The Sussex thread!

[Chica Chick]

Here we go! Due to hatch Jan.1. These will be my first chicks from my SS pullets. Already saw some wobbling today.

It's the big day! Can't wait to see pics of chicks

 

[gevshiba]

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Love the new chicks...too cute!

 

[3riverschick]

I am looking at getting a few brown Sussex. Apparently this is quite a task. Any suggestions?

Last I heard there were none in the USA. Greenfire Farm ( website) was going to import them, not sure if it happened.
Happy New Year,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Hi everyone. I am new to chicks and interested in Speckled Sussex. Don't have any local breeders, or at least none that I've found. Any pics of hatchery birds? Looking at Meyer and Cackle. Have checked hatchery pic threads and not many pics there.

Other suggestions to getting decent chicks?

Hi! And Happy New Year!
Sussex are my current breed. Speckled Sussex are a tri-color breed and thus the most difficult to breed to feather because of all the color balancing involved. However, we are blessed that several master breeders have brought both the bantam and large fowl of this variety to top winning line status. On Large: Gary Overton, OH; Mr. Tony Albrittion, ID, Walt Reichert, KY, etc. In bantam: Gary Overton "Mr. Sussex", OH; Skytop Bantams, PA http://www.reocities.com/skytopbantams/sussex.html Look at the breed type on "Party", Wow! Just lovely type all thru this strain which is basically a meld of Overton and Mongold. ; Rob Mongold, OH; Adam Leoffel, KY, etc.
In Sussex fowl , the physical characteristics are so closely aligned with the breeds; production virtues, that if a bird doesn't look like a Sussex, it literally isn't a Sussex. This breed has rich literary history in English. You can actually read online one of the classic books on the breed by Mr. Sharpe, a legendary breeder/judge who was also actually the originator of the Light Sussex.
https://archive.org/details/cu31924003091398
There is a parent Club for Sussex, The American Sussex Breeders Association (website, with a Breeder's Directory) and a bunch of different Sussex threads which enjoy popularity here in BYC! In Sussex, the best winter layers are March-hatched.

Here is an anthology of info I wrote on getting started in quality fowl.

Where to find show quality and foundation quality Speckled Sussex in the USA:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/429217/show-quality-speckled-sussex/1970#post_13959610
post #1978 of 2043
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Study the breed and find out what it's greatest need will be in 5 years.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...esteading-heritage-poultry/2520#post_14526815
post #2524 of 2524
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Here is a way to get started quality birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882047/the-dorking-breeders-thread/280#post_14479577
post #284 of 291
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Get started birds. It is the wisest way to begin.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882047/the-dorking-breeders-thread/280#post_14479520
post #283 of 291
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Looking to be introduced to breeding show quality birds, was wondering where to get started.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/941219/where-did-you-get-your-starting-pair#post_14459908
post #2 of 11
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Go to your local feed store or Tractor Supply and buy a bottle of Poultry Nutri-Dench or Goat Nutri-Dench.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/941182/new-chicken-parent#post_14454501
post #4 of 9
==================
Does anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive sources of grains? Yup. Plotspike.
I have superb results with their Forage Oats.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...prouts-to-feed-the-chickens/700#post_14441278
post #707 of 762
====================
If I could have only 8 books in my Library they would be :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/940222/books-and-siites-on-poultry-genetics#post_14435187
post #4 of 6
===================================
TIGHT OR LOOSE FEATHERING.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...esteading-heritage-poultry/2340#post_14402190
post #2349 of 2524
This is very important to understand when beeding Sussex fowl.
------------------------
Can't say it often enough. Save the ,money and buy the very best.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...esteading-heritage-poultry/2280#post_14389826
post #2284 of 2524
==========================
How to Deal With Travel Stress in Baby Chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/938139/how-common-is-it-for-chicks-die-when-shipped#post_14370214
post #3 of 5
======================
The Science of Feeding Grit to Poultry
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/891051/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry
Posts 1 and 3.

I found it! The Glory Hole of all things grit for poultry. I was surfing "grit" tonight and decided to try HathiTrust Digital Library. One of my favs because they post lit published after that annoying 1926 public domain cutoff date. Lookie here! This is 84 pages of bibliography and abstracts about grit for poultry *and* it is published by the granite grit industry! I have been reading it and fabulous info here. So much is beginning to make sense. The abstracts are great because I get to see the knowledge/conclusions without having to find the whole article. ( scientific Cliff Notes, hee, hee!) Even when we have to take into account the early dates of some of the research, there is so much here! . It's full view. You can keyword search the text. I used "size grit" and came up with some fascinating hits. Esp. on pages 38, 48, and 49. Enjoy! There is so much to digest here! ( pun intended!).
Grit for poultry: bibliography and abstract.
Author: Branion, Hugh Douglas, 1906-
Published: New York, Granite Grit Institute of America [1960]
84 p. 28 cm.
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89043737196;view=1up;seq=1
--------------------------
Best Regards,
Karen Tewart
Waterford English Light Sussex
in western PA. USA

 

[cglgolf]

Can you use a Red Dorking in its place trying to recreate the goldan Brussbar

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

This breed reallyhas a special place in my heart. I need a roo so I can really say it.

 

[Chica Chick]

So much great information Karen! Thanks for sharing. I'm still sorting through all of the reference, may have a few questions. And Happy New Year to all!

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Wow. So much info. Thanks. I am such a nerd.

 

[Adeth Chicken]

Biscuit and Sunflower

Biscuit at 9 weeks