fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

I know nothing of the Sussex standard but Samuel seems to have richer color and a bit nicer comb. I love the spots/spangles.
Both are very handsome!

Thanks!

This fellow is a prize-winning example of the standard. Both my boys aren't quite into their adult plumage, but have elements of the standard including mahogany color. A breeder told me the darker brown the better. Joel isn't as dark but has nice tips on his wings, lined up fairly well.

 

[NanaK]

Wow! He really has rich color. It was really nice of the breeder to give you advice.

One thing I've noticed in some breeds with patterns, after adult molt the pattern gets more defined.

 

[fuzzi]

Wow! He really has rich color. It was really nice of the breeder to give you advice.

One thing I've noticed in some breeds with patterns, after adult molt the pattern gets more defined.

One of my other cockerels was lighter, had more of an orange coloring, so I didn't want to use him for breeding. I took him to the local auction where he caused a bidding war!

Hopefully he's got his own harem by now.

The breeder is also a judge. She said the SS bantam standard is hard to get just right, and she's been breeding them for 23 years.

 

[3KillerBs]

How did I overlook this?
View attachment 3561450

Fixed!
View attachment 3561454

It probably opened up as the structure settled and moved in the wind.

We had a little excitement this morning...

I cleaned and refilled the waterers before getting ready for church. As I was about to go back inside I noticed all the Sussex were congregated in one spot, near the back of the hoop coop, and being noisy. I thought maybe one of the hens had finally laid an egg so I went back inside and looked to see what was agitating the flock.

It wasn't an egg, it was a snake. And it was trying to get inside the coop. The markings looked like a Copperhead, so I grabbed a shovel and long handled pruning shears and headed over to where the snake was.

Spoiler: Graphic description

I hit the snake in the middle to cripple it, then took the shears to cut it behind the head.
View attachment 3563251

It was about two feet long, and would have posed a danger to anyone walking around the yard, including my dog. It's feeding the woodland creatures now.

If my chickens hadn't noticed that snake and gotten agitated, and if I'd not checked to see what was upsetting them that venomous snake could have bitten someone in the yard.

Sorry, snake. No Copperheads allowed in my yard.

Glad this worked out.

Black rat snakes EAT Copperheads, woo!

That's one of the reasons I don't kill the rat snakes, even when they take my chicks. They're so beneficial otherwise.

 

[fuzzi]

Today I offered a piece of cardboard that was covered with pillbugs. The flock were hesitant about approaching it, but then Joel checked it out. He picked up a bug and offered it to a pullet, then repeated the process until all the bugs were gone.

Joel is Da Boss Roo.

 

[fuzzi]

No eggs yet!

Pullets have flaming red combs.

Straw is still in the nest boxes, with the fake eggs.

No evidence of nests elsewhere.

I keep checking...

 

[3KillerBs]

Today I offered a piece of cardboard that was covered with pillbugs. The flock were hesitant about approaching it, but then Joel checked it out. He picked up a bug and offered it to a pullet, then repeated the process until all the bugs were gone.

PERFECT!

 

[fuzzi]

Roll Call!!!

All nine in one photo, what are the odds?

Joel, the Captain:

He's got a long and lovely tail, it's just not showing at this angle.

Samuel, First Mate:

Hannah and Martha:

Rahab:

The Littles...not so little!

Abigail, the bold:

She and her sister Naomi are both stretching out their necks to snatch bits of grapes from my fingers, but Abigail was the first to do so.

Another photo of Samuel, just because he's so handsome!

 

[fuzzi]

About the Speckled Sussex standard...

Samuel is darker, which is good. His comb, though, has too many points, should be five. Joel's comb is better, and his wing speckles are lining up nicely.

 

[NanaK]

Is this Hannah with her red girly comb?

It's a sign!


Everyone's looking good!