TheresaV
Chirping
I have 8 one year old hens: 3 Cochins, 1 gold lace Wyandott, 2 Cuckoo Marins, one Barred Rock, and one Speckled Sussex. At the feed store when I picking them out as baby chicks, I just wanted all the kinds. Rooky mistake. 
The Speckled Sussex, Rusty, was submissive and quiet, and kind of stayed in the background for the first few months. I worried about her a little that she would get picked on as she was also the smallest chicken. Then about midwinter, she blossomed out and proved to be the smartest, boldest, friendliest chicken in the bunch. She moved up the pecking order fast.
She is quite independent though. It makes me wonder how much of being a leader involves just doing what you want without noticing if anyone follows or not! She is an excellent forager and the others are indeed often smart enough to follow Rusty and forage wherever she does.
I will certainly be getting more Speckled Sussex chickens ASAP. They are my favorite breed so far.

The Speckled Sussex, Rusty, was submissive and quiet, and kind of stayed in the background for the first few months. I worried about her a little that she would get picked on as she was also the smallest chicken. Then about midwinter, she blossomed out and proved to be the smartest, boldest, friendliest chicken in the bunch. She moved up the pecking order fast.
She is quite independent though. It makes me wonder how much of being a leader involves just doing what you want without noticing if anyone follows or not! She is an excellent forager and the others are indeed often smart enough to follow Rusty and forage wherever she does.
I will certainly be getting more Speckled Sussex chickens ASAP. They are my favorite breed so far.