show quality speckled sussex ??

[math ace]

Quote:
The shanks and feet should be a pinkish white according to the APA standard.
The wording in the ABA standard allows for a redish/ brown bleed through on the white.

So, the answer is NO, the leg color is not totally correct in the print.

 

[math ace]

Quote:
You don't want them to have very many speckles when they are young BECAUSE they will get more speckles after each year's molt.
To me this is part of the attraction to this breed, every year they will get more speckles and be more beautiful.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Alright Walt, that did not help a lot....
Could you find us the closest possible example of the proper "mahogany bay" hue.

It doesn't really matter what you find it on - - - mammal, poultry, or color chart.
We realize it is impossible to show the EXACT color because every computer monitor is different.... but get us closer than we are now.

Color is very hard to replicate, but the closest to the dark mahogany that I have seen in print is the Sussex illustration on page 115 of the APA SOP. (2001 or 2010 edition) The Sewell color is too light.Don't look at it outside, but look at it inside with artificial lighting (light bulbs).

Walt

 

[Howhardcanitbe]

Greetings from Central Virginia. I've been lurking in this thread for the past week as I try to decide what to do with my 16 week old hatchery SS. It's been a very informative discussion. Thank you all so much. If I had known all of this a year ago, I might have just gone with Cornish Cross and Leg Horns. I can't speak to their egg laying proclivities yet, but the growth rates and feed conversion ratios are abysmal on the SS. (Course that leaves so much room for improvement, doesn't it?)

I've spent the last two mornings, tagging and weighing my 89 SS. I'm very discouraged at this point. My biggest cockerels weigh in at 5lbs, with most 4lbs and under. Most of the pullets are in the 2-3lb range. I had it in my mind they would hit the standard weights by now, but it seems from MatchAce's marans cockerel story, I've got to keep feeding the whole lot of them for another 4 - 8 weeks before I can make a decision on who stays and who goes in the freezer. Even then, standard weights for pullets and cockerels are probably a pipe dream. And the numbered bandettes I ordered for my "heavies" are probably going to be falling off in droves. Definitely need a smaller size.

My birds are from Mt. Healthy and are mostly very dark mahogany (especially the pullets), with nearly black beaks, white primaries, uneven combs, and a lot of bleed through on the shanks. About half my roo-lets have crooked toes. I have another batch of 7 SS from McMurrary that are 7 weeks old and looking very puny, but they are bunking with Dorkings whose general body type seems to dwarf the SS. Keeping my fingers crossed, that another 15 coming from Sandhill in the next week or two will be closer to what I was expecting size wise.

I will try to post pics of my birds tomorrow (Too hot right now to ask them to pose.) Maybe some top down and side shots so we can evaluate those backs and body types.


Pleasure to meet all of you.
Robin

 

[lauralou]

Hi Robin. We're neighbors!

You say that feed conversion ratios are abysmal, and with so many mouths to feed, it must be a real kick in the pocketbook. Maybe we can help you pick out some early culls...
Depending on what your long range goals are, of course.

I'm excited to see pictures. So many different birds! (Of course the heat is simply unreasonable today.)

 

[Toi-toi]

Quote:
You don't want them to have very many speckles when they are young BECAUSE they will get more speckles after each year's molt.
To me this is part of the attraction to this breed, every year they will get more speckles and be more beautiful.

Oh really??? I can't wait to see!! They are so pretty with speckles!!
I had one hen with a lot of speckled and she was so pretty but I lost her by dog attack

 

[neftaball]

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I'll be interested to know how the ones from Sandhill turn out, they say in their catalog that they grow to a good size.

 

[fowlman01]

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I'll be interested to know how the ones from Sandhill turn out, they say in their catalog that they grow to a good size.

Just noticed that you are in Sonoma County. There is going to be a heritage poultry show at the Sonoma Co fairgrounds 9/12-9/15. The best of show prize is $500 and Res is $250 with lots of other prizes. It will be put on by the Baker Creek heirloom seed company

Walt

 

[Stevenson]

I lost one of my SS roosters yesterday. It was right at 11 weeks old and the only thing I can think is that the heat was too much for it. It was over 100 degrees yesterday with extremely high humidity. It did rain and cool things down today....hoping I don't lose any more. I still have 2 roos.

 

[neftaball]

Quote:
I'll be interested to know how the ones from Sandhill turn out, they say in their catalog that they grow to a good size.

Just noticed that you are in Sonoma County. There is going to be a heritage poultry show at the Sonoma Co fairgrounds 9/12-9/15. The best of show prize is $500 and Res is $250 with lots of other prizes. It will be put on by the Baker Creek heirloom seed company

Walt

I'd be interested, could you PM me the details about entries.