Red Sex Link
Red Sex Links are hardy dual-purpose chickens known for consistent egg production.
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Red Sex Links are friendly and adaptable birds with a mix of red and brown plumage. They are naturally curious and easy to handle, making them great for families. This hybrid breed is well-known for its excellent egg-laying abilities, producing a good number of brown eggs. Their calm demeanor allows them to coexist peacefully with other breeds in a backyard setting.
History
Developed in the United States during the 1970s, Red Sex Links derive from crossing Rhode Island Reds with White Leghorns. Their breeding aimed to create girls that could be easily distinguished from males at a young age, aiding in livestock management. As a result, they quickly gained popularity among backyard keepers and commercial producers alike.
Care tips
Red Sex Links are hardy and adapt well to various climates, requiring basic shelter and space to roam. They thrive with adequate nutrition and fresh water, and while they can go broody, they are not among the most proficient layers of chicks. Regular coop cleaning and social interaction will help keep them healthy and happy.
Fun facts
- Red Sex Links can start laying eggs as early as 4 months of age.
- They are known for their high egg production, often averaging 250-300 eggs per year.
- Their friendly nature makes them excellent companions in mixed flocks.
- Red Sex Links are often used in backyard settings for both eggs and pets.
How Red Sex Links are made
Red Sex Link is a general name for a cross, not a single breed. A red rooster, usually a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire, is mated with a hen that carries the silver gene, such as a White Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island White, Delaware or Light Sussex type. Because of how the color genes pass on, the female chicks hatch red or buff and the males hatch white or pale yellow. That lets hatcheries sell pullets with high accuracy. Hatcheries sell these crosses under names like Red Star, Golden Comet and Cinnamon Queen, and the exact parents vary.
Why the trick only works once
The color sexing only works on this first cross. If you mate two Red Sex Links, the chicks will come in mixed colors and you cannot sex them at hatch. If you want sex-linked chicks at home, you need the original parent breeds.
Day to day
Red Sex Link hens are usually friendly, sturdy and low drama. They lay brown eggs at a very good rate, start early, and rarely go broody. Production is strongest in the first two years.
What to expect long term
Like other heavy-laying hybrids, many Red Sex Links slow down after year two, and older hens are more prone to reproductive problems. They are tough in both heat and cold, with medium single combs.
Related birds
See the Rhode Island Red page for the usual father breed. The Black Sex Link uses a red rooster over a barred hen instead. The Cinnamon Queen is one of the named commercial versions of this cross.
Common questions about Red Sex Links
Can a Red Sex Link rooster be red?
In a true first-generation cross, males hatch white or pale. They may grow into white birds with some red or gold.
Are Red Sex Links good layers?
Yes. They are some of the best brown egg layers for backyard flocks.
Are Red Stars and Red Sex Links the same?
Red Star is one of several brand names hatcheries use for a red sex link cross.
