These kind and loving chickens are the perfect addition to almost any flock. But what are they? And what are the Red Sex Link chickens pros and cons? Follow along to find out!
Red Sex Link chickens are a hybrid breed that needs to be on your radar today.
What Are Red Sex Link Chickens?
Red Sex Link chickens are a hybrid breed. And every incubator has a different way to create them. Usually, breeders choose between a Rhode Island Red or a New Hampshire Red rooster.
And for a female, they choose between White Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island White, Silver Laced Wyandotte, or Delawares.
These crosses also come in various names depending on what breeds they use. The most common phrase from hatcheries is the Red Star Sex Link Chickens.
Other names like the Golden Comet are another sex link bird. These are Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn Cross.
But one thing always remains; the color of the chicks. Males hatch with a light yellow or almost all-white coloring.
In contrast, females are born with a red buff to their feathers. But what are the Red Sex Link chickens pros and cons?
Pros Of Red Sex Link Chickens
Now we will start by talking about all the fantastic qualities of the Red Sex Link. This list is long and sure to make you fall in love with the Red Sex Link as well.
Gender Identifying
The most obvious pro to the Red Sex Link is that you can tell the genders apart from day one. This quality alone makes them perfect for owners only wanting production hens.
When you buy chicks from a feed store, there is always a chance of misgendering. And no one likes to end up with a sneaky rooster.
Why wouldn’t you want a rooster? For starters, you don’t need a rooster for quality eggs. Your hens will keep producing whether they have a male present.
And secondly, roosters aren’t legal within city limits. So getting a guaranteed gender of chick saves you a lot of trouble.
Egg Production
The Red Sex Link chickens egg production is like no other. Rain or shine, you will get up to 300 eggs a year. This is a large amount for such a small bird.
But you can guarantee that your Red Sex Link will give you 5-6 eggs a week, their peak year after two years old.
Early Layers
When do Red Sex-Link start laying eggs? Most pullets begin laying eggs around 16-17 weeks.
And these birds don’t start with small eggs like other breeds. Your Red Sex Link will give you large to extra-large eggs from the beginning.
Winters
Are Red Sex Link chickens cold and hardy? You bet they are. Your Red Sex Links are very consistent with egg-laying throughout the winter. And they do very well keeping warm in the winter.
With a few minor adjustments to weather-proof your coop, your Reds will be fine in even the coldest weather.
Quick Adapting
These birds adapt to any weather or environmental change with ease. They seem to fit right in even when you first bring them home.
Some breeds get disoriented and take weeks to feel comfortable in new places.
Dual-Purpose
While the Red Sex Link isn’t the fattest chickens, they still make excellent meat production birds.
Depending on the cross used, the average Red Sex Link weighs between 6-9 pounds. But their primary purpose is as an egg producer.
Common
Some breeds are harder to find than others. But the Red Sex Link is typical all over the USA, especially with the increase in backyard flocks.
You can order them from hatcheries, in feed stores, and even by local breeders. Just make sure you find a reputable breeder that breeds a valid Red Sex Link, and not some other breed.
Easy To Tame
If a Red Sex Link has no human contact, it can be a little aggressive. But with lots of interaction from a young age, they are the easiest chicken to tame.
You can win their hearts with a bit of food and constant handling. And doing this makes a docile hen that doesn’t mind handling.
Curious
Our hens aren’t just for eggs. They are also fascinating to watch, so you will never be bored with the Red Sex Link.
These chickens love to explore and figure things out. Whether checking out the garden or exploring the yards, they are fun to watch.
Foragers
Due to their curious natures, Red Sex Links are also impeccable foragers. They love bugs and slugs as their main diet.
And no insect goes unnoticed by their sharp eyes. Having a few Red Sex Links will wipe out any infestations and prevent them in the future.
Non-Broody
For the beginner, you most likely want your hens for egg production. And nothing is more stressful than a broody chicken you can’t break. Luckily the Red Sex Link is not known for going broody often.
Kid-Friendly
And our final pro is that the Red Sex Link chicken is kid-friendly. You won’t have to worry about a crazy hen attacking your children for no reason.
Your hens will gladly come up and be friendly. And your kids won’t have anything to fear.
Cons Of Owning Red Sex Link Chickens
Next on our Red Sex Link chickens Pros and Cons is the negative side. Every chicken has terrific attributes that everyone loves.
But they also have cons that make or break the breed. Here are a few things to consider before adding Red Sex Links to your flock.
Short Lifespan
Most chickens live anywhere from 5-10 years. But the Red Sex Link only lives 2-3 years on average. Since these birds mature so early, they also enter old age faster.
And some owners say their hens don’t make it that long due to reproduction issues. If you were looking for a breed that would have a long and healthy life, the Red Sex Link isn’t for you.
Laying Years
How long do Red Sex Links lay eggs? With a 3-year life expectancy, it’s evident that their egging days aren’t long.
The Red Sex Link starts strong but steadily and rapidly declines after two years. And most don’t live long after they stop laying eggs.
Hungry Girls
Keeping these hens laying 5-6 large eggs a week takes a lot of food. Your Red Sex Link chickens will beg for food and always seem hungry.
The good news is they can forage for most of their food if allowed to free-roam. But free-roaming isn’t the most straightforward task if you live in the suburbs.
You could attempt to landscape your run, but these girls love to forage. It could be challenging to keep up with if your flock is large.
Medical
While Red Sex Links are usually healthy birds, they aren’t immune to illness. The most common health concern in Red Sex Links is due to reproductive ailments.
Nutrient deficiency, egg-bound, peritonitis, and prolapse are the most common in these chickens. And most Red Sex Link chickens have repeated issues with these ailments.
Which ultimately leads to death in most chickens. If you aren’t prepared to care for egg-laying problems, the Red Sex Link isn’t for you.
Roosters Temperament
Hens are known for their sweet temperaments. Roosters, on the other hand, are overly aggressive. You might find that they try to protect their flocks against people.
They aren’t the most friendly birds and are not trusted around kids. But the good news is that you can guarantee you won’t get one if you don’t want a rooster.
Bossy
Red Sex Link hens aren’t aggressive but can be a little bossy. You will see your Red Sex Links chasing after other smaller chickens and squabbling for a pecking order.
But we wouldn’t call them overly aggressive. They won’t continue to fight, but they like consistency in their daily routine.
Bored Easily
Because of their curious natures, the Red Sex Link gets bored quickly. You must work hard to give them new foraging materials to entertain them.
Entertainment is especially vital during the cold winter months. Hanging treats and hiding mealworms are incredible fun for chickens of all ages.
Flying
A covered run or clipping the wings are crucial for the Red Sex Link. These chickens love flying up and over their confines because they always look for new fun.
Your flock will disappear into the neighbor’s yard if you aren’t careful.
Incubate Eggs
You can’t breed two sex-linked chickens and get more sex link chicks. But you could reproduce your Red Sex Links to continue on your next generation of laying hens.
But don’t expect your Red Sex Links to incubate their eggs. Occasionally you might have a broody hen that takes care of her chicks. But in most cases, you must have an indoor incubator and brooder.
Conclusion
Reading the Red Sex Link chickens pros and cons show that they aren’t for everyone. But these sweet birds give you the best eggs for most of their lives.
And people all over love them for their unique color and even temperaments. Are you a Red Sex Link fan too?
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Backyard Chicken Board!!
