The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

I have a question!

Are light sussex bantams as heavy for their size as light sussex large fowl?

I'm thinking about hatching some light sussex bantams for my project and the roos will be for meat, I'm not too bothered abotu teh size of the bird as long as it has a decent amount of meat on it for the size.

I'm also considering getting some indian game bantams and seeing if I can breed small meat birds next year...

Thoughts?

MAW · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Kent

Can any of you Sussex experts help me confirm the sexes of the birds below? They are 16 weeks old

Thanks!

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1649 Location: Carmarthenshire

The one with the red comb and wattles is a cockerel the other a pullet Very Happy

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Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

ditto!

CP · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Yup!

MAW · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Kent

thought as much. Thanks. SOld to me as pullets!!! Now need to rehome my poor little cockerel.

If anyone knows of a good home for a 16 week old boy, please let me know! Free to good home!

LMC · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 24 Location: WA

Hey Auzzie Chick!
Do you know around about how much Sussex cost each in Aus dollars? and where i can find a breeder in my area?

Smile

And does anyone know if they mix with most breeds?
Thanks xx

VM · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Manchester

Anyone any views or experience about Buff Sussex as layers compared with Light or White Sussex?

Was hoping to get some Light Sussex as they keep being mentioned as good layers - but finding it hard to source any at the moment.

Have just arranged to buy our first chickens (RIR, Cream Legbars & a couple of Welsumer/CLB crosses) from some nice people who have some Buff Sussex which will be ready in a while - and wondered if they are likely to lay as well as Light and White Sussex or if I should wait until I can locate some Light Sussex.

thanks for any info.

anni · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Location: UK

I have kept buff sussexs for a while and have only ever hatched normal buff chicks from eggs that I've produced, with the traditional gold colouring. However, last summer I hatched one odd chick that has grown into a very handsome cockeral, but totally different from all the pothers - he really looks more like a miniature brahma: yellow legs, very fluffy downy bottom(!), totally black from neck to tail with only slight gold on wings, and a different comb (pea) to the single combs my buff sussex bantams have.

(he's not from inbred stock and we live in the middle of nowhere, so definitely no rogue cocks to get at our hens!)

I've read that sussexs were developed partly by breeding from brahmas - was wondering if this was just a wierd mutation or returning to its genetic roots?? I'm very curious!

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1649 Location: Carmarthenshire

Don't know hwo much or where you can get them LMC but I do know they are very friendly birds that get on with anything - even our dogs! Laughing

Teasal · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject:

In this last batch of pullets are two light sussex. They look awfully small to me, and am not wondering if they are bantams. One has a comb, and the other looks peculiar in the head department, no red comb, just fluffy hair - but there is a definite rise there as if a comb should be there - is it going to have a comb, as it looks rather peculiar. Anyway, she said they are both laying.

They are both very skitty compared to the others, which you can pick up. I used to have a light sussex bantam hen and cockerel and they were both nervy round people.

Woodburner · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

Teasal · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Do you know Woodburner - you may be right!!

I have been looking at those two birds this afternoon, and although the same colour, one definitely looks different, but for some reason a silikie never even crossed my mind.

Will take a pic of them - but its been torrential rain today, so they have stayed in the shed mainly - like a mud bath outside in the run.

marmitegirl · Joined: 02 Sep 2008 Posts: 12

So can you tell me if i have a light sussex.......was actually sold as a buff orpington!!!! It doesnt have any black around the neck now but used to have a very faint black star pattern .

CP · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 1:16 am Post subject:

Lovely pic...you ought to enter that in the calendar competition. Very Happy