HENthusiastic Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 HI. I'm doing my "wish list" for new chickens. (We are extending our walk in run soon, so have room for 2 new girls ) I really really like the speckled sussex but have read that they are the most likely of the Sussex's to go broody. So, thats what I'm wondering from you lovely omletteers. Do the speckled sussex go broody often? I have one girl already who goes broody at regular intervals so I'm quite keen not to go for another breed that is prone to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I don't have experience of the Speckled Sussex going broody, but I hatched one who didn't lay till she was a year old, only laid 2 eggs then had a bad prolapse ......sorry that doesn't answer your question, but just my experience of that breed (think she was a 'dud' hen). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Oh dear that doesnot sound good. Sorry you had a rough time with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I don't have experience with speckled sussex, but as a breed sussex do tend to go broody - although obviously to some extent its down to the individual hen. Why don't you try the Sussex Poultry Club to get a bit of info? Sussex Club Contact: Miss S Raisey Tel: 01823 672789 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judith67 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have a bluebelle, a maran and a sussex star, and the sussex is the one I have had most trouble with. She has gone broody, lays softies and is now moulting, whereas the others have done none of those things in the 8 months i have had them all. (However she is also the daintiest and prettiest and most vocal ....ssshhhh.... dont tell the others) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 aarrrrgggg! Think I may have to re-think. Thanks for all your advice guys. I'm disapointed. I was sooooo liking the look of the speckled sussex. They look like they've had a tiff with a paint pot! Judith67: dont think you should blame the poor dear for moulting she's just trying to make herself even more beautiful for you Daphne: thanks for that phone number. Anybody else got any broody or unbroody experiences of sussex's??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 well as a coincidence I've just read a post on another site from someone selling speckled sussex bantams - he/she says they don't lay as well as the light sussex (but then the lights are the best layers) but are still good. I know someone who sells buff sussex and he says "Ooops, word censored!"ody wants to buy them anymore because of the broodyness (although thats obviously if you want eggs - lots of people do actually want a broody; thats why silkie/sussex crosses are so popular). However, I wouldn't want to put you off my county's birds - I think they're great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madbird Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We've got a Speckled Sussex, although she's not started laying yet. She is a truly beautiful bird and so glad we have her. I have also read that out of all the Sussex, the Speckled is the most likely to go broody... but that doesn't bother me I think you should still consider one.. they are beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 yes to add to that I have jubilee orps and although they're not the same as a speckled sussex they're not that far off in general feather appearance. They do look fabulous scratching around under bushes etc. When you examine the feathers close up they are amazing - so many colours are in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Oh decisions decisions. I'm really tempted to go with one anyway. They are lovely looking and its always a bit pot luck isnt it. I have a miss pepperpot who was broody THREE TIMES last year. I kept showing her the page in the book that said she didn't go broody, but she just said that I must be confused, she suggested that she must actually be a pure breed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 well there we are then - go with your instincts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Its all down to beauty vs practicality??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 you are talking to somebody who owns orps (not great on the egg front compared to many, go broody and eat like shetland ponies) and polands (big hairdos, should only mix with other breeds really under supervision and can't free range unless I'm about)....so in my case beauty (at least my idea of it) wins every time! I think my real advice is don't rush into it - there are always birds to buy out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have 2 1year old silver sussexs and they have NEVER gone broody and laid nearly every day in the summer and only stopped for a little while to moult. I also have a light sussex who has just started to lay, she is lovely and wil eat out of my hand and I think she is a lot prettier than silver sussexs. I love speckled sussexs! Very Go for it! Good Luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madbird Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I think there is a small chance of them going broody, but they are not like some breeds that go broody at the drop of a hat! I guess there is a small chance of any hen going broody. And they do produce a decent amount of eggs.. and look lovely into the bargain too! In my flock we have our two warren hybrids to keep us in eggs, but the criteria for the rest of the flock was pretty, friendly birds that would give us a few eggs too Go on.. you know you want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My Light Sussex laid her first egg on 31st December and promptly went broody on 17th January! I thought I might be able to chivvy her out of it, but no she has fluffed herself up to a ginormous size and occupies the nestbox full time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I would definitely get a speckled sussex - I have the bantam version, and she is the prettiest little hen you can imagine! She has never been broody, and lays regularly during the summer months, and she is very friendly. I have to admit that, if I had favourites she would be one! Go for it - it's worth having one of these beautiful hens just for her looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccroft Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 In my flock we have our two warren hybrids to keep us in eggs, but the criteria for the rest of the flock was pretty, friendly birds that would give us a few eggs too We did the same, picked 3 really good layers and to make sure of a good egg supply and then we picked the two light and silver sussex because of looks and because they are with children, just so, so friendly. If they go broody it won't be the end of the world and when the times right I'd love to get some hatching eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Oooooooooooooohhh Hen, they are all really tempting you aren't they, what are you going to do . I think you should get one, all your other girlies will give you eggs if she goes broody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I have a Speckled Sussex but as yet she hasn't laid and egg yet. She must be about 36 weeks old now but is definitely looking like she may soon, her comb and wattles have got much redder and bigger in the last couple of weeks and she is in and out of the cube quite a bit during the day - so am hoping. Her breeder said that she'd be the last of the 4 I bought from them to lay. She is lovely though and huge compared with my Leghorns and Legbar. Here is a picture of Dorabella And a close up of her bum as her feathers are really lovely I bought her from http://www.peartreefarmpoultry.co.uk who had some with their laying stock so they must be relatively good layers and they certainly looked majestic alongside the hybrids They might be able to help with advice about broodiness though. Only time will tell about the broodiness of her - I hope not as I don't want to have to shove her in a broody cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggienator Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Its all down to beauty vs practicality??? Now where have I heard that before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
