show quality speckled sussex ??

[math ace]

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Hey Ghostrider,
I am sorry it took me a day or so to get back with you. I didn't want you to think that I was just picking on you... so I needed to get some updated pics of my roo so I could do some bashing of my own stock while we were at it. I started with 7 cockerels and NONE with great. I picked the one that I thought would bring the most to the table when looking at my pullets. I know in MY Flock... SIZE is the first thing I am working with. So, I picked the BIGGEST roo and it was substantially bigger than the rest as my keeper.

I want every one to understand that critiques are given so that you will know what you need to improve. My own roo has the most jacked up comb imaginable. I would trade his comb with Ghostrider's roo's comb in a heart beat!

 

[math ace]

My guy has many faults beside the comb... tail angle, color, etc.

He had the BEST chest and BEST size. He has decent width to his back too.
This is my roo at 34 weeks of age.

This is the same roo even though the topline looks way different

For the most part, my pullets already have tail and color issues.
I have not used this guy and may not use him. . . .

I have a batch of chicks with feet on the ground that are from a THIRD person.
I have a FOURTH person sending me eggs or chicks in the Spring. After that.... I will work with the best that I have acquired.

I may NEVER acheive SQ SS, but this thread will help me make the culling choices that improve each generation of SS that I raise.
Out of about 16 pullets, there is only ONE pullet that I really like and she has a jacked up comb too.

Why are there so many SS with super high tail angles and pinch tails? How did this happen? That should of been an easy cull for folks in the know.

Why are there so many SS with jacked up combs? I have 2 breeders SS and most have comb issues - way too big, twists, thumb prints, etc.
Seriously, a well bred flock should have most of these issues eliminated.

Why is SIZE such an issue. These should be the BIGGEST birds of my 3 chosen breeds, yet they are the smallest in reality.

NONE of mine are close to the appropriate color either.. . . I understand that breeding for the correct color is the real challenege.
However, size, combs, and tail angles should be no brianers for anyone serious about the SOP.

OK, I am done with my rant.

 

[math ace]

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I REALLY wish Don would check up on this thread and help us out. He has the experience with the breeding of the SS.

I, too, am new at what will complement what.

OVERLY white is an issue with most SS. Personally, if I was going to use this dark boy, I would not mate him to the most white (snowflake) one that you have. I would put him with the hen that is closest to being right. I am thinking that the combination might produce some pullets that are too dark, but a lot would be right on target. I think producing hens that are a shade too dark is better than hens that are a shade too white. As they age, this breed is suppose to get more speckled with their yearly molts. I am guessing that having a pullet that is young and dark would allow you to show that pullet as a hen for a longer period of time....

 

[neftaball]

Didn't anybody buy SS from Gary Overton he had some for sale, but by the time I found out about it, it was too late. He does sell show quality, but only grown out, he doesn't sell eggs or chicks. I may try to get a pair or trio from him next year.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Just for fun, here is my one SS boy again. (I posted him awhile back, too. I never actually pulled that white sickle feather.) He's 30 weeks old now. I think he is growing out well - he's certainly thickened up a bit - but his feet are getting really pink. We are not breeding him anyway. We just like his personality, but what is up with the pink feet? Does anyone else see that in theirs?

 

[math ace]

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I spoke to Gary this Spring and he said he did not have any and was working on rebuilding his flock.

 

[math ace]

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Pink feet can just mean HORMONES.... I wouldn't worry about it!

Could I see some more pics of this boy - PLEASE...

Let me see a chest photo, a top photo, and open up the wing and let me see what the boy is hiding - -PLEASE .... PRETTY PLEASE

ChestnutRidge, where did this boy come from?

 

[math ace]

Chestnutridge,

I went back through your old posts and grabbed your photos....

First one back in July 2011 was with the 11 week old chicks from Gabbard farms


I had two cockerels, but sold the other. (Pretty sure these are the same guy.)

Then in September 2011, you updated us with these photos and commentary...
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So, at 22 weeks I was concerned at him being on the small size and that crazy sickle feather....

At the end of September....
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And then the most recent shot of this cockerel...

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[math ace]

If you have NEVER done a photo diary on your birds.... You really ought to!

When you start taking photos and keeping track of your birds over time, you will notice some amazing things.

Chestnutridge, I hope you like me grouping all those photos together in one post for you

That boy still has a crazy long sickle feather, but it doesn't look as bad since some of the feathers underneath it have filled in.
Maybe he will lose that feather will he goes through a heavy adult molt around 1 - 1 1/2 years of age.

How about a rear shot on him too ? ? I would like to see how he has filled in compared to what he was like at 22 weeks.

 

[mrheinz77]

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I spoke to Gary this Spring and he said he did not have any and was working on rebuilding his flock.

Gary had an ad in the Oct Poultry Press stating he had pairs that he was taking to Crossroads if they were pre sold.