The Sussex thread!

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3riverschick said:
Ok, genetically this bird is a Sussex. In color it is a Coronation Sussex. But in the eyes of the APA Standard, it is not a Sussex because it does not meet the breed body type. I am sure it will lay and behave like a Sussex so , yes, of course enjoy your birds as we all do. One thing you can do to bring out the best of your bird's genetic is to change the feed to a 20% to 22% crumble. These heritage large fowl like the Sussex do much better on increased protein. I had real good success with Agway Meatbird which is a sister product to Naturewise Meatbird ( both made by Cargill) . The difference was startling fro the 16% crumble I had been feeding. . the birds fleshed out real nice and their feathers just shined so nice! I also did well with Southern States Meatbird. Historically, the Sussex was created as a Meatbird. Also get some Gran-I-Grit Developer ( Agway or call Gran-I-Grit) . The proper size grit will the birds grind their food better so they can digest more of the nutrients. Feeding the right size grit at the right age can result in as much as 20% more egg laying as an adult.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/gran-i-grit-insoluable-crushed-granite ( scroll down to feeding chart )
http://www.ncgranite.com/crushed-stone-surry-county/cut-stone-mt-airy-nc/gran-i-grit-products.html

Ah, here it is, the official Gran-I-Grit brochure I was looking for. 2 pages of great info. http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf
Best Success,
Karen
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Never thought much about feed. Thanks for the idea. I do like eggs, so more is always better! Do you feed free choice? Do you have your whole flock on it while the chicks are young?

I've just used the common "chick starter / grower" mix. I figured the people making it know more about chicken nutrition than I do. Mine also free range when there's no snow, so much of their food comes from what they find. My suburban, backyard "flock" consists of my fav breeds plus a few friendly mutts. (All were hatched here, but I don't breed them.) When the pullets are added to the flock (maybe 8weeks old), I put chick feed in all the feeders & just have oyster shell & grit available in the usual places. My thinking is that hens eating chick food would be safer than chicks eating layer food.
 
Faraday40 said:
Never thought much about feed. Thanks for the idea. I do like eggs, so more is always better! Do you feed free choice? Yes I do. Do you have your whole flock on it while the chicks are young? My chicks are raised in brooders. I haven't put my chicks with the adults until they are 12 weeks and then they eat the Meatbird just like everyone else. The Meatbird can be fed from hatch throughout their lives. But I start my chicks out from hatch on medicated chick feed for as long as the bag says or until they are 3 months old. The chicks also get Poultry Nutri-Drench or Goat Nutri-Drench ( using the Poultry Nutri-drench dosage and usage instructions) in their water for the 1st month to get them off to a strong start.

I've just used the common "chick starter / grower" mix. I figured the people making it know more about chicken nutrition than I do. I agree . Mine also free range when there's no snow, so much of their food comes from what they find. My suburban, backyard "flock" consists of my fav breeds plus a few friendly mutts. (All were hatched here, but I don't breed them.) When the pullets are added to the flock (maybe 8weeks old), I put chick feed in all the feeders & just have oyster shell & grit available in the usual places. My thinking is that hens eating chick food would be safer than chicks eating layer food. I totally agree with this last sentence.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Dorothy
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@3riverschick In your experience with this breed, do you feel there is any validity to the belief that the tail female chicks will appear and grow faster than males? Or the similar belief about wings growing faster?

I ask because I'm new to the breed and have 2 Speckled Sussex chicks hatched within 24 hours of each other. At only a week, one has nearly no tail at all while the other's tail is fairly good sized and it's wings are much more developed, too. They are quite a bit different in overall size, however the small one's tail and wings are still not at the same point of development as the larger was 2-3 days ago.

Thank you for any thoughts you may have on this topic.
 

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