Speckled sussex pullet/cockerel

[Wishing4Wings]

Just to let you know, the green iridescence in dark feathers can appear in both males and females, so is not a good indicator when determining sex.

I'm not experienced with this breed, so can't help much, but do think you are right to be suspicious based on the difference in comb compared to others. Always best to wait a bit to be sure.

 

[Lawrosa]

The leg part with no feathers??? No difference that I could see. All similar thickness in regards to age. Just the greenish feathers are disturbing me, and the redder slightly bigger comb. Plus nubs on the legs but they all have some kind of nub some not as pronounced.

I notice this one and another at times look like they are choking. Like they are crowing with no sound. Dont know if this is normal chicken behavior. I think they may all do it at times when they stretch their legs and preen themselves. Feathers in throat?

Anyone?

 

[bairo]

the above poster that talked about the green in feathers is right (maybe even more so in the SS breed) If they all still have about the same thickness in legs, then I would def wait before you think about getting rid of any.

As far as the "Gaping" goes...thats another story. You probably need to worm the whole flock as it sounds like it could be gape worm. Go to my coop page and scroll down to the section on how to get and stay parasite free. Hit them with Ivermectin pour on first and then valbazen in 10 days. The valbazen is not cheap but will last forever. Most co-ops carry it, but if not you can find it on amazon. You can find a small bottle of ivermectin pour-on at TSC for about 12.00 and that will last you a while as well.

 

[Lawrosa]

In regards to gapeworm, No they dont do this.




And its not like this.



Those two above are gapeworm.


Its exactly like these below. Its either moving food or some yawn.


And the chicken here on the far right at the 22 sec mark.

 

[Schwartzfarmnc]

Thanks for those pictures, much better!

I still see nothing that confirms a roo yet, I don't have a roo SS but I'll attach another photo of one of ours with a crazy tail and she has the green iridescent feathers, so don't freak out because of that. After looking at the new pics, unless he/she starts crowing I'll lean back to pullet for now, but he/she is borderline and believe me, this breed is tough until about 13-14 weeks, at least both of mine were, big red combs and wattles came early on and scared me for several weeks.

 

[JulB]

Here is a link to our Speckled Sussex at 11 weeks old. http://meganchickens.blogspot.com/2011/07/eleven-weeks-old.html

 

[Lawrosa]

So that 1st pic is a rooster at 11 weeks? No mine dont have a comb and waddles that big. Although everything else looks like a hen in your first pic tail, colors, etc..... So if it was not for the large comb and waddles you would really never know?

 

[JulB]

Yes, the first pic is a roo. He's 14 months now and just got rehomed. We miss him, but our neighbors do not.

His tail grew in at a slower rate than the hen and he was crowing at 7 weeks old.

 

[Yardfarm Family]

From what I have read SS are really tough to sex. I'd wait it out, I have an 8 wk old SS and I am wondering the same thing. Don't worry about the chocking movement, probably just clearing her crop. I would love if you post when you know for sure because I have been searching all over BYC and haven't found any clear answers with SS. Also, I have 10 8wk old "pullets" of various breeds and all have little nubs on their legs so unless it becomes a spur don't use that as an indicator of her gender, atleast at her age.

 

[Lawrosa]

Yard farm, good to know. I too was looking for sussex links to sexing and found nill. I will take pics and keep all posted on what develops.