Odd Light Sussex Rooster?

[Darren Leonard]

I have him in a dog crate for a day until I have a wooden box for him. Here are some photos of him. Is he a light Sussex?

 

[PouleChick]

Hmm not sure - certainly a bit different to my girl but I'm a newbie so not really sure!

 

[Sneebsey]

I see yellow tones so I believe he is impure for silver. I also believe I can see some mahogany in the tail. I'd guess he will turn out somewhat like mine eventually.

His body shape is wide like a Sussex and he will bulk out a bit, but he lacks depth; his keel bone ought to be lower for good dual-purpose type. He may produce good layers, but some will lack the meat qualities of the true Sussex.

 

[Darren Leonard]

I see yellow tones so I believe he is impure for silver. I also believe I can see some mahogany in the tail. I'd guess he will turn out somewhat like mine eventually.

I see yellow tones so I believe he is impure for silver. I also believe I can see some mahogany in the tail. I'd guess he will turn out somewhat like mine eventually.

His body shape is wide like a Sussex and he will bulk out a bit, but he lacks depth; his keel bone ought to be lower for good dual-purpose type. He may produce good layers, but some will lack the meat qualities of the true Sussex.

His body shape is wide like a Sussex and he will bulk out a bit, but he lacks depth; his keel bone ought to be lower for good dual-purpose type. He may produce good layers, but some will lack the meat qualities of the true Sussex.

If I breed him will the chicks be light Sussex? What's an impure for silver? Is it to much trouble to keep him away from the rest of the flock till he matures? Can I keep my 3 new hens in with him once I build a big wooden box? I have a second coop and it's 4.5 foot by 4 foot. It's right beside my coop that's in use. Can I keep him in their instead of building a big wooden box? Or will it be no use since there is only a wall between them?

 

[JedJackson]

You can absolutely keep him in your second coop as long as it has a shelter for him to get out of the wind and rain/snow. And you can keep the other hens with him if there is enough room. But honestly, I don't think you need to move him at all. It's normal for older hens or pullets to beat up on cockerels. If he is not being bloodied and can get enough food and water, I would just leave him. His hormones will kick in eventually, and sooner or later challenge those hens or pullets so they will mate with him. If he doesn't do that, he is probably not worth breeding anyway.

As far as breed goes, he looks like a hatchery quality Light Sussex to me, but he could be a mix. If he has any red or mahogany in his plumage, he is probably impure for silver, meaning he has some gold in his genetics, which means his offspring could be variable in color. If you are looking to breed showbirds, he is not a good choice, but he will probably breed good layers.

 

[Darren Leonard]

You can absolutely keep him in your second coop as long as it has a shelter for him to get out of the wind and rain/snow. And you can keep the other hens with him if there is enough room. But honestly, I don't think you need to move him at all. It's normal for older hens or pullets to beat up on cockerels. If he is not being bloodied and can get enough food and water, I would just leave him. His hormones will kick in eventually, and sooner or later challenge those hens or pullets so they will mate with him. If he doesn't do that, he is probably not worth breeding anyway.

As far as breed goes, he looks like a hatchery quality Light Sussex to me, but he could be a mix. If he has any red or mahogany in his plumage, he is probably impure for silver, meaning he has some gold in his genetics, which means his offspring could be variable in color. If you are looking to breed showbirds, he is not a good choice, but he will probably breed good layers.

Do I need to feed him grower feed? And

 

[JedJackson]

Do I need to feed him grower feed? And

That depends on the age of your birds. Your rooster is actually a cockerel, which means he is under 1 year old. He is definitely still growing. If your hens are of a similar age, then all of them would benefit from high protein grower feed, 18-20% protein content.

You can keep on using the grower feed indefinitely, but you will need to give the pullets a separate little feeder with crushed oyster shell when they start to lay. This is so the pullets get enough calcium to make egg shells and lay well.

Or you can switch to layer feed for everyone when the girls start laying. Layer feed has calcium already added, unlike grower feed. Layer feed needs to be 16% protein or above. Read the labels of the feed you choose to determine protein content.

Both layer and grower feed gives the birds all of the vitamins and minerals they will need. If you give them table scraps or scratch feed, make it only a tiny proportion of their diet. Just occasional treats. Otherwise the balance of nutrients can get messed up, and the hens may lay less.

 

[Darren Leonard]

My hens aren't laying ATM but they are the right age. I think it's because of my dog but my dog doesn't go near them since like last week. My hens are all on layer feed with crushed outer shell free choice. But I will buy a bag of grower feed tomorrow for the rooster. Thanks for your help you have been really helpful

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Hatchery quality Light Sussex.

 

[Darren Leonard]

Hatchery quality Light Sussex.

It couldn't really because there are no hatcheries here in Ireland! But I know where your coming from