Description
Black Sex Link Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Black Sex Link chicken is a practical hybrid layer bred for strong brown egg production, hardiness, and easy chick sexing. If you want a dependable laying flock without a lot of guesswork, this is one of the easiest production types to appreciate.
This hybrid comes from a proven cross: a Rhode Island Red rooster over a Barred Rock hen. That pairing creates sex-linked chicks, meaning males and females look different at hatch. As a result, you can start your flock with more confidence when your goal is future laying hens.
These birds are not an old heritage breed. Instead, they are a modern production hybrid built for egg laying, vitality, and adaptability. They fit well in backyard coops, homesteads, and farm egg flocks where dependable brown eggs matter most.
Cackle Hatchery® has developed its Black Sex Link bloodline since 1992, using Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock parent stock in its breeding program.
Appearance and Characteristics
Black Sex Link chicks may look a little small at first because of their short chick fuzz. Do not let that fool you. With good care, they grow into large, healthy birds.
Adult hens are mostly black with red highlights in the neck hackle feathers. That red-on-black coloring gives them a sharp, attractive look without making them overly ornamental. Roosters look different, showing lighter barred plumage with pale neck hackle feathers.
This clear difference between males and females is one of the reasons sex-link chicks are popular. You get a practical bird with useful production traits and an easier way to tell pullets from cockerels early on.
Black Sex Link vs Red Sex Link: Which Should You Choose?
Black Sex Links and Red Sex Link chickens are both hybrid brown egg layers. They are bred for customers who want practical egg production rather than show qualities or long-term breed preservation.
Choose Black Sex Links if you like a darker hen with black feathering and red neck highlights. Choose Red Sex Links if you prefer a lighter red production layer. Both can make good backyard egg birds, and both work well when your main goal is brown eggs.
You may also want to compare Golden Comet chickens, Cinnamon Queen™ chickens, and Production Red chickens if you are building a high-output brown egg flock.
Sex Link vs Autosex: What Customers Should Know
Black Sex Links are sex-link hybrids, not autosexing chickens. That difference matters if you plan to hatch chicks later.
A sex-link chicken comes from a specific first-generation cross. In this case, the cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen creates chicks that can be sorted by sex using their color pattern. Cackle’s guide on how to sex a chicken explains that chicks sexed by down or feather color are called sex-links and notes that Black Sex Links are one example.
Autosexing breeds work differently. They can pass sex-linked color traits from generation to generation when bred correctly. Sex-link hybrids do not work that way. So, if you want reliable Black Sex Link chicks, order first-generation chicks from the planned parent cross rather than expecting second-generation birds to breed true.
For more background, read Cackle Hatchery’s article on 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens.
Egg Production and Utility
Black Sex Links are bred first and foremost for eggs. Hens lay light brown eggs, usually large in size, and Cackle estimates production at about 200–280 eggs per year. Actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed quality, weather, housing, and overall flock care.
These birds also grow into good-sized chickens. Cackle lists hens at about 6–7 pounds and roosters at about 8–9 pounds, making them substantial production layers with more body than many lighter egg breeds.
If you want birds closer to laying age, Black Sex Link Started Pullets may be a good fit. Started pullets have already moved beyond the day-old chick stage, which can be helpful if you want to shorten the wait for eggs.
Temperament and Suitability
Black Sex Links are active, hardy, and generally easy to manage. They do well for beginners, experienced poultry keepers, backyard flocks, and farm egg setups.
They can also handle free-range environments well. If you like watching chickens scratch, forage, and work around the yard, these birds can fit that style of flock. At the same time, they can adapt to a coop and run when you provide enough space, feed, water, ventilation, and enrichment.
Because they are production layers, they do best with steady nutrition and good daily care. Give them quality feed, clean water, predator protection, shade in hot weather, and a dry coop, and they can reward you with a steady supply of brown eggs.
Is the Black Sex Link Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Black Sex Links if you want:
A hybrid brown egg layer
A first-generation sex-link chick
A bird bred from Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock parent stock
A hardy production hen
Large light brown eggs
A beginner-friendly backyard chicken
A bird that can do well free range or in a coop and run
A practical egg layer with attractive black and red feathering
A started pullet option when available
Overall, this is a strong choice if your main goal is eggs. It may not be the best fit if you want a pure heritage breed, a show bird, or a flock that breeds true generation after generation. However, if you want a practical layer that gets the job done, Black Sex Links are hard to overlook.
If you are still comparing options, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort breeds by purpose, egg color, size, and flock needs.
Breed History and Preservation
The Black Sex Link is a modern hybrid, not a historic standard breed. Breeders created this type of chicken to make chick sexing easier while also supporting strong brown egg production.
The parent cross matters. A Rhode Island Red rooster over a Barred Rock hen produces chicks with sex-linked color differences. That first-generation cross gives you the predictable chick-sexing advantage and the dependable laying traits people expect from this hybrid.
Because this is not a breed that reproduces true, preservation works differently than it does with heritage chickens. If you hatch the next generation from Black Sex Link parents, you should not expect the same clear sex-linked chick colors or the same uniform performance. For reliable results, use first-generation chicks from the correct parent stock.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association does not recognize Black Sex Links as a standard breed because they are hybrid production chickens. Cackle lists their poultry show class as not applicable, APA status as no, and The Livestock Conservancy status as not listed.
You can order day-old chicks when they are in season, and you may also choose Black Sex Link Started Pullets when available. Before you plan your flock, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Black Sex Links, you may also want to compare Red Sex Link chickens, Golden Comet chickens, Cinnamon Queen™ chickens, and Production Red chickens. All of these can be good choices when you want practical brown egg layers.
For the parent breeds behind this hybrid, compare Rhode Island Red chickens and Barred Rock chickens. If your main goal is egg production, browse brown egg laying chickens or baby chicks for sale.
For sex-link education, read 4 outstanding dual-purpose sex link hybrid chickens and how to sex a chicken.
FAQ: Black Sex Link Chicken
What is a Black Sex Link chicken?
A Black Sex Link chicken is a hybrid brown egg layer created from a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen. This first-generation cross produces chicks that can be sorted by sex using color differences.
Are Black Sex Link chickens good egg layers?
Yes. These hens are strong production layers. Cackle estimates about 200–280 eggs per year, though actual laying can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and overall care.
What color eggs do they lay?
They lay light brown eggs, usually large in size. That makes them a good choice if you want a productive brown egg flock.
How are Black Sex Link chickens bred?
They come from a Rhode Island Red rooster crossed with a Barred Rock hen. That planned cross creates sex-linked chick color differences.
Are Black Sex Link chicks easy to sex?
Yes. They are sex-link chicks, which means males and females show different color traits in the first generation. Cackle lists gender accuracy at 95–100 percent for this hybrid.
What do Black Sex Link hens look like?
Adult hens are mostly black with red highlights in the neck hackle feathers. They have an attractive dark look with just enough red color to stand out.
What do Black Sex Link roosters look like?
Roosters usually show lighter barred plumage with pale neck hackle feathers. They look different from the mostly black hens.
Are Black Sex Links good for beginners?
Yes. They can work well for beginners because they are hardy, productive, and easy to manage. Like all chickens, they still need clean water, balanced feed, dry housing, predator protection, and enough space.
Are they good for free range?
Yes. These birds can do well in free-range environments. They also adapt to a coop and run when you provide enough room, feed, water, and enrichment.
Are Black Sex Links heritage chickens?
No. They are modern hybrid production chickens, not a heritage breed. If you want a breed that reproduces true, compare pure breeds such as Rhode Island Reds or Barred Rocks.
Do Black Sex Links breed true?
No. Since they are hybrids, offspring from Black Sex Link parents will not reliably match the first-generation chicks in color, sex-link traits, or performance.
Are Black Sex Links the same as autosexing chickens?
No. Sex-link hybrids and autosexing breeds are different. Sex-link traits work in the first generation of a planned cross. Autosexing breeds can pass sex-linked traits from generation to generation when bred correctly.
How big do Black Sex Link chickens get?
Cackle lists hens at about 6–7 pounds and roosters at about 8–9 pounds. Pullets weigh about 6 pounds, and cockerels weigh about 8 pounds.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer Black Sex Link Started Pullets?
Yes. If you want birds closer to laying age, Black Sex Link Started Pullets may be available.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options. Availability can change by season, hatch date, and egg numbers.
Shelley Benson –
Adorable little black chicks with no worries they might turn out to be roosters. They grew up beautiful; almost solid black with some white and brown patterns on their chests. They reflect blue, green, purple in the sunlight. They started laying at 20 weeks. First Bellatrix, then Nymphadora Tonks a few days later. Now I am getting an egg a day from each. They love grapes. Absolutely crazy about the grapes. The delivery went perfectly. I would definitely order from Cackle Hatchery again.
Brian Myers –
Great breed, auto sexed so no guessing on hen vs roo. Friendly as well. Mine look like Australorps with varying degrees of brown in the neck and head feathers. Regular layers.
m.c.mohsen –
In early May I ordered Black Sex Links and Cream Legbar chicks. They all arrived healthy and have thrived. The BSL started to lay and 20 weeks and have been consistent. I was surprised the CLB started to lay 2 weeks later as they are not winter layers. This was the first time I ordered from Cackle Hatchery and the first time I have a flock that got along so well with no pecking order behavior. If you want a healthy,friendly, reliable layer I would highly recommend Black Sex Links and the Cream Legbar chicks.
David Stephens –
We picked up 8 Black Sex Link and 8 Easter eggers early spring. they have thrived very well and have been laying eggs now for some time. We have had both over the years. the black sex link have always proven to be very productive egg layers for several years. The easteer eggers are neat to have and they have also been pretty productive, probably not quite as much as the Black Sex link. We picked these chicks up in person at the store and was very pleased with the service and facilities. highly recomend Cackle Hatchery.
Ken Nowatzke –
Hens just started laying. Great, docile chicken. One of my friendliest chickens. Seem to be good layers. As I said, just started about 3 weeks ago
Diahann Graham-Matranga –
They are hardy and healthy breed. Easy keepers friendly and calm
Jennifer Smith –
I’ve ordered black sex link chicks two separate times now (got a second round because I liked the first ones so much) and couldn’t be happier. Everyone arrived healthy and are doing fantastic. Will definitely use Cackle in the future.
Barbara Nelson –
My favorite breed for years. Large brown eggs, consistent layer, gentle personality. These are hens I can count on to keep laying.
Kris B –
Very healthy chicks!
We received our order of 15 as promised in February 2020. The chicks were packed well for the cool temperatures. All, plus a couple extra, arrived and have grown into very active, healthy pullets! We are waiting to see about egg production in a couple of months. We will post an update in a few months. Thanks to Cackle Hatchery for excellent product and service!
Black sex link –
Excellent free range layers
Good layers and decent meat birds
Commendable Service and Packing –
Hello
Over the past seven years we have ordered from over a dozen different hatcheries, including (and most often) Cackle. We have ordered from you for years and have always been impressed with the quality of the chicks, and your service which is above and beyond the average. Our most recent order, however, was even more remarkable – they shipped during extreme cold, and not only did they all arrive alive, they were boxed in the most exceptional and thoughtful packing of heat packs and straw pads we have ever seen, courtesy of your packer “Angie M”. All of the chicks from this order have continued to show the high standard of quality and good growth and health we have come to expect from your birds. Please give our regards to the packer of our order and keep up the amazing work. Thank you
Rhodyray –
After two years
Have three types of chickens (BSL, RSL, Austra White) of which this is one and I find that they aren’t the best layers but are also not the worst layers I have. One is a bully but if she is allowed to free range seems to calm down.
MMH –
Wonderful chicks
We ordered a mixed flock of chicks to start our backyard flock. Ordered 16 birds (black sex link, australorp, wyandotte, buff orpington, barred rock bantam, rhode island red bantam), received 19 chicks-guess they through in a couple extra in case of shipping losses. All arrived happy and chirping; they are now 12 days old and all still doing well. Note the estimated arrival date on the USPS tracking site is based on them delivering them to your house. Since they hold them at the post office, they may arrive SOONER. We were expecting them on Friday (shipped Wednesday), but got a call from USPS Thursday that they had arrived. Had to scramble a bit since we were planning on another 24 hours (not the hatchery’s fault at all). BE SURE you are all set up and ready to go before you order and be prepared for early arrivals.
Rhodyray –
Update
On 12/5/2016 I provided a review of my new Black Sex Link, Red Sex Link, and Austra White chickens and wish to provide further feedback. The Black Sex Link has become the best egg layer in my small flock of six. The Austra White’s have slacked off and the Red Sex Link has been somewhere in the middle. Austra White’s sometimes have bad temper days and although smaller than the rest will act like they are in full charge. I wholeheartedly believe the Black Sex Link is a better choice of the three.
Retirement is great –
Great service
Ordered Sunday 6 p.m. arrived Tuesday 7:30 a.m. all healthy and thriving service could not have been better.
Rhodyray –
Good hens
Beautiful birds laying light brown eggs. One was a bully but that was taken care of by removing her from the flock, placing her in an animal cage, and let her watch the others free-range for three days before reintroducing. She has behaved since. Husky birds for their weight.
rhodyray –
Good with a bump of two.
Consistent layer of medium to large eggs. Don’t have expectations of extra large or jumbo eggs from these birds. One was picking on an Austra White badly to the point blood would be streaming out of the comb. Isolated the bad hen in a pet cage for three days and let her watch the other hens free-range. Yup, I’m a parent that believes in effective discipline. Let her re-mingle after the three-day period while the other free-ranged and have an incident free existence since. The victim now has shown no fear of the former wicked hen and they hopefully living happily every after.
greenmamato3 –
we love our blacks!
We ordered our 15 chicks (all pullets) for Sept ’15 and were delighted with raising chicks in the fall. We are just a few weeks away, now, from receiving our first eggs. All the girls have grown vigorously and are great foragers. We have 4 black sexlinks, 5 barred rocks, and 6 brown leghorns. The color variation in the black sexlinks is beautiful. They are quasi iridescent. They adapted well when they experienced their first cold nights and are very reliable to go back to their coop each night. Thank you so much for the high quality birds you sent us! We are very happy cackle patrons!
LeAnna Indiana August 2009 –
Regarding my recent order
I received my order today and I just wanted to say what a great customer service I received from the initial phone call when I placed the order and the helpful lady who talked to me about my order all the way to receiving them today. They all arrived in great shape and looked lively. Once again, great customer service! I will absolutely order from you again. and will recommend you to all my friends. Thanks a lot!
Melissa, Texas Sept 2014 –
Thank You
I am sending you this note to tell you how happy I’ve been over the years with the chicks you’ve sent and your wonderful service. I now have a small flock of laying hens we hatched from some of the chicks we got from you a few years ago. They are healthy and productive. We once had a few chicks arrive (thru no fault of yours) a day late and we lost some, you were wonderful about replacing them. So I just wanted to say thank you from a happy loyal customer.
Jeremy & Jaclyn Kansas June 2011 –
Cackle Hatchery
Thank you for the timely delivery of our 25 new chicks. We ordered them Tuesday, shipped Wednesday and we received them today. They are all healthy and alive and are full of life and vigor. You will received our continued support. Thanks Again,
Joann Nevada May 2011 –
Dear Folks at Cackle Hatchery
Our turkeys and chickens arrived today at the post office. They made it just fine…all but one turkey. And I think you sent an extra chick. They are in their brooder boxes and such and are doing fine. I want to thank all of you for your work and patience with me as a first time buyer and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.
John, Illinois (received August 2014) –
Thank You
I want to say thank you for your willingness to work with small backyard families. I have tried many other hatcheries and they would not work with small orders. If they would they would send cockerels along with the pullets for warmth and safety. Where I live I am not allowed to have roosters in my backyard flock. So again, thank you so much for making my dreams come true!