The Sussex thread!

[7 Biddies]

Oh no. I pray that production picks up.

Seems they're very unpredictible. Mine slowed down so that I was getting a total of 4 - 5 eggs per day (8 laying hens). But, now they've picked up so that I'm getting 6 - 8 per day!! The only thing I can think of was during that real cold snap when it was in the low 20's at night, I put the heat lamp on in the hen house to keep them warm. But, I turned it off over a week ago. The red light never influenced production in my previous flock; but, maybe these girls were stimulated and had a delayed reaction.

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Seems they're very unpredictible. Mine slowed down so that I was getting a total of 4 - 5 eggs per day (8 laying hens). But, now they've picked up so that I'm getting 6 - 8 per day!! The only thing I can think of was during that real cold snap when it was in the low 20's at night, I put the heat lamp on in the hen house to keep them warm. But, I turned it off over a week ago. The red light never influenced production in my previous flock; but, maybe these girls were stimulated and had a delayed reaction.  

Maybe so. I find that giving some extra hugs and love helps with keeping them happy. I have been told that when they are happy they lay better. Plus temps warmer than 40° help. Right now I am chickenless We just moved to a farm where we can have any flock size we wish. I am starting chicks in March. We will have small beginnings. I know that 21 out of 26 are pullets.

 

[xlboergoats]

I know that the National Show is in Knoxville this weekend. We are having our Marans National there too. If anyone is going and has show quality Speckled Sussex females or trios of Light Sussex for sale, please let me know. We are going to be in Knoxville, TN this weekend at the APA Nationals and would love to bring some new birds home for our breeding programs.

Thanks,
Ernie

 

[campingshaws]

My SS roo, Easy. He's under a year old. Will his tail fill out anymore or is that it?

 

[Outpost JWB]

Yes it will. He is pretty

 

[campingshaws]

I was playing with the flock today and noticed that one SS hen, the only one I've ever gotten eggs from, has a pinched tail. We were hoping to start a little breeding program, but I guess she's out. I haven't had any sussex eggs since October, when I added some dominant, aggressive amber whites to the flock and then everyone got fowl pox.

Now that they're over the pox and have the pecking order settled I thought they would lay again, but no luck so far.

Are the sussex finicky about laying, like box size or material? Are they particularly susceptible to stress? I've considered rehoming my amber whites if it would mean sussex eggs again.

 

[campingshaws]

 

[LesGus5]

Mocha laid her first egg today! Great Christmas surprise! These pics are from when she was younger, but figured I'd post anyway.

 

[Faraday40]

Congrats Mocha! It's such a big deal. I took all kinds of photos or our first eggs. (Here's the egg in the nest.... the hen who laid the egg.......my daughter carrying the egg to the house in a basket,,,,,,,, the tiny egg compared to other eggs..... the egg in the fry pan....etc.) I was so excited that one would think that I had laid the egg myself!

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Congrats Mocha! It's such a big deal. I took all kinds of photos or our first eggs. (Here's the egg in the nest.... the hen who laid the egg.......my daughter carrying the egg to the house in a basket,,,,,,,, the tiny egg compared to other eggs..... the egg in the fry pan....etc.) I was so excited that one would think that I had laid the egg myself!

Mocha laid her first egg today! Great Christmas surprise! These pics are from when she was younger, but figured I'd post anyway.

I am so happy for Mocha! Go Mocha! Go Mocha! I love the milestones...good and bad. Such a big girl now. Keep up the good work!