Confused - Are Lt. Brahmas and Lt. Sussex the same?

I have 6 pullets sold to me as Light Brahmas. In looking through the breeds, I find the Light Sussex that looks just like my Light Brahma. If these aren't the same bird with different names, they must be somehow related. Right? I'm thinking about adding some Speckled Sussex to my flock but I want the lighter buff colored ones like I saw at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Anyone know if that's a special variety?

The only relation between those 2 breeds is the color pattern - columbian. Other breeds have it too. Wyandottes, cochins, rocks to name a few.

I'm at the other end of the country so I'm not sure what they have at the zoo in Seattle. You mentioned they're lighter buff, can you describe them more?

Lt. Brahmas and Lt. Sussex are different breed of chicken total difference in Size, Shape, Comb type and Brahmas has feathered feet. To my Knowledge are not related..
The only thing they have in common is there color and that there both a Columbian pattern.
Other breeds that have that same coloring are--
Old English Game Bantams, Plymouth Rocks, Leghorns, Wyandottes, Cochin and so on...

Chris

There is a feather pattern called "Columbian" that many breeds have. White body feathers with black in tail and around the neck and shoulders. It is very attractive, isn't it? You can find it as Columbian Rocks, Columbina Wyandottes, etc. Sometimes the color pattern is referred to as "Light".

Light Sussex should have the Columbian pattern with clean white/pinkish legs. and I believe a single comb.

Light Brahmas should have the Columbian pattern with feathered legs and a pea comb.

So while the feather pattern may look similar, there are other features you will need to use to determine what breed you are actually close to.

Can you see where if you have Columbian pattern with clean white/pinkish legs and a pea comb that you could describe your birds as either
Light Brahmas with non-SOP legs
or
Light Sussex with non-SOP comb?

The whole breed thing with chickens is more about how closely they resemble the SOP (Standard of Perfection) as defined by the APA (American Poultry Association) or other associations in your locality than what bloodline they come from. There is no registry for pure breeds like there is for cattle or horses.

Brahmas have feathered legs and are a MUCH larger bird; sussex do not have feathered legs. Brahmas have pea combs; sussex have single combs. Body type is different, as well as size and combs. Light brahmas and light sussex are both silver columbian coloured. From feathersite: a light brahma and a light sussex.


Are you wanting ones like (from feathersite):
or like: ? (Couldn't find a mille fleur sussex)

Thanks to everyone for the education It appears I have Light Brahmas - feathered feet, yellow legs, small (almost non-existent combs) and quite large birds. My 7 week old pullets are nearly as large as a Leghorn I once owned. Sonoran Silkies: I love that buff color hen with the chicks. I like the body shape better than the speckled hen. I'm not crazy about the downward sloping wings or the larger comb, but I do like that speckled coloring. What breed is that buff hen? To everyone: Is there a breed that might have many of the features I particularly like (large body, small comb, wings tucked to sides, speckled or penciled coloring)? I've been looking at the Laced Wyandottes, too, but the hatchery birds I've seen were disappointing. I suppose that's why one must look to a breeder to get birds that are closer to the SOP.

That was a buff columbian susses. Here are some buff (columbian) brahmas (all from feathersite):


They come in both bantam and large fowl, but bantam buffs are far more common.

Sounds like dark brahmas may fit your criteria. Here is a link to the brahma page at feathersite, some of these colors are hard to find in the U.S.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Brahma/BRKBrahma.html

WOW! The Dark Brahma is eye candy to me That's a winner. Thanks so much for the link. Looks like mine is going to be a Brahma flock. Thanks again, everyone.

Sounds like you like the brahma type birds, alot of work is being done on a wealth of new color patterns, search for silver lace brahma, buff laced brahma or golden laced brahma. When a poultry breeder spends alot of time and money breeding to develope a new color pattern , the birds are rare and very costly. Checkout recent hatching egg auctions to see that sometimes a doz. hatching eggs can sell at auction for over a thousand dollars. You will find brahmas to be a great bird to work with, they have a great temperment, stand confinement well, and generally perform wonderfully. They are my favorite breed, good luck with your flock.