Sex-link layer
Black Star
A cross of a Rhode Island Red rooster over a Barred Rock hen, the Black Star is the most productive bird in our hatchery. Glossy black feathering with copper hackles, a gentle disposition, and an egg in the nest box nearly every day.
Order chicks — $5.25 eachAt a glance
- Temperament
- Calm, friendly, easy to handle
- Hen weight
- 5.5–6 lb mature
- Rooster weight
- 8 lb mature
- Eggs
- 280–300 large brown eggs per year
- Starts laying
- 16–18 weeks
- Pullets available
- 4–6 months old
- Adult hens available
- 1–1.5 years, peak laying
- Cold hardy
- Yes — keeps laying through winter
Temperament
Black Stars are the quiet workers of the coop — slow to squabble, quick to follow you to the feed bucket, and steady around dogs and small children. They rarely go broody, so plan to incubate their eggs if you want to hatch from them.
Care tips
- Sex-linked at hatch — pullets are black, cockerels show a white head spot.
- Brood at 95°F week one, lowering 5°F weekly until feathered out at six weeks.
- Keep layer feed at 16–18% protein once laying begins; add oyster shell free-choice.
- High output burns calcium — watch for thin shells and supplement early.
- Docile enough for children; they settle quickly in mixed backyard flocks.
Ready to order?
Day-old chicks, started pullets (4–6 months), and peak-laying adult hens (1–1.5 years) are available. Because Black Stars are a hybrid cross, their eggs will not breed true — order chicks, pullets, or hens rather than hatching eggs for this breed.