Sex Link

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A Black Sex Link hen

Sex Links are cross-bred chickens whose color at hatching is differentiated by sex, thus making chick sexing an easier process. Sex Links come in many varieties, none of which are a true breed. As hybrids of laying or dual-purpose breeds infused with extra vigor via heterosis, Sex Links are extremely good egg layers which often produce 300 eggs a year or more.

The two most common varieties are the Black Sex Link (also called Black Stars) and the Red Sex Link (also called Red Stars). Blacks are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a Barred Rock hen. The opposite version is the Black Rock, which is a Barred Rock male crossed with a Rhode Island Red hen. Red Sex Links are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a White Rock, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island White or Delaware hen. In Europe, the Cream Legbar and ISA Brown sex links also exist.