The Sussex thread!

[KF0002]

Is your stock from exhibition lines or do they originally derive from hatchery stock? Your friend? I know Walt Reichert is in KY, but the cockerel I got from him was very sweet. 
I have never had a mean SS cockerel or cockbird, hatchery or exhibition lines. Just curious if you or your friend selectively breeds or are they flock bred? I also think aggression can come from hen side as well. More likely an environmentally created aggression based on protecting hens or being denied breeding etc. 

My friend flock breeds, he uses them solely as layers.. not exhibition. Some of my stock came from him, some came from another lady I know (also not exhibition). Not sure where they got their stock, but I would guess a hatchery.

I got them mainly to use as layers as well but I intend on selectively breeding them to standard. I culled my aggressive cock once he started attacking. I am using his best son for breeding this year (best looks, best temperament), the other is just a spare.

I would love to show them someday but I have a way to go.

 

[KF0002]

I will add that my cock bird was only aggressive when he was with hens, not when he was by himself. I got rid of him because he got so bad that I couldnt even enter the pen to clean the water out or collect eggs. He was only aggressive to me, not my husband.

 

[ChickenGrass]

Hi all.
I have a coronation Sussex bantam trio
They are young and I only got them in August,
But I am looking forward to breeding them next year.
Here are a few pictures I took when I got them

They do look dark in the photos and their neck feathers are not finished
But that is because the lighting makes it look darker and they are only afew months old
In the pictures.
Thank you
Fionn.

 

[vachick15]

Very pretty!

 

[summerb123]

x2!!!!!!!

 

[Faraday40]

I will add that my cock bird was only aggressive when he was with hens, not when he was by himself. I got rid of him because he got so bad that I couldnt even enter the pen to clean the water out or collect eggs. He was only aggressive to me, not my husband.

It's hard to judge whether a cock will be sweet or aggressive until they reach about a year old. I had a cock that showed no signs of aggression & then became unpredictable around 10-12 months old. He got a god-complex b/c he was the only roo, but then sometimes just ignored people. He never all out attacked, but my kids were afraid - which only added to his T-level. I had our handyman take him to freezer camp because I didn't want to wait for an attack.

Our current roo & 2 cocks have never been people aggressive. Because the roo is 2 yrs old & in charge, I am relying on him to make sure his sons stay in line. When the roo (our flock leader) was only 7 wks old, I saw him stand tall & watch every move I made when handling his hatch-mates. It made me nervous that he matured so quickly & began fertilizing the hens' eggs at only 3.5 months old. (There was no other roo, so it had to be him.) I thought for sure this male was going to be trouble & have too much testosterone. It turned out that the chicks worked out their pecking order in the brooder, so we never had fighting when the brothers reached the 1 year old mark. Both roos allow us to simply bend down & pick them up. We rehomed the brother this summer & are hoping a father & son team will work out just as nice. (and I kept a 3rd.... just in case)

 

[KF0002]

It's hard to judge whether a cock will be sweet or aggressive until they reach about a year old.  I had a cock that showed no signs of aggression & then became unpredictable around 10-12 months old.  He got a god-complex b/c he was the only roo, but then sometimes just ignored people.  He never all out attacked, but my kids were afraid - which only added to his T-level.  I had our handyman take him to freezer camp because I didn't want to wait for an attack.  

Our current roo & 2 cocks have never been people aggressive.  Because the roo is 2 yrs old & in charge, I am relying on him to make sure his sons stay in line.  When the roo (our flock leader) was only 7 wks old, I saw him stand tall & watch every move I made when handling his hatch-mates.  It made me nervous that he matured so quickly & began fertilizing the hens' eggs at only 3.5 months old. (There was no other roo, so it had to be him.)  I thought for sure this male was going to be trouble & have too much testosterone.  It turned out that the chicks worked out their pecking order in the brooder, so we never had fighting when the brothers reached the 1 year old mark.  Both roos allow us to simply bend down & pick them up.  We rehomed the brother this summer & are hoping a father & son team will work out just as nice. (and I kept a 3rd.... just in case)

Oh I know all about aggressive roosters. We raise American Games and most of them are gentle compared to the Sussex cock I culled. He was about 18 months old. Maybe it was a fluke and not too typical of the breed but I didnt want to continue to use him for breeding and carry on his nasty attitude. His sons so far seem a little more laid back but only time will tell. They are still only about 7 months old.

I have also noticed that our Sussex seem to mature a lot quicker than our other breeds. My biggest cockerel was chasing hens and "in charge" by around 4 months old. The hens seem to adore him and follow him everywhere. Lol

 

[summerb123]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1144673/hen-contest-2

 

[Leela NH]

Red Sussex in the US? (Besides Waltz Ark)
Wondering if there are any decent breeding programs out there. I hear they are non existent in exhibition circles these days.

Leela
Kindred Hill Farm, NH
President of the American Sussex Association

 

[3riverschick]

Red Sussex in the US? (Besides Waltz Ark)
Wondering if there are any decent breeding programs out there. I hear they are non existent in exhibition circles these days.

Leela
Kindred Hill Farm, NH
President of the American Sussex Association

Oh Leela,
found flock or too once when searching deep in the Net. Just figured everyone already knew about them. I don't remember where tho. Guess I should have bookmarked it, It's just a Speckled Sussex without the Speckles. I guess one could just keep breeding plainer and plainer Speckleds together until the Speckled disappeared.

Just took a look at the latest Missouri Poultry Yearbook. Thought I might have seen then there. Nope, but a bunch of Speckled breeders in it. They publish this each year. maybe I saw them in an earlier edition. I don't remember.



Best,
Karen