People have different choices when it comes to poultry but Black Star chicken breed is the go for farm owners and beginners alike. This impressively useful bird has a lot of great qualities that make it a great choice.
The author of this blog post goes into detail about this breed’s history, distinguishing traits, and special benefits. Get your favorite drink, put on your “coop shoes,” find a chair, and read this while you hang out with your bird friends. It’s not just me who likes to read with my ladies, right?
History of Black Star Chicken
There is a growing need for chicken types that produce both meat and eggs, which led to the creation of the Black Star hen. Crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock hen with a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster was a clever way to make the Black Star, which is not a pure breed. The goal of this careful breeding was to create a great bird at laying eggs and making meat.
It also tried to enhance the toughness and personality of its parent breeds. Over the years, the Black Star has become known as one of the best and most flexible choices for raising chickens in one’s backyard. Both large and small farmers have adopted it.
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Weight | Hen (5-6 lb) and Rooster (7-8 lb). |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years. |
| Egg Production | 250-300 per year |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Good With Children | Yes |
Identifying Features
The Black Star is a beautiful bird with mostly black feathers that can sometimes show golden or reddish-brown ones, especially around the neck and breasts.
Roosters often have feathers that are a mix of black, white, and sometimes even silver, which makes them stand out more than female roosters.
But I like the hens’ golden hair better! This mix of colours makes them stand out in a group and makes your chicken yard look better. The combs, wattles, and ear lobes of both males and females are red. Their skin is also yellow.
Advantage Of the Sex-Link
One of the most interesting things about Black Star hen is that they are a sex-link breed. This feature lets chicken keepers tell the sex of each chick as soon as it hatches, which is very helpful for people who want to keep a certain number of males to females in their flock.
When they hatch, female chicks are primarily black. If you see a white dot on your chick’s head, on the other hand, you know it’s a boy. This breed eliminates the need for vent sexing, which can be tricky and painful. And with this breed, you don’t have to look for answers on sites about your chicks’ sex.
Egg Production Of Black Star Chicken
When it comes to laying eggs, the Black Star hen is the best. These hens lay between 250 and 300 big brown eggs a year.
Generally, they begin laying eggs when they are 5 to 6 months old, which is earlier than most other kinds. This amount of output is especially helpful for people who want to make a lot of eggs, either for their own use or to sell.
Meat Production
If you keep Black Stars, you probably do it because they lay great eggs but also make great meat. These birds get big quickly and get a strong, meaty build.
They still make a lot of meat, but not as much as specific types like the Cornish Cross. Fully grown, they usually weigh between 6 and 8 pounds.
Temperament
The nice and quiet nature of Black Star chickens is one of the cutest things about them. People say they are calm and friendly around people, which makes them a good choice for families with kids or people who have never had chickens before.
You can handle them better and add peace to any group because they don’t peck or act fiercely as often.
Hardiness
The Black Star chicken is known for being tough and able to handle a lot of different weather and situations.
They don’t get sick easily, and their good feeding skills help them do well in free-range environments. No matter where you live in a hot, muggy place or a place with cold winters these birds can do well with some basic care and safety.
Broodiness
When compared to some heritage breeds, Black Star hens are less likely to have chicks. Even though they have maternal feelings, laying eggs is more important to them than building a nest and raising chicks. People often see this trait as a benefit for chickens that want to lay eggs instead of raising chicks.
Feeding and Care Of Black Star Chicken
Black Star don’t have too many difficult food needs. Most of the nutrients they need are in a balanced layer feed. Freshwater should always be available, and extras like grit (which helps digestion) and treats like fruits, veggies, or mealworms should be given every so often.