Sussex

[countrygurl]

I wanted to get some chickens that layed light brown eggs. I was interested in the Speckled Sussex but I have heard that they are not good winter layers is this true?

 

[happyhensny]

I just bought 15 chicks, now 2 1/2 weeks old because of their cold hardiness. Check out this site. Great info on a few breeds.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html#s

 

[patandchickens]

I am sure it depends somewhat on the line. But, that said, mine are not great winter layers (they pretty much stop entirely for about 4-6 weeks, but remember we get fairly short days up here in December and thus far I have not been adding light) but not TERRIBLE. I will probably try lighting them next year and see what happens, but, <shrug>

I am skeptical about these "this breed is a good winter layer" "this breed is not" claims btw -- lines of birds, and management practices, and expectations of how well they SHOULD be laying in winter, seem to play an awfully large role

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[briteday]

I raised some POL sussex last Spring for a neighbor. They layed poorly throughout the winter, and our winters are not that bad. Also, the eggs are about medium sized. He was used to the jumbo+ eggs from his BR and EE's. They are the friendliest of breeds, but, IMO not the best egglayers if you have winter. The birds I raised came from Privett.

 

[sydney13]

they are better for meat then for laying but they do lay through the winter

 

[chickerdoodle]

I ordered two Speckled Sussex which arrive the end of April mainly for eye candy and friendliness. Supposedly they lay pretty darn well (~180 eggs per year) but not sure about in the winter. We have fairly mild winters here but it is gray and rainy for a few months so we'll have to wait and see. We are also getting a Barred Rock, a Barnevelder and an Ameraucauna (most likely an EE) as well to round out the group. Hope the combination of these gals will at least give a couple of eggs a week in the winter

 

[CountryMom]

Mine layed very well through the winter, but then our winters down here are mild compared to up north. We did have one of the coldest this year and they still layed. They do not lay a huge egg. They do have fantastic personalities though. My SS roo (in my avatar) is a big old sweetie too. That is always a plus.