show quality speckled sussex ??

[rodriguezpoultry]

Very interesting reading! Thank you for posting it.

I am having to decide between cockerels for my future flock and could really use some guidance if you all are so willing. I have some great cockerels, all that I could happily put into the breeding flock, but if I posted some pics of my different cockerels that I have to choose from, would any of you be willing to weigh in on them as to which birds would be most appropriate to keep? I have one I keep leaning towards but I believe his stance is more of a bantam Rhode Island Red than a Sussex, still like him!

Thanks for any help on this!

 

[math ace]

Very interesting reading! Thank you for posting it.

if I posted some pics of my different cockerels that I have to choose from, would any of you be willing to weigh in on them as to which birds would be most appropriate to keep?

Absolutely!

Bring on those photos...

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Thank you! The first bird will be a cull. Opened up his wings and found weak wings so bad they bordered on split. I like his comb better than any other bird...of course! Not going to risk the integrity of the wings for a pretty comb.

The cull:

2nd favorite thus far is the one below the perch. He has a bad attitude and we had a coming to Jesus today.he may be culled before he gets to breed at all if that attitude doesn't change. The bird on the perch is staying, I don't feel he has developed enough to give a good idea as to how he'll finish. He has much better length, wide tail, great comb and holds his width throughout but he has a low tail at this point:

My personal favorite so far. He has the best temperament and best length of leg. His wings are held the best and he has a dark under color on all of his feathers. The problem I see is his primary wing feathers being white as well as a back that might be too flat.

These boys are now in conditioning cages to be sure no ridiculous attacking goes on before I use their genetics.

Thanks for any insight or any criticisms on these! I really appreciate it!

Eta: all of the birds have a similar back coloring and back structure to this male. This is a fault ice found in all of them in that the males continuously lack white in the saddle feathers.

 

[Arielle]

If you really like that one with the bad temeprament he might be worth breeding anyway and select from his sons then cull him. THis is what I have learned about temperament-- I have had two males that attack-- but ALL the sons have been gentlemen. ( I have 3 roosters from one bad boy, and 5 from the other)

One bad boy rooster has been culled, and when I have a replacement for the other--well he is likely to become Stu. Please understand I am not very tolerant of bad boys-- I have stallions and rams--safety is very important.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Oh! The one I really like is the bottom bird, he has the best temperament but I think his back may be too flat. The little turd (2nd favorite) is also very flighty which is a huge deal for me. That is as much genetic as it is environmental. I don't like flighty birds. I'm hoping he will calm as he's only been in a pen of cockerels and is by far the smallest.

 

[Arielle]

Making a decision is much harder with only a few to pick from IMO. Hard to find MR perfect. I am appreciating flighty more as I lose birds to coyote. Trade offs! Looking forward to more opionions on this thread and reading the discussions.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

To me, a Sussex should be a calm and friendly breed. Not one I should have to grab from the rafters every time I walk by the pens. I may have gotten spoiled from my Langshans but where's the fun in having sweet, docile hens with males that are off the wall bonkers.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

To me, a Sussex should be a calm and friendly breed. Not one I should have to grab from the rafters every time I walk by the pens. I may have gotten spoiled from my Langshans but where's the fun in having sweet, docile hens with males that are off the wall bonkers.

I agree ! It seems out of the eggs I have hatched ( shipped eggs ) The hens are calm & sweet. The roos are just schizo freaks........................ but they taste good !!

 

[Pozees]

To me, a Sussex should be a calm and friendly breed. Not one I should have to grab from the rafters every time I walk by the pens. I may have gotten spoiled from my Langshans but where's the fun in having sweet, docile hens with males that are off the wall bonkers.

If I am reading correctly, you have a male you love to look at whose temperament you don't care for, and a male whose temperament you love whose type leaves you wanting. If you are able, and have the right pullets/hens, you could try pairing your typiest hen(s) with the male whose temperament you like, and the calmest hens with the male whose appearance you prefer. See what you get. You may be able to pair up offspring from these matings, or you may have to go back to the males once more with their daughters to stamp in the characteristics you want, then pair offspring from those line breedings. The idea is to try and capture the best each male has to offer to create a new line with both.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

There is one issue with the typiest male. He's also the smallest of the cockerels. I'm not sure if it's genetic or if it's due to being the lowest in the cockerel pecking order? It could be a little of both. I'm taking the 2 cockerels to a sanctioned show to do the selection and see if my reasoning matches up with the judges. Why is there no photoshop option on chickens...ugh.