes and perches.
Each adult Cinnamon Queen chicken will need 6 square feet of space inside the coop.
They will also need one nesting box per 3-4 hens.
Free Ranging
Black Sex Link chickens love to stretch their legs and free-range outside of the coop.
If you aren’t able to free-range these chickens, it’s important that their run is large enough for them to move about freely.
Each chicken requires 15 square feet of space outside of the coop, but the more space, the better.
These chickens do best when they are able to completely free range a few times per week outside of the chicken run.
Health Concerns
Although Black Sex Link chickens are fairly hardy, all chickens are susceptible to some health concerns.
For instance, considering these chickens are egg-laying powerhouses, the hens are more inclined to have egg-laying-related issues like egg-binding, prolapse, or peritonitis.
They can also have calcium deficiencies from laying so many eggs, which can lead to soft-shelled eggs or even shell-less eggs.
Like with most chickens, they are also prone to other health issues such as lice, mites, and respiratory infections.
With proper hygiene and regular checks, these issues can be avoided or caught early to be taken care of.
It’s important to watch your birds for any signs of distress and treat any health issues promptly to prevent them from spreading or getting worse.
Final Thoughts
Black Sex Link chickens are a popular choice for poultry farmers and backyard flock enthusiasts due to their friendly nature, egg-laying capabilities, and unique coloring.
They can lay up to 300 eggs per year, making them a popular choice for poultry farmers. They are also good foragers and can adapt to different climates, making them an ideal choice for backyard flocks.
If you’re considering adding them to your flock, ensure that you provide them with the proper care and environment they need to thrive.
When given the right conditions, Black Sex Link chickens will provide you with years of enjoyment and a bounty of eggs.
Still unsure? Keep reading below for some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
At what age do Black Sex Link chickens start laying?
Black Sex Link chickens start laying eggs between 16-20 weeks old.
Then they lay medium to large brown eggs.
Are Black Sex Link chickens good egg layers?
Yes, Black Sex Link chickens are excellent egg layers.
They can lay between 250-300 eggs per year (5-6 eggs per week) for the first couple of years.
How long do Black Sex Link chickens lay eggs?
Black Sex Link chickens lay a large number of eggs per year.
Like with most other chicken breeds, their production significantly slows down after the first 2-3 years and will usually stop completely between 5-8 years old.