The Sussex thread!

[call ducks]

Hello everybody, I just ordered my first sussex hatching eggs and thought I'd introduce myself here. I can't wait to get some chicks! I'd love to hear from Sussex lovers about their disposition. Are they as laid back as Cochins? How is their egg production? I've been reading all I can find about them, but whould like to hear from people that have them!

In myopion, the sussex are much more laid back then cochins. At least my line is. Belive it or not, how laid back chickens are has some to do with lines. OR at least thats what i am thinking.

 

[Gofygure]

Hello everybody, I just ordered my first sussex hatching eggs and thought I'd introduce myself here. I can't wait to get some chicks! I'd love to hear from Sussex lovers about their disposition. Are they as laid back as Cochins? How is their egg production? I've been reading all I can find about them, but whould like to hear from people that have them!

Hello! I think you'll be happy with your decision: They're beautiful and very even-tempered birds. I have both Cochins and SS and the Cochins are a bit more docile and eager to interact with me. The Sussex are happiest when they're allowed to go about their business and will occasionally pop by to see what you're doing. Every bird is unique, though, and different lines have different temperaments. I even have one pullet who is essentially feral and spent about a week living in the wild.

I really like SS roos, though. Never had an aggressive one and they look after the ladies well. This guy survived a fox attack and is...ah...silly, but endearing...

 

[call ducks]

Ohh yes,

To any one breeding sussex and wishing to track there birds i highly recomened Zip Wing bands.... The first chick is hard to band but trust me they get easier!

 

[Arielle]

Ohh yes,

To any one breeding sussex and wishing to track there birds i highly recomened Zip Wing bands.... The first chick is hard to band but trust me they get easier!

HAaahaa-- you hit on exactly why I haven't banded. It seems hard to do. WHere did you buy your bands??

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
I bought my bands and pliers from Randall Burkey Company. You could get a way with out buying the pliers and just use flat head pliers. Not sure how easy it would be with a fidgeting chick in your hand, as these pliers fit snug in to the revet. I band mine when they are a week to week and half.

 

[Arielle]

SOmetimes the right device is worth the extra money, for sure!! Is it a one size fits all sizing?

 

[Gofygure]

SOmetimes the right device is worth the extra money, for sure!! Is it a one size fits all sizing?

Wing bands are all the same size. They're quite small.

I think people get intimidated by the idea of what it takes and what can go wrong, but when you're actually holding the chick it's very easy to determine where the band should go. If they're older than a few days you will want someone else to hold them still.

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
I can do it all my self at a week/week half. I hold the chick in my left hand grab the wing tag, poke it up thourgh the wing membrane then grab the pilers and clamp it.


Yes they are one size fits all. Do not place to far back. Honestly i was very scrared to do the first one. I could almost do it and then the chick started to squak and i then just paused.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
I can do it all my self at a week/week half. I hold the chick in my left hand grab the wing tag, poke it up thourgh the wing membrane then grab the pilers and clamp it.


Yes they are one size fits all. Do not place to far back. Honestly i was very scrared to do the first one. I could almost do it and then the chick started to squak and i then just paused.
That would be me!!! LOL a squawk would make me pause--concerned I was truely hurting it.

I see where a flat nose plier could work with your method call ducks. Wonder if there are online videos showing the procedure. I'm still so new to birds that small body parts like wing tag sounds like foreign word. Much to learn.

 

[TwistOfFate]

In myopion, the sussex are much more laid back then cochins. At least my line is. Belive it or not, how laid back chickens are has some to do with lines. OR at least thats what i am thinking.

That's great news! Any chance you have some hatching eggs for sale? I'd love to have some babies from your lines to compare with the ones I just purchased!