Black Sex Link photo: Nature Whisperer (Public domain) · ISA Brown photo: Mercoaves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Black Sex Link vs ISA Brown
Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.
The quick verdict
The ISA Brown is the stronger layer — about 280–320 eggs a year against the Black Sex Link's 250–300.
The Black Sex Link is the bigger bird at 5–7 lbs — more presence and more meat, but more feed and coop space than the ISA Brown.
Choose the Black Sex Link if you want…
- Nearly identical on paper — comes down to looks and what's available locally
Choose the ISA Brown if you want…
- More eggs — up to 320 a year
- Compact — less space and feed
Side by side
| Trait | Black Sex Link | ISA Brown |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Egg layer | Egg layer |
| Eggs per year | 250–300 | ✓280–320 |
| Egg color | Brown | Brown |
| Egg size | Large | Large |
| Hen weight | 5–7 lbs | 4–5 lbs |
| Temperament | Friendly and hardy | Docile and affectionate |
| Cold hardy | Yes | Yes |
| Heat tolerant | Yes | Yes |
| Broodiness | Rarely broody | Rarely broody |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | Yes |
Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.
More head-to-heads
Black Sex Link or ISA Brown — track whichever you pick
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.
