show quality speckled sussex ??

[snowbird]

I have a 4-5 month old Speckled Sussex pullet, I REALLY want to show her but I have been keeping an eye on her tail, it seems to sometimes go off to the side like she has wry tail. BUT, I was just playing with her and she held her tail off to the left, off to the right, and right in the middle at some point or another. Is it normal for a Sussex to hold her tail off to the side sometimes? Is she trying to balance herself?

I would just give her a little time and see if she figures everything out. Post a picture and lets take a look.

 

[math ace]

Memphis, Welcome to the Speckled Sussex thread. Lisa will come along and give you some weight on the young fowl. She kept a record of the different weights on some of her SS. Post pictures and jump in with Questions or answers. Very friendly thread.

I have yet to have a SS male mature into the weight range of the SOP for the breed.
I use my delaware and marans chicks as guides as to what the SS should be ...

I have a BCM hen that was around 3 lbs. 4 ounces at 14 weeks of age. She is a year old now. I just weighed her a couple of weeks ago. She was 6 lbs 11 oz.
I have a BCM rooster that was 4 lbs 5 oz at 14 weeks of age. He is a year old now and weighs in at 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Based on this data, I would suggest aiming for 3 1/2 to 4 lbs at 14 weeks for the pullets

 

[cowchick11]

It took me a bit to find the correct sheet but here are my weight ranges for pullets and cockrels at 13 weeks from chicks this spring.
Pullets: 2 pounds 9 oz. up to 3 pounds 5 oz.
Cockrels: (had one really small one, he is still really small) 2 pounds 4 oz. up to 3 pounds 9 oz.
They are now 22 weeks of age and I'm not sure which ones, as I have 2 breeds and 3 varieties all in one pen, but at least 3 pullets are laying! All 4 of my SS pullets have red combs and they are a week older than all the others. I will weigh them again at 25 weeks, at least the pullets and the one cockrel that I'm keeping.
I'm weighing them at random times when I think I need to and I have time. At least I'm getting a sort of base line. hope this helps.

 

[memphis]

Great!! Thank you both for the info on the weights! I'll try to weight them this week.

 

[math ace]

REMINDER.... As far as weights go, the Standard of Perfection (SOP) calls for

Speckled Sussex Weights:

Hen 7 lbs,
Pullet 6 lbs,

Cock 9 lbs,
Cockerel 7 1/2 lbs.

 

[Arielle]

I took a look at the group I put together a few days ago, combining a rooster and hen I bought this summer with 3 SS from Mcmurray. Interesting comparison.

THe feather coloring is noticably different once I really started looking. THe new hen looks nice with even white all over-- looks like she was snowed on. THe Mcmurray hens, the same age, are less wide and a different red and uneven white and fewer.

Now that I can see the differences I need to come up with a plan. (I also have 7 pullets from Meyers). How do I tackle this?

 

[math ace]

Now that I can see the differences I need to come up with a plan. (I also have 7 pullets from Meyers). How do I tackle this?

Good Day Arielle,

What exactly do you want to come up with a plan to do? Are you trying to decide keepers and leavers? Are you trying to decide how to pair them? How about some pictures?

 

[snowbird]

Good Day Arielle,

What exactly do you want to come up with a plan to do? Are you trying to decide keepers and leavers? Are you trying to decide how to pair them? How about some pictures?

Hey Lisa, I had not seen you post and thought you were headed to pick up the TOP SECRET SS that I heard through the grapevine you were getting I should have some next week but will have to wait and see.

 

[math ace]

Hey Lisa, I had not seen you post and thought you were headed to pick up the TOP SECRET SS that I heard through the grapevine you were getting I should have some next week but will have to wait and see.

W T H ? ? ?

Are you yanking my chain? ? ?

Do you SERIOUSLY have some SS coming next week ? ? ? ?

I've got dibs on hatching eggs FIRST before anyone else - YOU HEAR ME ? ?

Please, tell me they are LARGE fowl and not the bantams...

I know NOTHING about Top Secret SS or otherwise... Somebody must of forgot to PM me or invite me to that road trip!
All I seem to be doing is hatching and culling!

 

[mrheinz77]

Lisa,
How are your Speckled Sussex looking that you hatched from Walt's eggs? Did you hatch any really light chicks from his eggs? He told my these were from Gary Overton's old line and would make the best hens. I hatched some of each. Mine are now about 12 weeks old. (I need to look and see exactly how old they are. ). I also have 1 that hatched from Alexandra Douglas' eggs. Her flock was originally from Gary Overton.