Sussex Chickens are a dual purpose chicken that has a wide variety of colors, such as Speckled, Light, Black, Red, Silver Laced, Golden, Brown, Spotted and various others. This article will help educate you on some of the facts about the Sussex Chicken regardless of which variation it may be.
Table of Contents
- Sussex Chicken Origin
- What Do Sussex Chickens Look Like?
- How Big Are Sussex Chicken Eggs?
- How Many Eggs Do Sussex Chickens Lay
- Sussex Chicken Temperament
Sussex Chicken Origin
The Sussex Chicken, is a breed of bird that has been well loved by chicken keepers in England since its inception. The Sussex Chicken originated from Sussex in Southeast England, when they made their debut at the London Zoo’s poultry show in 1845. This is a breed that is classified by American Poultry Association (APA) standards as a large bird. The Sussex Chicken being dual purpose made this bird the breed of choice during the Victorian Era of England.
The APA officially recognized the breed in 1914, however even as of now there’s only three varieties that are officially recognized those are The Speckled Sussex, The Red Sussex & The Light Sussex chickens, as I mentioned before though there’s many more variations than this.
What Do Sussex Chickens Look Like?
This is a large breed of chicken, with a rectangle-shaped body, wide shoulders, and a deep, broad build. Almost perfectly resembling a British gentleman in a tailored suit. The Sussex’s feathers fit snug, like a well-made jacket. Their skin is white, and they sport dapper whitish shanks. Not to forget the four-toed feet, which are quite the talking point!
The Light Sussex, has a white body and head, but the neck and tail feathers are as black as coal. Then, the Speckled Sussex flaunts a rich chestnut hue, adorned with white and black speckles, reminiscent of a starry night. The White Sussex is an elegant affair – pure white with just a dash of black around the neck. Their combs are a luscious red, with five points, and they have these intriguing horn-colored beaks. Their eyes are a reddish-bay that speaks of untold secrets, and the red earlobes are a sight to behold. And the males? They weigh a whopping 9 pounds! While the ladies, demure as they are, weigh 7 pounds.
How Big Are Sussex Chicken Eggs?
Ah, let’s get to the crux of the matter – the eggs! These are no ordinary eggs, my friend. Sussex chickens produce eggs that are generously sized; I’d say medium to large. They’re light brown, somewhat like the color of caramel, and weigh around 60 grams.
Now, I must say, even the Sussex gets a bit chilly in the winter, and while they don’t stop laying altogether, the egg production takes a leisurely pace. But worry not! As spring arrives with its warm embrace, the Sussex hens get back in action.
How Many Eggs Do Sussex Chickens Lay
So, how many little eggy treasures can one expect from these feathered wonders? Well, prepare to be amazed – these lovely ladies lay between 200-250 eggs per year! Yes, that’s right. On average, that’s like 4 eggs per week per hen. Absolutely egg-citing! The speckled variety, which is quite the overachiever, can lay up to 250 eggs a year or roughly 4-5 eggs a week. The Sussex hens usually start laying at around eight months, which is a tad later than other breeds but definitely worth the wait.
There are some divas in the group though; sometimes they go through molting or get a bit broody and might lay fewer eggs. But on the whole, Sussex chickens are your go-to for a consistent supply of large, light brown eggs. They’re comparable to some other breeds we’ve covered on Life Of A Farm such as The Barnvelder Chicken, The Easter Egger Chicken, & The Buckeye Chicken in terms of egg production.
Sussex Chicken Temperament
The Sussex chicken, what a character! It’s like the bird version of your favorite next-door neighbor. Super friendly, affable and always up for a chat over the fence. They’re docile but not pushovers – they’ve got spunk! And they’re so, so curious; always snooping around, pecking at things, trying to discover some earth-shattering secret.
Their foraging skills are top-notch. These birds would win a gold medal if there were an Olympics for foraging. They are hardy creatures too; a little cold doesn’t bother them. Aggression? Not in their dictionary! But, don’t let their sweetness fool you; they are no scaredy-cats. They just don’t like unnecessary drama.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking to add some feathery friends to your backyard, Sussex chickens are like the best pals you didn’t know you needed. Adorable, friendly, and they come bearing eggs!