The Sussex thread!

[FreedomFarm13]

THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE HERE!!! I added 2 more SS to my order because I couldn't help it

They arrived today with their 7 brothers and sisters! Here's pics!!!

They're named Libby, Callie, and Ginny and I love them already!!! They're so cute and sweet. I haven't sussed out who will be who yet...gotta wait for personalities to emerge, but here they are!! Aren't they gorgeous?

 

[3riverschick]

She is on a 6' x 16' run that is 8" deep in construction sand. Since this has happened I am now letting them out to free range in my yard in the evenings and weekends. I live in a city, so its a typical 2800 square feet of lawn and garden area. Seems that the majority of people feel that the sand would be sufficient and there is no need for a dedicated grit feeder. Now having said that, I am wanting to try anything and just today I did buy some actual grit from a feed store. I am making a feeder tomorrow. Not sure if it is needed or will help, but I have spent $4 on worse things in my life.

Oh , I just want to throw up when I hear this stupid advice ( bold type) given to sincere poultry owners, sigh. There is a definite science of feeding grit to chickens. Based on over 7 decades of research and experimentation. Sand and just any round pebbles the birds find won't do. If sand were sufficient, why would poultry breeders in the 1930's look for a better answer? Why would a granite quarry find a market and make granite grit for poultry since 1935? Pebbles that are too small (and sand) pass right on thru the bird and are eliminated.
The gizzard is a very strong muscle. It is very important for grinding up feed before it passes on down the G.I. tract. It needs to be exercised. It needs the right stones of the right size and composition. The stones must be insoluble so the sharp edges will not be rounded off by the high level of sulfuric acid in the gizzard. It must have sharp edges to grind the feed efficiently in the short time it remains in the gizzard. Oyster shell and limestone are too soon rounded of by the acid. Granite has, over the decades, proved to be the best stone for poultry grit. The bird should be fed the largest size grit for that birds' age group. If you look in the Raising Baby Chicks Forum you will find a thread called "The Science Of Feeding Grit To Poultry". Read the 1st 6 posts.
Best,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[Chicks4MyChicks]

Thanks for all the advice......

our Speckled Sussex ' Bambi' is doing great , all her crop issues seem to be behind us now

she had an impacted crop for a few days, then followed a sour crop , both of these were rather large and as she was recovering we made a chicken bra for her and she wore it 24/7 for almost a week.

now she is running around like nothing ever happened , her crop is normal size every morning and she is awesome


heres Bambi

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Thanks for all the advice...... our Speckled Sussex ' Bambi' is doing great , all her crop issues seem to be behind us now she had an impacted crop for a few days, then followed a sour crop , both of these were rather large and as she was recovering we made a chicken bra for her and she wore it 24/7 for almost a week. now she is running around like nothing ever happened , her crop is normal size every morning and she is awesome heres Bambi

She is awesome!! Glad to hear she's doing better. Can't wait till my babies grow up and are as pretty as her!!

 

[KF0002]

A little Sussex eye candy! This cockerel is perfect aside from he only has one wattle.

 

[vachick15]

I have two Speckled Sussexes (Thunder and Chocolate) and I love them! They are so friendly, and beautiful! I'm going to post every picture I have of them!

 

[vachick15]

 

[vachick15]

 

[vachick15]

Here Chocolate is with my australorp, Licorice!

 

[vachick15]