The Poultry Keeper

stephen · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:57 pm Post subject: Sussex

Thread for sussex

stephen · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject:

Light Sussex

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 451 Location: gwent

thank you !! i think its a great idea to have thread on different bird breeds as i would also like to know about others and what they are like as when we move we want some other girls to join our light Sussex

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 451 Location: gwent

i don't really know anything about the breed as we have only had our girls a few weeks but in that short period of time they have become cheeky little chooks and we love them.if anyone can tell me more about the breed that would be appreciated thanks Smile

debcat · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 7:46 pm Post subject:

Sussex are available in both large and bantam. As well as in a variety of colours, the most popular are light and buff

The large breed is classed as dual purpose,
they lay pale tinted eggs and are good layers, top strains are capable of 280 per year.

As a breed they tend to be fairly docile and are easily tamed.
The hens have a tendency to go broody and make excellent mothers.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:50 pm Post subject:

Our LS is 28 weeks old and hasn't started laying yet. She is very friendly and lets us pick her up. She is top of the pecking order and is the biggest of our girls. She's really heavy, incredibly fluffy, soft feathers.

lilly the pink · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

Sussex are one of the oldest British breeds of chicken and the Sussex club is one of the oldest poultry clubs, just over 100 years old. Speckled sussex are believed to be the original colour and they used to be called Spangled Sussex which i think is a much funkier name.

Before the second world war light sussex were one of the most popular breeds for commercial poultry keeping and were frequently crossed with RIRs as one of the earliest hybrids.

They are classed as dual purpose birds, being both good layers and excellent eaters, but they can be slow to mature and will take quite a long time to come into lay, typically 24 weeks or so.

They are large and docile birds, the hens reaching about 7-9lbs and the cockerels around 11 or 12lbs.

Good utility birds are hard to come by now but should reach around 260 a year if you can find them. These are most likely to be light sussex as the others have not been so popular for selective breeding. The light sussex was probably chosen because of the sex link possible from the RIR crosses.

They come in a number of colours being: White, Light, Speckled, Buff, Silver, Red, Brown and Coronation. Previously they have been bred in cuckoo and blue as well but these colours are rare or extinct now.

A flock of traditional utility light sussex is a marvellous sight in any setting. They are very attractive and rewarding birds to keep. They are robust and good foragers.

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

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sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 451 Location: gwent

just wondered how much do light Sussex sell for everywhere we bought our in south wales for £10 each is this what most people charge for this breed? Question

LisaLou · Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 109 Location: Herts

I have seen this breed selling for £9.95 locally (in Herts)

HeatherBB · Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 150 Location: Chelmsford

I've just acquired 3 Wellsummers (2 Hens & a cockerel) but would like a couple of light sussex. Do they mix well with what I've already got and is there any supplier near me (Essex) that anybody can recommend? any help would be appreciated.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:31 am Post subject:

ejc-free · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 138

Can you help - I was given a "light Sussex" day old chick 9 weeks ago - and fostered her & 2 bluebelles under our buff Sussex - but she's white - no dark feathers coming though - so just wondered do we have an impostor or do the darker feathers appear later?

No digital camera - or I'd try posting a piccie

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi
This is one of my Light Sussex at about 9 weeks

Aussie Chick · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

Mine also has black in her tail feathers. mine doens't have as much black as Georges, I'll go and take a pic. be back soon.