Sex-Link Hybrid Chickens
Cross-bred commercial strains that can be sexed by down color at hatch — eliminating the rooster-culling problem for the first-time keeper.
Sex-Link Hybrid chickens include breeds like Golden Comet, Black Star, Red Star, ISA Brown, Cinnamon Queen — selected over generations for eggs (no surprise roosters). Average temperament: Docile, friendly. Broodiness tendency: Rarely. Foraging ability: Good. Space needs: Low.
Below you will find climate-specific guides for each of the six major North American climate zones. Click through to see which breeds in this category perform best in your conditions, with coop-sizing parameters appropriate for each zone.
Choose Your Climate Zone
USDA 3-5
Cold Northern
Minnesota, North Dakota, northern Michigan, Vermont, Maine
USDA 6-7
Temperate
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Oregon (valley), Tennessee
USDA 8
Mild Coastal
Western Oregon, western Washington, coastal California, coastal Georgia
USDA 9-10
Hot Arid
Arizona, Nevada, inland California, New Mexico, west Texas
USDA 8-10 (humid)
Hot Humid
Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, coastal Georgia, South Carolina
USDA 4-7 (altitude-modified)
Mountain / High Altitude
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico highlands
Breed Details
- Primary use
- Eggs (no surprise roosters)
- Egg color
- Brown
- Temperament
- Docile, friendly
- Foraging ability
- Good
- Broodiness
- Rarely
- Space needs
- Low