Sussex Breeders and Owners Discussion Thread

[Sussex19]

Would any one here bother keeping and breeding any of these pullets? I really don't like them, but would then have to try and find more to replace them
For comparison the last picture is one I bred.
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2, 3 and 4 all look like they could fill out a bit more, and have some potential.
I'm not a fan of 1, her body shape looks off, and the colour of 5 isn't terribly inspiring.
I'm guessing they are around 15 weeks old? I always find it a bit hard to tell at that age, so wait till around 22 weeks to make final decisions.
Having said all that, I will say I am by no means an expert, and am only just learning myself.
I really like your pullet, btw. If I had to be really picky, she could have little more black on the hackles, which is something I am struggling with slightly.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Hatched mid November, so 17 weeks?
I think my biggest issues are they seem to have really long legs and very pointy faces. I don't like any of the cockerels, so I am not even considering keeping any!
One of the Cockerels compared to one of mine.

His leg colour is a shame, but otherwise I like him

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

I really like your pullet, btw. If I had to be really picky, she could have little more black on the hackles, which is something I am struggling with slightly.

I like her too and agree about the hackle colour. I originally didn't plan to keep her cause I didn't know if she was pure (Two of the other eggs that hatch were supposed to be pure, but were not), I am not seeing anything that says she's a cross so I'll keep her.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Spices, fully moulted.

The three chicks I will be growing out and likely keeping.

 

[Sussex19]

Hatched mid November, so 17 weeks?
I think my biggest issues are they seem to have really long legs and very pointy faces. I don't like any of the cockerels, so I am not even considering keeping any!
One of the Cockerels compared to one of mine.
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His leg colour is a shame, but otherwise I like him

Yeah, totally see what you mean, and agree with you.
Where ever did he get that leg colour from!? (I actually really like it, although of course not a good thing in a sussex!)

 

[Sussex19]

@Somewhere_In_The_Clouds which of these two to you prefer?
1


2

 

[Yard Farmer]

How hightly would y'all recommend the Sussex breed?

 

[Sussex19]

How hightly would y'all recommend the Sussex breed?

Very highly!
But then, I guess I am a bit biased.
But they are very laid back, but at the same time quite out going, and good forages.
I have not had a single health problem, apart from a few worms ever now and then.
Excellent layers, except when broody, which they do do a fair bit, making very good mothers.
Also, the cockerels are meaty enough to make a good roaster, if that is wanted.
They have definitely been my favorite breed, although now I have Marans they are both having to share first place, in that regard,

 

[Yard Farmer]

Very highly!
But then, I guess I am a bit biased.
But they are very laid back, but at the same time quite out going, and good forages.
I have not had a single health problem, apart from a few worms ever now and then.
Excellent layers, except when broody, which they do do a fair bit, making very good mothers.
Also, the cockerels are meaty enough to make a good roaster, if that is wanted.
They have definitely been my favorite breed, although now I have Marans they are both having to share first place, in that regard,

Thank you for your input!
I think I need to look into the breed more. It sounds like they have a lot of the things I look for in a chicken.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Yeah, totally see what you mean, and agree with you.
Where ever did he get that leg colour from!? (I actually really like it, although of course not a good thing in a sussex!)

Orginally I can't say where it came from! It's possible it was Thor to begin with, but I have no idea. Spices has the dark legs (Thor might be her father otherwise it was the other buff rooster I had, they both came from the same place.) And I learnt from some of the members here that Thor is Id/id+ , split for dark shanks!

@Somewhere_In_The_Clouds which of these two to you prefer?
1
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2
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Markings wise I like no. 2, I am not super confident judging confirmation by picture.