I am planning on getting more chickens for my coop and I'm hoping to get the Sussex breed but I can't seem to get them at the hatchery that I want. but they do have the Columbian Plymouth rock breed they look exactly the same but I'm not for sure I wanted to know if the Columbian Plymouth Rock chickens are as good as layers as the Sussex bread (I have an egg is selling business) any help or answers would be great it is OK if they don't actually look exactly the same I just need to know if the temperament and egg production is the same .thank you
My rocks are far more productive, and produce larger eggs than my Sussex. I like the look of the Sussex, but when these girls go, i'm not sure they'll be replaced. But I wont' be without rocks.
Light Sussex are not good layers in my experience and I'm really surprised you would consider getting them if eggs are your main goal. The only advantage I can see over a production hen like a sex link, leghorn or Red is that there is more meat on them if you intend to butcher at 2-3 years. They are also very slow to mature and start laying and they can go broody. I have no experience of Columbian rocks but the main visual difference is that Light Sussex have white skin/shanks and Rocks have yellow skin/shanks. If you like the look of the Columbian pattern, you could also consider Columbian Wyandottes, particularly if you live in a cold climate as their rose combs are not prone to frost bite.
