Amberlink chicken, a hybrid chicken breed, are a unique and reliable option for farmers, originating from Isa Hendrix genetics in the 1970’s. Known for being both cold hardy and heat hardy, these chickens thrive in various environments. As heavy egg layers, they produce up to 270 eggs per year, with Medium to Large sizes.
Referred to as Dekalb Amberlink, they are celebrated for their exceptional egg laying ability, making them a popular choice among backyard breeds. Beyond their impressive egg production, they possess a calm demeanor and balanced temperament, paired with excellent foraging skills.
Amberlink chicken-Short Explanation
Amberlink chickens are a hybrid breed known for their exceptional egg-laying ability, producing an average of 270 brown eggs per year. They are friendly, social, and low maintenance, thriving in both cold and hot climates. While they have a shorter lifespan of around 3 to 4 years, they are great foragers, adaptable, and perfect for those seeking high egg production in a backyard setting.
While they do come with some problems, their hardiness and well balanced nature make them an attractive option for farmers seeking a dependable breed.
A Hybrid Chicken Breed
An Amberlink chicken is a hybrid, developed through selective breeding over several generations to meet specific characteristics like egg-laying ability and hardiness. Unlike a purebred chicken, such as the Rhode Island Red, where both parents are of the same breed, a hybrid involves crossing different breeds to reach a particular end goal.
This makes the breeding process more complex compared to a crossbreed, which simply involves mating two different breeds without a detailed long-term plan. The goal of selective breeding is to combine the best traits of different breeds, resulting in a more productive and resilient chicken.
For those interested in traditional breeds with a long history, the Dominique Chicken offers a fascinating look into America’s early poultry heritage.
Amberlink Chicken: Background and Origin
The Amberlink chicken was developed in the United States during the 1970’s by ISA Hendrix Genetics. Known as Dekalb Amberlink, it belongs to the family of egg production breeds. This hybrid breed was created by crossing a white breed with a red breed, combining characteristics from breeds like the Rhode Island and ISA Brown.
In fact, white Plymouth Rock chickens can also be used in the breeding process. However, it’s important to note that breeding pairs might not always produce an Amberlink chicken. Sometimes, the offspring can end up being Rhode Island Reds or Isa Browns, with a 50/50 chance of success. This randomness is due to the complex and random nature of genes involved in the breeding.
Over time, the Amberlink chicken has gained popularity as a common and popular choice for those seeking reliable egg production. While some may attempt to breed them, many prefer to buy the chickens directly since breeding can often result in failure.
The breeding process isn’t guaranteed, and despite efforts to increase the odds, you can never be sure of the outcome. Therefore, the Amberlink chicken has become a favored breed for many farmers who need consistent layers.
Amberlink Chicken: Pros and Cons of Raising Amberlink Chickens
Pros:
- Amberlink chickens are excellent egg layers due to their hybrid nature, having been crossed with other breeds to target and improve their egg-laying trait.
- They excel in egg production, making them a top choice for those looking for high-performing chicken breeds.
- The hybrid breeding process helps them outperform many non-hybrid chickens in the areas they are bred for, like egg production.
Cons:
- Hybrid chickens, including Amberlink chickens, tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to non-hybrid breeds.
- Breeding two Amberlinks together doesn’t always result in an Amberlink offspring, making the breeding process more difficult.
- The offspring of Amberlinks can sometimes be from other breeds like Rhode Island Reds or ISA Browns, so breeding them is not always a guaranteed success.
Amberlink Chicken: Appearance and Characteristics
What Do They Look Like
The Amberlink chicken has distinct physical traits that make it easy to identify. Males, or roosters, weigh around 5 – 6 pounds and typically have red feathers with white underneath.
Females, or hens, are slightly smaller, usually weighing between 4 – 5 pounds, and are mostly white with a reddish-brown tint to their feathers, especially around their wings, shoulders, and tails. Their overall feathering and color patterns are striking, with a beautiful mix of red, Amber, and sometimes shades of yellow in their plumage.
Size, Feathering, and Color
In terms of comb and wattles, the Amberlink chicken has a single red comb and a pair of bright red wattles. These features are important for maintaining their body temperature. Amberlink chickens can resemble Delaware chickens due to their similar appearance, but a closer look will reveal their unique color patterns.
The cockos (males) often have more Amber in their plumage as they mature, which is how they got their name. When fully grown, roosters weigh about 6 lb (2.72 kg) while hens tend to weigh around 4 lb (1.81 kg), making them a lean, medium-sized chicken with a well-defined and attractive look.
Amberlink Chicken: Differences Between Roosters and Hens
When Amberlink chickens hatch, both males and females are the same color, making it hard to tell them apart initially. They are not sex-linked, but you can wing sexed to determine the gender.
If you’re unsure, you can wait until the chickens are several weeks old, at which point color differences will begin developing, allowing you to distinguish between the roosters and hens more easily.
Amberlink Chicken: Personality and Temperament
Amberlink chickens are known for their friendly and social nature. They love interacting with both humans and animals, including horses, cats, and dogs. These chickens are playful and energetic, often chasing you around the coop if they know you’re carrying feed or snacks.
This behavior is believed to come from their Isa Brown lineage, which is known for being easygoing and affectionate. Unlike some other breeds, Amberlink chickens are very calm and stress-free, making them perfect for a backyard chicken environment.
Despite their active nature, Amberlinks are also self-sufficient and excellent foragers, able to find food even without extra snacks, as long as there is a thick field nearby. They are adaptable to various climates, thriving in both cold weather and intense heat, making them hardy and low maintenance.
Amberlinks are easygoing, don’t depend on constant attention, and are a great investment for anyone looking for low maintenance chickens that are both social and capable of taking care of themselves.
Amberlink Chickens Egg Laying
Amberlink chickens are highly valued for their egg production capabilities. These high production birds are excellent egg layers, often laying up to 270 brown eggs per year. Their friendly and low maintenance nature makes them a great addition to any flock, whether for eating eggs, making money, or as a pet.
Just like the Mystic Marans, Amberlink chickens are known for producing rich brown eggs with consistent quality and frequency throughout the year.
Besides their impressive egg output, Amberlinks are also foragers, which helps reduce feed costs, giving them a better egg conversion ratio compared to some other breeds. They thrive in various climates, handling both hot and cold weather, making them hardy all year round.
Though Amberlinks are not ideal as meat producers, their consistent egg-laying ability makes them a great investment for the egg business, offering revenue year-round, even in the winter months. As hybrid birds, they combine the best traits of different breeds for proficient egg production.
If you prefer larger birds that provide both meat and eggs, the Bielefelder Chicken is an excellent dual-purpose option to explore.
Amberlink Chicken: General Care and Potential Health Issues
Care and Health Concerns
Amberlink chickens are known for their productivity in egg laying, but with this hybrid breed come some health issues that need attention. They are prone to egg-laying problems such as peritonitis, egg binding, prolapse, and even tumors due to their high egg production rate.
These chickens need a good balance of nutrition, including protein, to prevent protein deficiencies that could lead to extreme stress or even depression. It’s important to provide them with comfortable, clean shelters and reduce their stress to ensure they live longer, as their lifespan is typically short.
Additionally, Amberlinks can suffer from erratic egg production as they age, and their reproductive health can decline, so it’s crucial to maintain a consistent diet with quality feed and allow them to forage when possible to support their health.
Amberlink Chicken: Lifespan
Amberlink chickens are a hybrid breed, and like most hybrids, they have a shorter lifespan compared to purebred chickens. While purebred chickens can live up to 8 years, hybrids typically live only 3 to 4 years. This is mainly due to how their genes are interspliced, which affects their natural ability to live as long as purebred chickens.
Amberlink chickens will be very productive in their first year, but after that, their egg laying ability starts to decline, often resulting in a downward spiral in their productivity.
Amberlink Chicken: Tips for Raising Amberlink Chickens
- Provide a secure shelter made of wood or metal to protect your chickens from wild predators and harsh weather.
- Set up a fence around their living area to keep them safe and ensure they have enough lighting to regulate their egg laying, especially during the cold season.
- Feed your Amberlink chickens 18-24% protein feed while they are chicks, and reduce it to 16-18% once they mature to help them reach their maximum potential for egg laying.
- Ensure they have access to quality feed to maintain their health and productivity.
- Schedule regular professional checkups with a vet to monitor their health and get a second opinion on their care.
- Work with a hatcher to properly raise your Amberlinks and ensure they grow to be healthy and productive.
- Keep in mind that while Amberlinks are among the sweetest birds, they still require a provider who is committed to their care.
- With proper care, these hybrid breeds can reward you with over 270 eggs per year and be a great investment for your flock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color eggs do Amberlink chickens lay?
Amberlink chickens lay large brown eggs, which are often darker and richer in color compared to other sex-link breeds.
What is the difference between an amber link hen and a rooster?
Roosters have longer, pointed tail feathers, while hens have rounder tails. In behavior, roosters tend to strut and show protective behavior, while hens are quieter and focused on scratching for food.
How long do Amberlink chickens live?
While the lifespan of chickens can vary based on several factors, Amberlink chickens generally live a few years less than standard breeds due to the strain caused by their high egg production.
Are Amberlink chickens good layers?
Amberlink chickens are exceptional egg layers, bred specifically for their excellent laying ability, with an average of 270 eggs per year.
Conclusion
Amberlink chickens are a highly productive hybrid breed that excels in egg production, often laying up to 270 eggs per year. Known for their friendly and social nature, they are a great addition to any backyard flock and are low maintenance. Despite their impressive egg-laying abilities, they do come with challenges, including a shorter lifespan and potential health issues due to their high egg production.
However, with proper nutrition, comfortable shelters, and professional care, Amberlink chickens can thrive, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for reliable, year-round egg production.
