Speckled Sussex Thread

[Holly185]

I have a 10 week speckled Sussex. Her name is Vanelope. She’s always been a bit small.

Oh, she's so pretty! Seeing photos of her as a chick up until now is so cool - it's neat to see how much they change as they grow.

 

[AntiqueB]

SS chicks are both adorable and fun. They have big personalities at a very young age, it seems.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

My SS chicks just came yesterday!

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Here’s one of them:

I only have 2, and I’m hoping I get a pullet

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Hey, just wondering if anyone has ever had any major health issues with their SS? I have one hen and there was a whole saga of her not growing all her feathers in at the same rate as the other chicks (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feathering-in-speckled-sussex.1368639/), and then she had wryneck at 3 months old - recovered - (https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-need-advice-on-care-not-treatment.1379931/)- and she still needs supplements to this day otherwise she looks up and falls off the roost at night. She's our most outgoing and courageous, and generally she just gets into trouble. She also impaled herself on something (no idea what) badly enough to warrant a trip to the emergency vet (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/puncture-wound-inside-mouth-blood-loss.1406745/).

We love her, even though she's definitely special needs, but I was talking to my partner about how I don't think I could get another SS after Chip because of all the issues we've had.. I'm not sure if they are prone to issues or if we just got really unlucky.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Hey, just wondering if anyone has ever had any major health issues with their SS? I have one hen and there was a whole saga of her not growing all her feathers in at the same rate as the other chicks (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feathering-in-speckled-sussex.1368639/), and then she had wryneck at 3 months old - recovered - (https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-need-advice-on-care-not-treatment.1379931/)- and she still needs supplements to this day otherwise she looks up and falls off the roost at night. She's our most outgoing and courageous, and generally she just gets into trouble. She also impaled herself on something (no idea what) badly enough to warrant a trip to the emergency vet (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/puncture-wound-inside-mouth-blood-loss.1406745/).

We love her, even though she's definitely special needs, but I was talking to my partner about how I don't think I could get another SS after Chip because of all the issues we've had.. I'm not sure if they are prone to issues or if we just got really unlucky.

I'm sorry for your issues. I'm glad you have helped Chip rather than just euthanizing.

I haven't had any issues with my SS, Vanelope, but she is only a little over 12 weeks.

I did notice she was much smaller than the other chicks (of different breeds) when she was a chick, but seems to have caught up with the others now.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

I'm sorry for your issues. I'm glad you have helped Chip rather than just euthanizing.

I haven't had any issues with my SS, Vanelope, but she is only a little over 12 weeks.

I did notice she was much smaller than the other chicks (of different breeds) when she was a chick, but seems to have caught up with the others now.

Yeah, there were so many "euthanize her" people - but we are glad we gave her the best shot and she made it.

Saw lil Vanelope! I'm glad she caught up to the others!!

 

[Holly185]

Hey, just wondering if anyone has ever had any major health issues with their SS? I have one hen and there was a whole saga of her not growing all her feathers in at the same rate as the other chicks (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feathering-in-speckled-sussex.1368639/), and then she had wryneck at 3 months old - recovered - (https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-need-advice-on-care-not-treatment.1379931/)- and she still needs supplements to this day otherwise she looks up and falls off the roost at night. She's our most outgoing and courageous, and generally she just gets into trouble. She also impaled herself on something (no idea what) badly enough to warrant a trip to the emergency vet (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/puncture-wound-inside-mouth-blood-loss.1406745/).

We love her, even though she's definitely special needs, but I was talking to my partner about how I don't think I could get another SS after Chip because of all the issues we've had.. I'm not sure if they are prone to issues or if we just got really unlucky.

I haven't had any issues so far with any of my five (knock on wood), but they're only 7 weeks old.
I'm sorry you've had so many issues with your hen. ☹ That must be so frustrating. It seems like she's quite the character though, and sounds like she's got a great home with you!

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

I’ve wanted SS for some time now. Today, I got two. Here they are—Galadriel (Gal) and Leia

 

[AntiqueB]

My little girl is 4 weeks old now! She's an only chick, since her chickmate died. She spends all day outside with my 2 big girls and one 10 week old. She loves to forage, scratching and eating anything she can find, including worms. She refuses to eat chick starter, and will only eat the whole grain grower I have the others on. While independent, she still loves to snuggle, and falls asleep in the funniest positions. She's definitely a personality!