Sapphire Gem Opinions Please!

[Bear4boo]

We are considering getting a couple of sapphire gem chicks. For those of you who have this breed, do you recommend? We live in Wisconsin.

 

[DaisyG2317]

I picked up a Sapphire Gem chick 2 years ago from my local feed store. Wouldn't you know it, even though they are sex-linked, I ended up with a rooster He was an extremely good rooster to his flock. He died protecting them from a coyote last year.

So while I can't say anything in regards to their egg laying, ect, I can say that the Sapphire Gem roosters are great birds.

 

[Ocho 8 Farm]

I have 2 sapphire gems !
One is super talkative and she lays HUGE eggs almost everyday. The other one is so smart and sweet, she is actually my favorite she also lays almost everyday.
As far as the weather goes they do great in the warm weather but one had frost bite on her comb (very small spot)
I love them tho! Very glad I got them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have 2 sapphire gems I got in ApriI. They haven't laid yet. I have had one before. The egg is big. I hear they are egg layers that don't live a real long time. Mine are about as friendly as a leghorn also.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Sapphire gems are production hybrids, bred to lay a lot for a few years, then either stop laying completely or get a reproductive disease and die. I’ve heard that they’re nice friendly birds, though I haven’t had one myself. If the one in your photo is one you’re thinking about getting, I’d advise against it. That little guy looks like a cockerel, with barring on his feathers. Hens are all blue, and the roosters are barred, that’s where the sex-linking comes in.

 

[Essee]

We are considering getting a couple of sapphire gem chicks. For those of you who have this breed, do you recommend? We live in Wisconsin.

I have 3 and they are consistent layers and pretty friendly. I did read someone's post they are prone to frostbite, not sure 100% about that, but I live in Tennessee.

 

[aimee750]

From Iowa -
I have had two sapphire gems, loved them, so calm and nice. The hen laid very dependably every day. The roo did nothing to protect the ladies but was so nice I gifted him to a friend who loved him. He also got frostbite on his comb twice the winter I had him.

 

[Chesco]

-15C mine just got the tip of one of her comb points frost bitten.
I had to make a 2nd coup out of cardboard/plastic/blankets for the Garage until Winter passes in about a month. Suprizingly worked out great in the Garage, i also let them free range during the mornings. But i wanted to confirm, yes their combs ARE prone to frostbite.
But i swear to god this bird is the sweetest girl ever and loves to be picked up and hugged! Lays almost daily too, starting at 4 months! 100% recommend this breed.

Anyone know how to make them??

 

[theoldchick]

I have several. As mentioned they are a hybrid breed bred to lay eggs. Most of mine did not make it past three years. One was donated for veterinary education, returned to me as a spayed hen who now crows and thinks she's a rooster. The last two remaining are now five years old, don't lay but don't cause any problems like aggression.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have five SG hens, they hatched in April and lay dependably. They bonded nicely with me as pullets and used to come running and flapping when I called, which I loved. That stopped when they started laying but they are still calm, friendly birds. I like them a lot. Did not know about the short lifespan but I generally rotate mine out at about 3 years anyway.