Has anyone purchased Speckled Sussex from Ideal?

[Kelly G]

Do you have any pictures? I'm thinking of ordering some day olds from them...I've been on a waiting list, and they just contacted me with availability for this month.


I just wonder if they'll be as pretty as many I've seen on here? I appreciate any input!

 

[Judy]

They will be hatchery quality, not show quality, but sure, they will be pretty. Mine are from McMurray, but probably quite similar. One was my first egg layer this year. And they are docile and quiet.

 

[Kelly G]

Yeah, I'm definitely not interested in showing. I've got my hands full showing horses!

I just want to see what the average SS looks like.

Anyone?

 

[nwgirl]

I absolutely adore my SS. She is the sweetest 'lil thing, curious, and extremely friendly, but I wouldn't say quiet. Lately she's been quacking like a duck

This is Baby 12 weeks old.

 

[briznian]

We have one SS from Ideal that is now 20.5 weeks old. She was the largest of the six we ordered. She is extremely friendly. While the others are scratching around the yard she will follow us around trying to beg treats instead. She also was our first layer just this last week. I'll post some pix later.

 

[verlaj]

Sorry it took me so long to get my photos up. My BYC upload quota is full!

These are my Ideal SS - hatched 5/5/09. I ordered 5 pullets - got 3 pullets and 2 roos!! Already gave away one roo that started crowing at 5 weeks. They other one is quiet and well-behaved, but I have no doubt about its sex! Maybe he will stay under the radar - could be a gentleman roo! Anyway - I LOVE THESE BIRDS!! I ordered them because I had read so many posts that mentioned their wonderful disposition. This is so true. They are definitely the calmest, most curious, friendliest chickens of the 8 different breeds I ended up with. I'm bummed that I only got 60% pullets in the SS chicks.

I welcome any advice on using photobucket to upload pictures! Hope this works for you!

http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360/verlaj/?albumview=grid

 

[Renee]

I bought three pullets from Ideal last year March.

All three were very pretty, well speckled throughout with a bit more white than what you want in a show bird, but not bad.

One turned out to be a rooster: Speckled Sussex are very hard to sex.

One lives at brother in law's ranch and has raised her first chicks. She's happy and healthy and still gorgeous. She has not yet moulted, so she still has all of her original color (they tend to lose color as they age).

My darling, Nugget, died from a sour crop last year. She was a real beauty, but she would eat anything including straw, pine shavings, timothy hay... we had to put her down after her third bout with it. She had lost so much weight, and she was just starving to death. I don't know if this is a problem with the breed, the individual bird, or Ideal's stock.

Renee

 

[Kelly G]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the pictures and info! I can't wait to place my order, now!

We're on vacation up in N.C. mountains for another week and a half