The Sussex thread!

[RoRoinGA]

My Silvers started at 6 months. Some of my splits started earlier, I guess it all depends of the breed and the chicken. Its frustrating when ya dont get an egg in the box but nothing can describe the first egg you get from your girls. = )

 

[jmagill]

My Sussex started to lay between 24-28 weeks.

I got my first Coronation rooster/ Split hen egg today! I am so excited. Turns out I have more split roosters than I thought so they will be visiting the freezer and I will
be able to start hatching to fill their spots.

 

[Toi-toi]

That's good to know! My SS is over 21weeks now and I don't see any eggs.
I was worry about that...

 

[kathyinmo]

About Coronation Sussex, and splits ..... even the Light Sussex ....

Have any of you hatched or do you have any with lightly feathered shanks, like in these photos from Greenfire Farms website?

Here is the same picture, blown up ....

 

[JanieMarie]

Hi Kathy! I didn't realize the coronations had trouble with feathered shanks too. The greenfire light sussex has this show up quite often. None of my new breeders has any feathering on the shanks so apparently it must be fairly easy to breed out. I have a LS broody on some eggs that are pure greenfire so we'll see if it pops up again in these. This broody is only about 8 months old but is very determined! Due to hatch on Tues. I candled last night and they are all looking good along with a bunch of blrw in the bator due on Tues too!
BTW none of my buff sussex have ever had any feathered shanks.

 

[jmagill]

How often do your Sussex go broody?

I have a light hem that has hen laying about three weeks. I can not get her to abandon the nest. This has been going on about a week.
I keep taking the eggs out and sometimes her. She has claimed the nest that the other girls like and I
often find her on the bottom and another hen on top of her trying to lay their eggs.

 

[kathyinmo]

Thank you, Janie. I had just never heard anyone else mention the feathered shanks before, and was curious. Personally, I don't care either way, I just like the Sussex and am not a breeder. It so happens I hatched a couple like this (Coronation), and wondered what was going on. So, I investigated. Paul was kind enough to send me a message, and said:
Quote:

 

[crfarm]

I am currently looking for some silver sussex eggs. anyone have any? Hope it's ok to ask here.

 

[Inkheart]

Hello All!

I am curious if anyone has any nicely marked - good quality speckled hens available ( not looking ncessarily for show quality). I live about 25 minutes out side of Columbus Ohio and will be at the Ohio Nationals in November. I then would like to add a rooster and maybe another hen in the spring . My Delaware girls have about an acre and half securely fenced and sleep and roost in a large 20x20 metal barn- well ventilated- so they would be well pampered. I love the sussex and want to get a good start in them.
Point me in the right direction and i would be really grateful!
Thanks

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Wow, I didn't know there had been issues with feathered shanks on the Sussex, thanks for bringing that to our attention Kathy.


I have a couple of questions and I hope someone can tell me the answers.

I have two lines of Light Sussex.

One from Greenfire and another from JanieMarie (Hi Janie!)

I bred the GreenFire Roo to one of Janie's hens and now I have this ginormous Roo. I think he looks great but he has some speckles on his breast.

I can't remember if one of the lines has speckled chests or not or if it will molt out...

Plus, are his legs too long? I call him Stretch because he is really big and still young and gangly. When he fills out he's going to be a monster.

Anyone know?