Red Star chickens, also known as ISA Browns, are a hybrid breed developed in the 1950s to efficiently lay brown eggs and be easy to sex at birth. They are known for being hardy, docile, and able to lay eggs in both hot and cold weather.
Appearance: Females have reddish-brown feathers with white flecks, while males are completely white. Chicks are sex-linked, meaning their feather color at hatching indicates their sex.
Egg laying: Red Stars can lay over 300 large, light brown eggs per year, starting at around 20 weeks old.
Temperament: Friendly, smart, and easy to handle.
Weight: Hens weigh around 5 lbs and roosters weigh around 6 lbs at maturity.
Origin: France.
Black Star chickens are a hybrid breed known for their high egg production and dual-purpose capabilities. They are developed by crossing a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire Red rooster with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen. Black Star chicks are sexed at hatch, with females being all black and males having a white spot on their head.
Key Characteristics:
Egg Production: Black Stars are prolific layers, producing around 250-300 brown eggs per year.
Sexing at Hatch: Chicks can be easily sexed at birth due to their distinct color patterns.
Dual-Purpose: They are known for both egg production and their meat.
Docile Temperament: Black Stars are generally docile and friendly.
Hardiness: They are adaptable to various climates and can be kept in confinement or allowed to forage.
Limited Life Span: As hybrids, Black Stars typically have a shorter lifespan compared to heritage breeds, often living 4-5 years.
Not Broody: They are not known for being broody, which means they don’t typically sit on eggs to incubate them.