SPECKLED SUSSEX SPECKLES?

[Annie73]

A quick question. The rooster and darkest hen, are from a top breeder. The very speckled ones, are from another breeder.

The question is....are speckles not supposed to develop more speckles in time? As they age? All of these have the 2024 hatching ring on.

I do not want to cross breed this very precious chicks, and would love some advice.

Annie

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Interesting…they do get more speckles as they age. But they have them as soon as they feather out. There are other colors of Sussex though that are not speckled. Is it possible that’s what you got?

 

[Annie73]

Interesting…they do get more speckles as they age. But they have them as soon as they feather out. There are other colors of Sussex though that are not speckled. Is it possible that’s what you got?

I don't think so. This breeder is respected. I saw his chickens at the National Show 2025, and phoned him the very same day. I knew what I wanted, and he agreed to give me a pair out of his breeding stock.

Tge 2 other hens worries me. Are they for real? I guess one will only know after the first chicks arrive. To check for cross breeding, maybe like the Venda? It is a breed that is much leaner, but has yellow legs.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would suggest posting here to get more targeted advice:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/speckled-sussex-breeding-to-the-sop.1568756/

I’ve only owned two specks and they were of unknown origin so I’m not super helpful

 

[SueT]

I have an 9 yr old SS hen and she had less speckles when in the first year, and got more and more with each molt. I remember asking about it and was told this is what to expect.