11+ Sex Link and AutoSexing Chicken Breeds

Raising chickens can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially for those who want to produce their eggs or even breed their flock. One of the challenges faced by backyard chicken keepers is identifying the sex of their chicks.

Sex link and auto-sexing chicken breeds offer a solution to this issue, allowing hobbyists and commercial poultry farmers alike to quickly and easily determine the gender of their birds at an early age.

There are over a dozen popular sex-link and auto-sexing chicken breeds that can simplify the process of identifying gender. These birds exhibit distinct physical characteristics that set them apart, making it easier for even novice chicken keepers to determine the sex of their birds.

This article explores many of these breeds and discusses their unique features and advantages for those looking to raise chickens for eggs or breeding purposes.

Understanding Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken Breeds

Chicken keepers can save time and resources by choosing sex-link and auto-sexing chicken breeds while ensuring a balanced flock that produces the desired amount of eggs.

This knowledge can also help avoid the challenges of accidentally raising roosters in areas where they might not be allowed or where the crowing concerns neighbors.

With these breeds, enjoying the many benefits of raising chickens in one’s backyard or farm becomes much more manageable.

Genetics and Sex Linkage

Sex link chickens are crossbred chickens that can be sexed at hatch based on their down color. They are produced by crossing chickens of two different breeds or varieties within the same breed. The resulting chicks have certain color patterns that make it easy to identify their sex at hatching.

Examples include the Cuckoo Marans hen x Black Copper Marans rooster crossbreed.

Genetics involves certain traits related to feather color, which are carried only on one sex chromosome and are inherited differently by male and female chicks.

When chickens carrying the barred gene are crossed with solid-color chickens, the males receive two barred genes, making them lighter colored than the females.

This color difference allows for easy sexing of the chicks at hatching.

Autosexing Breeds

On the other hand, autosexed breeds are purebred chickens with distinct color or pattern differences between male and female chicks from hatching.

This difference is based on their genetics and not due to crossing two different breeds. Examples of autosexing breeds include the Rhodebar, Legbar, and Niederrheiner.

Both sex-linked and autosexing chickens offer several benefits for chicken keepers, such as allowing them to easily determine the gender of their young poultry at hatching, preventing the costly and time-consuming process of raising unwanted males, and ensuring their flock primarily consists of laying hens.

Additionally, these chickens provide a more ethical alternative to culling cockerels and roosters, a common practice in the poultry industry.

Popular Sex Link Chickens

These chickens are often referred to in the chicken world as ‘hybrids.’ They are some of the best layers out there in the market today.

Black Star

Black Star chickens, also known as Black Sexlinks, are a popular crossbreed created by mating a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire Red rooster with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen.

These birds are known for prolific egg-laying, with hens laying up to 300 large brown eggs yearly.

They are docile and hardy, making them a great choice for backyard flocks. Males have mostly black feathers, while females exhibit black feathers with red or gold highlights, allowing for easy sexing at a young age.

Red Star

Red Star chickens, sometimes called Red Sexlinks, are another popular crossbreed resulting from mating a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire Red rooster with a White Rock, Silver Laced Wyandotte, or Rhode Island White hen.

These birds are also prolific layers, producing up to 300 large brown eggs annually. Red Stars are friendly and adaptable birds, suitable for various climates and environments.

Male chicks are typically white or pale yellow, while females display shades of red or gold, enabling breeders to distinguish between the sexes easily.

Golden Comet

Golden Comet chickens, a type of Red Sexlink, are bred from a White Plymouth Rock hen and a New Hampshire Red rooster.

Known for their friendly nature and impressive egg-laying abilities, Golden Comets can lay up to 330 large brown eggs per year. These hardy birds adapt well to different environments and are perfect for those seeking a productive, low-maintenance backyard flock.

Males have mostly white feathers, while females possess reddish-gold plumage, simplifying sexing the chicks.

ISA Brown

ISA Browns, a commercial hybrid breed, result from selective breeding between Rhode Island Reds, Rhode Island Whites, and various other breeds.

Renowned for their outstanding egg production, ISA Brown hens can lay up to 350 large brown eggs annually.

These sociable and docile birds are ideal for novice chicken keepers and make excellent additions to backyard flocks.

ISA Browns are primarily red or gold, while males have white feathers tinged with some red or black, making it possible to determine the sex of the chick early on.

Famous Auto-Sexed Chicken Breeds

55 Flowery Hen

The 55 Flowery hen is a breed of chicken created by Swedish pastor and chicken geneticist Martin Silverudd in 1955.

The breed is based on the Leghorn and had some sexlinked genes to identify the chick’s gender.

The hens are known for being prolific layers, producing around 200 to 250 white or off-white eggs per year.

For day-old chicks, the blonde down on the backs of their heads easily identifies the cockerels. Hens have pretty speckled feathers that resemble flowers, thus the name flowery hen, while the roosters are white with flecks of silver and gold.

Cream Legbar

The Cream Legbar is a popular autosexing chicken breed known for its attractive appearance and ability to produce blue eggs.

This breed was created in the 1930s by British geneticists Reginald Punnett and Michael Pease.

The Cream Legbar hens and roosters are medium-sized with a friendly temperament, making them a great addition to backyard flocks.

Key features of the Cream Legbar include:

• Distinctive cream-colored plumage with grey and gold markings
• Auto sexing trait, allowing easy identification of male and female chicks at hatch
• Active foragers, which is beneficial for pest control in gardens
• The Cream Legbar lays blue eggs; occasionally, you’ll have one that lays green eggs.

Rhodebar

The Rhodebar is a relatively rare auto-sex breed developed in the 1940s, resulting from the cross between Rhode Island Reds and Brussbar chickens.

They are known for their superb egg-laying abilities and good-natured temperament.

Some characteristics of Rhodebars include:

• Auto sexing, easily distinguishable by color and markings
• Reddish-brown feathers resembling R.I. Reds
• Highly adaptable to different climates and environments

Bielefelder

The Bielefelder is a German auto-sexing chicken breed known for its large size, excellent egg-laying capabilities, and gentle temperament.

The Bielefelder breed was developed in the 1970s by combining New Hampshire Reds, Amrocks, and Malines. Bielefelders are often called the “uber-chicken” due to their impressive qualities.

Unique traits of Bielefelders include:

• Striking patterned feathers ranging from reddish-brown to black, gray, and white
• Auto sexing, easily distinguishable in both full-grown birds and chicks
• Capable of laying upwards of 200 eggs per year

Welbar

The Welbar is another auto-sexing chicken breed developed in the 1930s in Wales.

This breed was created by crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock with a Gold Duckwing Welsummer.

Welbars are valued for their dark brown eggs and attractive plumage.

Characteristics of Welbars include:

• Auto-sexing trait, with markings on male chicks being distinctly different from the females chicks
• Dark brown feathers with gold highlights
• Good laying ability, producing large, dark brown eggs regularly

These auto-sexed chickens offer numerous advantages for farmers and hobbyists alike, making them an excellent choice for those seeking reliable egg layers and distinguishable genders at hatch.

Breeding and Crossing Techniques

Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Red Cross

One popular crossbreeding technique involves the Barred Plymouth Rock and R.I. Reds breed. By crossing a Barred Rock rooster with a R.I. Red hen, the offspring will display distinctive patterns that allow for easy gender identification.

Male chicks typically have a lighter shade of color and white or light spot on their head, while female offspring will be darker and have smaller, more compact head spots.

This particular crossbreed usually produces hardy poultry with excellent egg-laying capabilities1.

New Hampshire and Silver Leghorn Cross

Another effective crossbreeding technique involves the New Hampshire and Silver Leghorn.

When a New Hampshire rooster is mated to a Silver Leghorn hen, the offspring can be easily sexed by the color of their down feathers.

Cockerels will exhibit a lighter color, while pullets will have a darker down.

This crossbreeding technique is particularly beneficial for those seeking a breed with high egg-laying rates and good foraging abilities2.

Buff Orpington and Cuckoo Cross

Lastly, the Buff Orpington and Cuckoo can be crossed to create another easily sexed offspring. By breeding a Buff Orpington rooster with a Cuckoo hen, the offspring will display distinct color patterns allowing simple gender identification.

Male chicks will have paler, scattered head spots, while females will have darker down and clearly defined yellow toes. This crossbreed results in a bird with excellent egg-laying capabilities and a docile and friendly temperament ideal for backyard flocks.

Identifying Male and Female Chicks

Color Patterns

Autosexing or sex-linked breeds provide a simpler way to sex chicks, as the color of their feathers indicates the gender of the chick from the moment it hatches.

Example: The Red Star breed results from crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a White Plymouth Rock hen. Female Red Star chicks are rusty-colored, while male chicks are light yellow.

Sex-linked chicks, such as the Black Sex Link, also present distinct color patterns. Crossing a Rhode Island Red male with a female Barred Rocks results in female chicks with a dark coloration with some reddish feathers, while male chicks are black with a white dot on their heads.

Chipmunk Stripes

Another way to identify the gender of chicks is by observing the chipmunk stripes on their backs. Some breeds, such as the Plymouth Rocks and Welsummers, show specific patterns in these stripes that help determine their gender.

Male chicks tend to have less-defined stripes that fade quicker than their female counterparts.

Egg Laying and Production

Egg Laying Ability

Various sex links and autosexing breeds excel in egg-laying capabilities. One of the most well-known and efficient egg layers is the Rhode Island Red, which lays between 200-300 light brown eggs annually.

These friendly and hardy chickens are perfect for backyard flocks, and their foraging abilities make them excellent choices for diverse environments.

Some autosexing breeds, such as Araucanas and Cream Legbars, offer the bonus of laying blue eggs. The Cream Legbars can be easily sexed at hatch by observing their distinct feather patterns.

Female chicks have dark and light stripes, while their male counterparts have lighter coats and a yellow spot on their heads.

Brown Eggs

Sex link chickens are renowned for their prolific egg-laying, with many varieties capable of producing 250 to 300 large brown eggs annually. Some popular brown egg-laying breeds include:

• Rhode Island Reds – As mentioned earlier, they are excellent foragers and produce around 200-300 light brown eggs yearly.
• Bovans Goldline – Resulting from the cross between Rhode Island Red males and Light Sussex, these red hens are another European egg-laying champion.
• ISA Browns – Another sex-linked cross belonging to the multinational poultry corporation ISA, these chickens produce many brown eggs.

White Eggs

While sex link and autosexed chickens tend to focus on brown eggs, there are still some great options for those who prefer white eggs. For instance:

• White Leghorns are a well-known breed that produces large white eggs, with a healthy adult hen able to lay around 280 eggs per year.

These versatile breeds cater to a range of preferences and environments, making them ideal choices for those looking to maximize their egg production while maintaining simplicity in identifying the gender of their chicks.

Benefits and Considerations

Egg Production Bird

Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken breeds are known for their high egg production. These breeds, such as the Red Star, can lay around 250 to 300 large, brown eggs yearly.

This makes these chickens an excellent choice for farmers and backyard chicken keepers who prioritize egg production.

High productivity also helps reduce the cost of raising chickens, as fewer birds are needed to meet egg production goals.

Meat Bird

Some Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken breeds serve as good meat birds. These breeds typically have a faster growth rate and larger body size than egg-production breeds.

However, you’ll want to carefully research and select a breed suitable for meat production, as not all Sex Link and Auto Sex breeds are ideal for this purpose.

Dual Purpose Birds

Dual-purpose birds are breeds that efficiently provide both meat and eggs.

Some Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken breeds, like the Bovans Goldline, are considered dual-purpose birds as they produce a decent amount of eggs while having a substantial body size for meat.

Farmers and backyard chicken enthusiasts who want to maximize the benefits of raising chickens often opt for dual-purpose breeds.

Foragers

Foragers are breeds of chickens that excel at searching for natural food sources, such as

• Insects like ticks, grubs, and even small rodents like mice
• Weeds and plants alike are fair game in your yard and fields

Some Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken breeds are excellent foragers, which can benefit farmers by reducing feed costs and improving the flock’s overall health.

Sex Link and Auto Sex Chicken breeds offer various benefits related to egg production, meat production, dual-purpose utility, and foraging skills.

Conclusion

In summary, sex-linked and autosex breeds offer numerous advantages for backyard poultry enthusiasts and small-scale farmers.

These breeds are known for their distinctive color patterns, which make it easy to distinguish males from females as day-old chicks.

This characteristic is particularly valuable for those looking to have a balanced and productive flock with more egg-laying hens.

Incorporating sex-linked or autosexing breeds into a backyard flock can significantly improve egg production while ensuring a balanced gender ratio, ultimately enhancing the overall experience of raising and enjoying these fascinating creatures.

Related: Beginner Chicken Owner Tips

FAQ’s

What is the difference between auto-sexing and sex-linked chickens?

Auto-sexing breeds are purebred chickens where male and female chicks have different colors or patterns noticeable at hatch. In contrast, sex-linked hybrids are developed by crossing two different purebred chickens, resulting in chicks following certain color patterns at hatch.

How can I identify the gender of auto-sexing chickens at hatch?

For auto-sexing breeds, the males and females hatch with different markings or colors. Some males may have a spot on their heads, while females don’t, or they may hatch in different colors. This makes it easier to identify their gender from birth.

Can you provide some examples of auto-sexing chicken breeds?

Here are some examples of auto-sexing chicken breeds:

• Barred and Cuckoo Chickens: Males are paler, with white head spots that may be large, irregular, elongated, scattered, or missing. Females have darker down and legs; head spots are small, compact, and narrow.
• Buckeye: Females have a “chipmunk” appearance, with brown lines around their eyes and stripes down their backs, while males are lighter with a spot on their heads.

Are auto-sexing chickens suitable for backyard poultry?

Yes, auto-sexing chickens are suitable for backyard poultry. They are generally easy to raise and can help eliminate unwanted roosters’ surprises. This allows for more efficient flock management and less stress for neighbors who might not appreciate the crowing of roosters.