The Sussex thread!

[Pozees]

Are SS just naturally friendly? The reason I ask is everyone I know that has Hatchery SS are super friendly almost lap chickens, are the heritage the same way? I know every chicken will have it's own personalities but on average are most of the just really sweet?

Yes

Years ago when I had my first SS the roo would greet me anytime I came back from town and immediately investigate the van if I opened the side doors to see what I brought back from town

 

[RachaelS]

Yes

Years ago when I had my first SS the roo would greet me anytime I came back from town and immediately investigate the van if I opened the side doors to see what I brought back from town

LOL! Sounds like a GREAT boy!

 

[Roxys8]

I am new to this and we are looking for light sussex chickens 2 hens and 1 rooster to start us some laying chickens for our family.. We really would like them about or close to a yr old or already laying .. Can you help me? We will be located in the very north part of Mississippi close to Memphis area... We don't mind picking them up. Thank you!

 

[3riverschick]

I am new to this and we are looking for light sussex chickens 2 hens and 1 rooster to start us some laying chickens for our family.. We really would like them about or close to a yr old or already laying .. Can you help me? We will be located in the very north part of Mississippi close to Memphis area... We don't mind picking them up. Thank you!

Hi Roxy!

If you want to show them, then stay away from the Australian line. They're so oversize, the penalty points the American Poulry Assoc. assigns for being too big at shows, automatically disqualifies them from competition at APA shows. You will want to look for American lines or American /Aussie crosses that have at least 2 generations since the original cross was made. In Sussex, profile is very important. If it doesn't look like a Sussex, it is not a Sussex. If you just want laying birds and don't care about adhering to the Standard of Perfection just pick any line you want. There is a Parent club for the breed online, The American Sussex Association (with Breeders Directory) . As well as several lists here at BYC.
Do not expect to get cheap Light Sussex and breed them up. It takes many years to set the genetics of the Light coloring and body structure. Start with the very best birds you can obtain if you wish to breed them.
Best Success,
Karen
Waterford English Light Sussex
in western PA, USA

 

[ldelahanty]

Can someone help me, we bought this chick on March 4 as a pullet, she is 6 weeks old and really looking like a cockerel. Please help! Has anyone ever had a pullet look like this? We can not keep a cockerel because of ordinance allows only hens. Please help us to determine if we need to find a new home for this sweet SS chick

 

[ldelahanty]

I am no expert on bantams for sure (or much of anything for that matter) but it could be a bantam or just a runt.  Are the legs as short as they look in the picture?

I have one like this, she is much smaller than the others.

 

[ic46750]

If it was me I would give it more time to see as it is very young. You can make plans if it dose turn out to be a roo. Nice looking anyway.
Bill
Indiana

 

[ic46750]

Hi Karen.
Nice plug for ASA!! Great group to join if new or have been at it for a time.
Do you have any stock or hatching eggs for sale?
Thanks,
Bill, Indiana

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Karen.
Nice plug for ASA!! Great group to join if new or have been at it for a time.
Do you have any stock or hatching eggs for sale?
Thanks,
Bill, Indiana

Hi Bill!
Thanks. I don't have anything right now. Just getting started with my trio. Am hatching as many as I can this season. Maybe 36.
Had everything planned, then one of my girls decidd to hatch her own and is out of commisssion for 11 weeks, sitting, hatching, raising her 3 chicks. Upside is, I am enthralled with how well the hens raise the chicks. So getting some started Phoenix pullets this July for next years season. Hopefully, I can put the incubator away. No more messy brooders, yeah!
Hey, I found the neatest poultry waterers. Buying several on pay day this week. How ingenious! By Little Giant. Take a look at this! No more messy, pooped in waterers in the brooders!
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=94038ec7-c9ff-4a44-80e4-8ab39bbd56e7
GALVANIZED ROUND HANGING WATERER
Item #:167451
http://miller-mfg.com/page/1/Product-Detail.jsp?groupId=631&prodId=85149

 

[ic46750]

Thanks for your reply and all you have posted on this site, it has been very helpful. Good luck with your broodie. Will be fun to see how the hatch goes. I had one last year that hatched 2 for me on the 1st of January. I did not know she was setting and lost them to the cold. Lost most of mine to a family of raccons this last fall so looking to start over. Bill