Improving the Red Sussex size....

[pdsavage]

Ok the Red Sussex are on the small side and I want to improve thier size but not lose the color...
They acually need more darker mahagony color and less ticking,so should I take my buff sussex who is still a chick but came from large Aussi blood line and breed her/him or will it dilute the red to much?
I would love to find a nice big mahagony Red Sussex or something that looks close to it and big.....

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
I would think that the Buff Sussex will dilute your red's alot. Do you have time on your hands? You could try crossing out of the breed...

Chris

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
I would think that the Buff Sussex will dilute your red's alot. Do you have time on your hands? You could try crossing out of the breed...

Chris

Well if I could find a nice big mahagony roo 7 + pounds then I would try outside the breed...anyone have any good breed ideas to bring size and darker color in?

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
I would think that the Buff Sussex will dilute your red's alot. Do you have time on your hands? You could try crossing out of the breed...

Chris

Well if I could find a nice big mahagony roo 7 + pounds then I would try outside the breed...anyone have any good breed ideas to bring size and darker color in?

If you get a good Exhibition Single Comb R.I. Red rooster that should do the trick.
If I am right the chicks should come out a good bit darker with white legs.

Chris

 

[pdsavage]

That was what I was thinking cause its the only thing closes to what im looking for,how big does a nice RIR get?
Plus it might improve the egg size some....

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
American Standard of Perfection Weight calls for -

Cock …………8 ½ lbs Hens ………………6 ½ lbs
Cockerel ……7 ½ lbs Pullets ……………5 ½ lbs

I believe my roosters are around 9 lbs and around 28 to 30 inches tall.
You can get some decent Reds from Matt Johns (Shady Lane Poultry)

http://www.shadylanepoultry.com/exhbreeds.html

Chris

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
American Standard of Perfection Weight calls for -

Cock …………8 ½ lbs Hens ………………6 ½ lbs
Cockerel ……7 ½ lbs Pullets ……………5 ½ lbs

I believe my roosters are around 9 lbs and around 28 to 30 inches tall.
You can get some decent Reds from Matt Johns (Shady Lane Poultry)

http://www.shadylanepoultry.com/exhbreeds.html

Chris

Thank you

 

[blackdotte]

The problems you will face using a breed such as RIR or Buckeyes as an out-cross is that
1) They are Wheaten bred so you will lose your blue/grey undercolour.
2) They are yellow skinned/shanked, and whilst the first cross will have white shanks, the yellow being recessive will come back time & time again.
A dark Partridge Rock (or Wyandotte) would overcome 1) but you would still have 2) to deal with.
Best way is a large Speckled Sussex, how do they compare with the Reds?
David

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
The Speckled Sussex are pretty much the same size.....