show quality speckled sussex ??

[GreenRiverHen]

Thank you SO much for your critique!!
I get so used to looking at these birds that I can't see them for what they are I'm sure and I have a long way to go to recognize faults and even assets. I have ordered the SOP.
I know it is very hard to tell from photos everything about a bird but telling me what you see helps so much.
I have four 6 1/2 month old cockerels and one mature rooster which is the one you critiqued. The second picture is one of the young ones and so is the picture further down on the ramp where you can see his back. I have read through this whole thread and I've learned a lot.
I started trying to find this breed about 4 or 5 years ago and they were quite hard to find. Once I had them I realized that they were not what they were supposed to be. This will be my first year selectively breeding them. I think I have many females with some good qualities to pass along. Some are older and have moulted into quite a bit of white-- and their colour lightened overall as well. The males I'm not so sure about. I know my older boy has his issues but I'm hoping one of my young boys can help.
I'll attach some pics of them.....

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Thank you SO much for your critique!!
I get so used to looking at these birds that I can't see them for what they are I'm sure and I have a long way to go to recognize faults and even assets. I have ordered the SOP.
I know it is very hard to tell from photos everything about a bird but telling me what you see helps so much.
I have four 6 1/2 month old cockerels and one mature rooster which is the one you critiqued. The second picture is one of the young ones and so is the picture further down on the ramp where you can see his back. I have read through this whole thread and I've learned a lot.
I started trying to find this breed about 4 or 5 years ago and they were quite hard to find. Once I had them I realized that they were not what they were supposed to be. This will be my first year selectively breeding them. I think I have many females with some good qualities to pass along. Some are older and have moulted into quite a bit of white-- and their colour lightened overall as well. The males I'm not so sure about. I know my older boy has his issues but I'm hoping one of my young boys can help.
I'll attach some pics of them.....

Very cool. Remember, this is a very rare variety of a rare breed. One does not (yet) measure success via perfection but via steps forward. When you have a moment, post pics of all of your males. Specifically post picks that show clear broadside views. The bent over eating pics are good for pretty, but that's about it.

They need to be sideways, in a natural stance, without being alarmed.

 

[GreenRiverHen]

These guys are 6 months in these photos

 

[GreenRiverHen]

I would be more than happy to take more pics .....

 

[PDPercherons]

Even the critiques are helping me to see what it should be. Appreciated!

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you Karen--her shape is really nice beside that drawing

Do you think the black marks on her wings are much of a problem? Would you recommend using her for breeding?
Would you pair her with my older roo?
Thanks so much for your help--I really appreciate it!

Yup! Definitely breed this lovely girl! Choose the highest quality grandfather, cousin , or 1st cousin you can find.
Carefully match the color balancing. Match her lovely bred type as best you can n her mate.
A cushion is a "pad" of feather at the end of the back, base of the tail. It disrupt the topline silhouette on Sussex.
Some breed require them. A no-no in Sussex. Here's a pic: This is a British Buff Orpington from a breeder in the UK.
In this breed a cushion is a good thing. See the "puff" of feathers on the back in front of the tail? That' a cushion.
http://www.keiths-orps.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Buff-Orpington-Pullet-1.jpg

 

[Yellow House Farm]

It would help if you labeled the cockerels so that we know which is which, i.e. if there are repeat photos.

 

[GreenRiverHen]

#1

#2

#3

#1

#1

#1

These guys are 6 months in these photos

They are nearly a month older now. Please let me know if you would like to see more pictures of any of my birds-females included. Different angles? I do have another cockeral but I don't seem to have his picture. I have read through your website. There is really great information there-thank you! I am so happy to have your input.

 

[GreenRiverHen]

Here are a few pictures of #4

He is six months in these pictures.

 

[GreenRiverHen]

Here is another one of my older rooster--I've saved him because I'm a bit worried he's the best I have to work with. He's missing a lot of tail feathers.

The next two are a rooster I parted with because of his squirrel tail and colour but I did hatch from him. #4 is his son with similar colour but lower tail and slightly longer back I think.

Another pic of #3 cockerel