6 week old Speckled Sussex

[EggSighted4Life]

Lots of white on the breast is an indicator of a possible cockerel, but comb size and color are more reliable.

Not on my boys and I've got 3 right now. 6 females. The early white is completely irrelevant and will molt out by the time they hit their teens, in MY experience. My boys chest are very dark now.

Even color is tricky in this breed for gender assessment. Since the guys and gals get the same speckles. There are varying shades of red, brown, and maybe more orange... even between my females. No two are exactly the same. Raise enough and you will see sooo many different tail feathers and rates of feathering even in the same breed and gender. The different tail feathers at least in THIS case aren't yet saying anything.

My boys are completely aloof... and when younger the females had me second guessing the "friendly" factor as well (which I disagree with peeps about Orpington and Swedish Flowers being "friendly"). But as they have come closer to laying (1 or 2 have started) they have sure calmed down and friendly'd up a TON! But NOT all 6 of them. Every single bird will be an individual. The "Sue's" as we call them seem to be VERY food motivated and chatty. The squattier they get the friendlier they are SO far.

I will call them two female. Their actual comb isn't pink AT ALL only the flesh behind or at the base is. But those combs when you look closely are still nice and yellow. And the waddles are also not developed at all. Booie's pic shows a great example of how they would compare if you had two separate genders.

Of course Jed is correct that late bloomers are ALWAYS a possibility! But I'm not suspecting it here.

 

[Alexandra33]

Pretty pullets!

~Alex

 

[#Midlifecrisis]

I'm kinda in the same boat with a set of Sussex just a tad younger than yours. I ordered 6 (4 pullets , 2 roo) from McMurray and received 5. They are thinking one jumped ship somewhere between here and Iowa. The box had a very slight amount of damage. Anyway, the one I'm thinking is a roo just seems "longer" in the body and tail, runs around with an "assertiveness" about him with his head somewhat lowered. I can't distinguish comb size difference much from the others yet either. The chest whiteness is fairly similar amongst the group too. All this being said, I'm kinda disappointed in them. I was drawn to the breed not only by their coloration but their supposed friendly demeanor. These are all very aloof and semi-flighty, not giving me the time of day with the exception of one that seems ok with being picked up. I received one with extra toes and one that is decidedly "runty", remaining 1/4 the size of the others. Probably just the nature of the perhaps over-bred foundation stock.
Good luck with yours. They look very promising.

Thanks! I also ordered 6 chicks: 2 Easter Eggers, 2 Sussex and 2 Bared Rocks. My Barred Rocks are the friendliest, almost too friendly. They like to jump on my back when I'm bent over working in the garden. The Sussex are my best foragers. Love to hunt all day for bugs. They are warming up mostly due to knowing that when fat lady with the shovel comes out to the garden they are going to get tasty grubs, worms and other treats dug up from the soil. They will let me touch them and they will come up to me but neither is too interested in being handled or loved on. My 2 Easter Eggers are flighty and scream bloody murder if my hand comes in contact with them.

 

[#Midlifecrisis]

Congrats, it's a girl!

This is my SS pair at just a few weeks old...just over 4 weeks old....and with the two of them it was so easy to tell right away. Left was the rooster, right was the pullet.

View attachment 1437618

Thank you! Definitely can appreciate the comb difference.

 

[#Midlifecrisis]

Not on my boys and I've got 3 right now. 6 females. The early white is completely irrelevant and will molt out by the time they hit their teens, in MY experience. My boys chest are very dark now.

Even color is tricky in this breed for gender assessment. Since the guys and gals get the same speckles. There are varying shades of red, brown, and maybe more orange... even between my females. No two are exactly the same. Raise enough and you will see sooo many different tail feathers and rates of feathering even in the same breed and gender. The different tail feathers at least in THIS case aren't yet saying anything.

My boys are completely aloof... and when younger the females had me second guessing the "friendly" factor as well (which I disagree with peeps about Orpington and Swedish Flowers being "friendly"). But as they have come closer to laying (1 or 2 have started) they have sure calmed down and friendly'd up a TON! But NOT all 6 of them. Every single bird will be an individual. The "Sue's" as we call them seem to be VERY food motivated and chatty. The squattier they get the friendlier they are SO far.

I will call them two female. Their actual comb isn't pink AT ALL only the flesh behind or at the base is. But those combs when you look closely are still nice and yellow. And the waddles are also not developed at all. Booie's pic shows a great example of how they would compare if you had two separate genders.

Of course Jed is correct that late bloomers are ALWAYS a possibility! But I'm not suspecting it here.

Thank you for your time and expertise! My 2 are friendly but not fond of handling. They like to follow me around because they know I will be digging up a tasty treat sooner or later. Geode, in fact, will come running if I make a clicking sound knowing that I will have come across a nice fat worm or grub.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My Barred Rocks are the friendliest,

Love my rock! Not very many get pet status here.

I have had several really flighty EE. But one who also got pet status because of her calm and demanding personality. Yes... she follows me around sometimes demanding and if I don;t pick her up she will fly to my shoulder, ride me up and down the ladder or while do any number of tasks! It is awesome to have a bird I can handle so easily. It helps to figure out anatomy and know how to handle them and other such things.... After more than 100+ birds... I realize regardless of breed and even upbringing (broody verses hand raised), every single one will be an individual.

If ya got no serious attachment, sell them Sussex off and replace with something else you wanna try, maybe next year to keep your winter production up (depending on ages). I don't think they will completely suddenly change. But I'd probably sell the EE first. It's a very personal choice though.

See, I understand people mean hanging out by your feet as friendly, but that isn't MY version. Actually my rock is lap friendly but on HER terms. If I pet her back she will leave but if I stroke her chest she stays. I do consider them all good birds, even the shyer ones.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Pullets!

FYI: feathering doesn't mean anything until 12 weeks when males get specific feathering.

 

[#Midlifecrisis]

Love my rock! Not very many get pet status here.

I have had several really flighty EE. But one who also got pet status because of her calm and demanding personality. Yes... she follows me around sometimes demanding and if I don;t pick her up she will fly to my shoulder, ride me up and down the ladder or while do any number of tasks! It is awesome to have a bird I can handle so easily. It helps to figure out anatomy and know how to handle them and other such things.... After more than 100+ birds... I realize regardless of breed and even upbringing (broody verses hand raised), every single one will be an individual.

If ya got no serious attachment, sell them Sussex off and replace with something else you wanna try, maybe next year to keep your winter production up (depending on ages). I don't think they will completely suddenly change. But I'd probably sell the EE first. It's a very personal choice though.

See, I understand people mean hanging out by your feet as friendly, but that isn't MY version. Actually my rock is lap friendly but on HER terms. If I pet her back she will leave but if I stroke her chest she stays. I do consider them all good birds, even the shyer ones.

My PR will sit in my lap and hang out. The SS will jump up on the bench next to me, allow me to pet them a little, but are not yet ready to chill in my lap. The 2 EE's are a lost cause I think. They are both so pretty though (to me). I think I'll keep 'em all.

I need to update the pictures, they have already change since these.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Those are still pretty young (er than I realized), and cute.

I also love EE and will likely always have one in my flock. I don't mind having some more nervous birds... cuz let's be real, there is only so much time in a day. They still usually have great personalities and are wonderful fun to watch. And I love animals and realize just like us their little quirks are what make them unique.

Also as they mature they will see the behavior of the others and start to think a little about it... they are monkey see, chicken do little buggers! I really love variety and sounds like you got a GREAT selection.

 

[JedJackson]

Not on my boys and I've got 3 right now. 6 females. The early white is completely irrelevant and will molt out by the time they hit their teens, in MY experience. My boys chest are very dark now.

Even color is tricky in this breed for gender assessment. Since the guys and gals get the same speckles. There are varying shades of red, brown, and maybe more orange... even between my females. No two are exactly the same. Raise enough and you will see sooo many different tail feathers and rates of feathering even in the same breed and gender. The different tail feathers at least in THIS case aren't yet saying anything.

My boys are completely aloof... and when younger the females had me second guessing the "friendly" factor as well (which I disagree with peeps about Orpington and Swedish Flowers being "friendly"). But as they have come closer to laying (1 or 2 have started) they have sure calmed down and friendly'd up a TON! But NOT all 6 of them. Every single bird will be an individual. The "Sue's" as we call them seem to be VERY food motivated and chatty. The squattier they get the friendlier they are SO far.

I will call them two female. Their actual comb isn't pink AT ALL only the flesh behind or at the base is. But those combs when you look closely are still nice and yellow. And the waddles are also not developed at all. Booie's pic shows a great example of how they would compare if you had two separate genders.

Of course Jed is correct that late bloomers are ALWAYS a possibility! But I'm not suspecting it here.

Me either. I think it is a pullet. I've read on here many times where people have said that Jubilee Orpington cockerels have more white on the breast, so I guess I assumed it was true. Or maybe it is true for Orps but not Sussex? In any case, I won't be judging them by that trait again.