show quality speckled sussex ??

[Folly's place]

I also got Meyers SS this year, and weighed them today at 25 weeks of age. The largest cockrel is 7.5 lbs., and the pullets weigh 6 lbs. They aren't SQ, but look good and are very nice birds. Mary

 

[cowchick11]

Anyone in SS land out there taking photos or weighing their birds? Gave up on finding a new SS roo this year but have been e-mailing back and forth with Tony about ordering chicks a little bit earlier this coming year. Maybe special delivery to me at a show he usually sells at in March, It is one of the first shows I will be attending and showing at for 2013! One more show left for me this fall. It is sneaking right up in about 3 weeks. I have to get my entries in by this weekend! Anyone else already planning on attending or showing at any shows next year???

 

[math ace]

I will be attending the Lake City, FL show in January. Perhaps a show in Ga in Feb or March. I went to the Newnan, Ga. show this past Feb . I found out there is a show in South Carolina that is closer to me than the one in Ga. I would like to check that one out this year.

Pictures you say.... All my older bird are molting right now. They are looking pretty rough!
We are in the 30's this morning, so I won't be weighing anyone for a little bit BURRRR, my THIN Florida blood is FREEZING!

Man, I wish I lived as close as you do to Tony. SHIPPING from Washington state to Florida just freaks me out. I just can't do it to the babies...

 

[math ace]

I also got Meyers SS this year, and weighed them today at 25 weeks of age. The largest cockrel is 7.5 lbs., and the pullets weigh 6 lbs. They aren't SQ, but look good and are very nice birds. Mary

Oh dang.... I need to get out there in the freezing weather in weigh my youngest SS. He will be 27 weeks old this weekend. I've got two pullets out there with him. They don't look anywhere near the 6 lbs of your girls. WOW... your weights are looking good!
Mary, I would LOVE to have some SQ stock, but I would be equally thrilled to see some BIG SS.

It drives me crazy looking at all the SS I have gotten from various sources and knowing how underweight they are. When folks go looking for heritiage birds they are looking for the big birds that they are suppose to be. I have a local person who likes to raise his own eating chickens. He wants to make sure he is eating all natural, steroid and antibiotic free meat. I hatch chicks for him. However, I NEVER hatch the SS for him because he would be sorely disappointed with their size. Instead I hatch marans and delawares for him. He is NOT interested in show quality. He is interested in what the birds where originally intended for - Eggs and Meat.

Hence the rub with most of the SS that I see... SIZE... These were the number one eating bird in England at one time. They were known for that full chest of scrumptious meat. Mary, it does my heart good to see you getting some good weights on those birds at the tender age of 25 weeks.

 

[Arielle]

Gee, I need to weigh my 2 girls. They are WIDE. THey are round compared to my other hatchery stock. Can't wait to see their eggs; my other stock produces tiny eggs. Hoping for some larger eggs from my Meyers girls.

 

[Folly's place]

mathace, thanks for the good words. I fell for the SS because of their great temperment and good looks, but my first birds weren't anywhere near big enough. This years's batch from Meyers seem to have hit the mark in growth, although they are lacking in the finer points for show. Love them! I want true dual purpose birds, good size for meat, and decent layers, and reasonably rapid growth. Is this way too much to hope for? Would SQ lines be pretty only? Mary

 

[Arielle]

Mary-- you ask good questions!!

I picked up a trio of good looking birds this summer and I was shocked by the size of the egg. THe smallest egg producer I have. I'm really hoping the Meyers hens will have a decent sized egg.

Can anyone share what size eggs they get from their lines?

 

[math ace]

I want true dual purpose birds, good size for meat, and decent layers, and reasonably rapid growth. Is this way too much to hope for? Would SQ lines be pretty only? Mary

Too much to hope for - I hope not! TRUE show quality lines MUST be close to the standard for weight. IF the birds are more than 20% under the weight they are suppose to be disqualified. However, it is very frustrating trying to short through all the foo-foo to find the Real Deal. That is why it is so important that we share infomation on the thread.

I can't fault the quantity of eggs that I receive from the breed. They are decent layers of med sized eggs. Size is where I start scratching my head. I understand how the color could of gone astray, but the severe undersizeness that I have seen just leaves me so disappointed.....

 

[math ace]

Mary-- you ask good questions!!

I picked up a trio of good looking birds this summer and I was shocked by the size of the egg. THe smallest egg producer I have. I'm really hoping the Meyers hens will have a decent sized egg.

Can anyone share what size eggs they get from their lines?

Medium size is what they are suppose to lay! You wouldn't think a bird that big would lay a medium egg, but it is true.....

 

[Folly's place]

Thanks for the replies! I'll be out of town for a few days, so back next week. Not sure what sized eggs the new girls are laying yet. My undersized Murray McMurray hens did lay large eggs; why can't that be part of the selection process? Mary