Brown Sussex genetics

[3riverschick]

@nicalandia
Marvin, what you described as a brown Sussex is essentially a red Sussex isn't it? but when I look at Sharpe's book online, the pictures that he shows of the brown Sussex hen look very much like a Wheaten Marans hen carrying The Unwanted mahogany Factor. the top is darker brown and the bottom part of the cream-colored .
This is why I'm confused. I thought a red Sussex was basically the speckled Sussex without the speckles.
so why is everybody trying to create a brown Sussex when essentially they're creating a red Sussex... when Sharpe is showing as a Brown Sussex... a bird that obviously is on the Wheaton allele instead with the Mahogany gene.
I'm confused.
See Sharpe : the book of the Sussex .at Hathitrust Digital Library.
Best,
Karen

 

[Angeline1978]

History

• Developed by Professor Punnett and Mr Pease at Cambridge in the first half of the 20th century as an auto-sexing breed with the characteristics of a Light Sussex, the leading breed at the time
• Brown Sussex and Barred Rocks were used initially to create the auto-sexing plumage with utility strains of Light Sussex added to improve productivity.
  
  
• I'm not for sure, that's why I'm asking to begin with. To me there are many differences between the two breeds you describe. Eyes, legs,color,and stenciling
• The picture above of Brown Sussex is on the Rare Breed Survival Trust. Thank you for your interest in this. I get the feeling that most don't care because they are not a show breed here and neither is the Brussbar. Thank you again.

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you so much for the picture .that doesn't look at all like the brown Sussex I see some people creating.
What I see them creating is a red Sussex and calling it a brown Sussex. early literature on the breed back went outram was writing in the early 1920s, was the red Sussex and the brown Sussex were pretty much the same bird . But the bird in your picture and the bird in Sharpe's book look like they're based on the Wheaton allele. these birds that people are calling Brown Sussex in the US look like a red Sussex instead.
Best,
Karen

 

[Angeline1978]

I have noticed that. I have even seen "Brown buff"? Lol

 

[Angeline1978]

To me looks like cross between silver or buff Sussex and Leghorn. I amazing bout concerned about earlobes of Leghorn. Im not for sure on male sussex crossing Leghorn hen or visa versa. What do you think?

 

[Angeline1978]

They look like silver Sussex with stenciling just need the brown. Hey!!!...

 

[nicalandia]

Thank you so much for the picture .that doesn't look at all like the brown Sussex I see some people creating

Most people really don't know what they are doing at times, Legends like Mr. Punnet and Michael Peace created the Brussbar and many other autosexing breed basing their work on the Autosexing properties of the e+(wildtype) e allele, may people may not know this but you can't create autosexing(or at least with the accuracy required to be called "Autosexing") breed based on Wheaten and Barring, the Delaware breed is an example of this, they are Silver, wheaten Barred Columbian, the only difference between them and Autosexing Rhodebars is the Wheaten allele(and silver and red enhancers that do not contribute to autosexing)

So true Brown Sussex are based on the e+ allele, no if you are dead set on recreating them you would need a Sussex line that carries the e+ allele like the Speckled Sussex or any other Sussex that carries the e+ allele and breed out the unwanted genes.

 

[Angeline1978]

Thank you so much. More research!

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you Marvin. I truly didn't know Brown Sussex were based on e+.
Best,
Karen

 

[nicalandia]

Thank you Marvin. I truly didn't know Brown Sussex were based on e+.
Best,
Karen

Thank you so much. More research!

How about if instead of getting rid of the unwanted genes to recreate the Brussbar, you create your own "Autosexing" Flowery Sussex? Basing your genetics on the blue print for the beautiful 55 Flowery Leghorns...

The roosters will be white and the hens will be "Flowery"