Cruel is keeping the thing alive any longer. Most likely the bird will not be able to walk, won't be able to feed itself and is partially blind. These are three things that all chickens need to survive. Even the hen knew this and didn't want to care for it.
Wherever else it goes, it will...
http://books.google.com/books?ei=Rt3WUYiQNc2g4AP3o4CICg&id=rAYYAQAAIAAJ&dq=american+standard+of+perfection+poultry&jtp=210#v=onepage&q&f=false
APA Sanctioned shows (you fair may not be) use the Standard of Perfection as the guide for judging. Both your Sussex and Partridge Rock are...
It's not too late. You can send in your entry form, then as long as you get your test done before the show you will be fine. The rules can be a little intimidating, but really they are simple.
Check the listing for your state on this list...
That darker colored bird is a male. No such thing as red pencilled. Sometimes people cross breed and make up names. The orange ones will remain mostly orange, with a little pattern on the wings. The one on the left appears to be female. Check the photos in this thread link below, from Aug 16...
Nice width from front through to the tail. This is what you want. This is something that is desirable all breeds. It is obvious from the photo that this is a bird of great substance.
This is good information... Regarding summer hatching, here the birds never finish as well as those hatched earlier. Pehaps feed intake is down due to water consumption?
Has anyone found that increased heat early in development causes combs to grow overly large? Why is this?
Sweet!! That is a great hatch rate. Thanks for the culling tips.
Here's a female at one month.
here is a male the same age of the female above.
two males on the right, and a female on the left.
here is a pair at 9 weeks.
I always see what you are speaking of here. By 3 to 4 weeks, genders are obvious, no in-betweens or questionables. No surprises, either. I guess this is a good thing. Congratualations on your hatches.
What are the deal breakers in your cockerels that you are culling for at this age?
hey I see you are from Virginia, I think I met you at the Dinwiddie swap... I use Southern States brand feed exclusively. It is priced well, and they have great choices. My favorite feed by far that I feed to hens as well as males AND chicks once they reach about 12 weeks is Southern States...