Is my Speckled Sussex show quality?

[Ozchicken]

Showing issues aside, it looks to me like the nails on those turned toes are not being worn down naturally due to their position. I would clip them slightly and file them to a natural length, being careful not to clip too far and cause bleeding. They are similar to dog nails and will have living tissue in the centre. The tips are overgrown though. Sometimes trimming nails can improve the foot position slightly.

 

[Illia]

I'd take the last hen shown and the hen on the POW picture, the rest, those toes are a serious issue.

 

[lillypurrs23]

Okay

 

[LoreenH]

Quote:
This how my 2 Sussex appear size-wise.....one is bigger but after seeing these pictures I guess I won't be concerned about her weight...

 

[lillypurrs23]

Why are hatchery chicks undersized?

 

[saladin]

A piece of advice: the others tried to say it very nicely, not sure you got it though.


At an APA/ABA Poultry Show don't show anything with crooked toes. Period. (Sorry I'm not nicer, but you weren't getting the hints).

 

[saladin]

Quote:
Hatchery chicks are generally smaller because the object of a hatchery is production=money. Larger sized birds produce less eggs (generally speaking). Which is why commercial hens are nearly bantam sized.

 

[LoreenH]

I'll have to post a pic of one of my hatchery Speckled Sussex, Miss Piggy (she got that name when she was a couple of days old). Most people think she's a roo because she's bigger than the other pullets (Wyandottes, Easter Eggers and one other Speckled Sussex). I don't know if the others are undersized or not. Not that it matters, I didn't get them for show