Lulabellx1 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Hi All We picked up our very first chickens on Saturday and I have been really enjoying their company. We decided to go for the Light Sussex breed (being that we are from Sussex ourselves) and they seem very happy so far. I was told that they are 17 weeks old and so we have a little bit of a wait until we should get our first eggy but we are are very excited and I keep checking the nesting boxes every day 'just in case'. Whats the betting that the one day I dont bother to check, will be the day! My only problem at the moment is that I cant really name them! Well I have names, but I cant tell the difference between them yet so I wont know who is who?? I think I'll wait until their chombs and wattles have gotten bigger/redder and hopefully I'll see some difference! Here is our set-up, and our lovely girls! Would love to hear from any other Light Sussex owners who may have some advice or better still, pic's!! Lu xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Gorgeous! I'd love a light sussex or two...maybe one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 They look lovely - I see what you mean about not being able to tell them apart at the moment but apart from colouring I'm sure they all develop their own little personalities too. One of my first girls was a light sussex hybrid, she turned out to be a very gentle girl. Have lots of fun and congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Yes, ours are Hybrids too. I understand that as a breed they are very gentle and can deal with children (I have a two and half year old, so wanted a breed that wouldn't get too stressed about him) mind you, my little boy has been very gentle around them so far. I have noticed that one in particular is a lot braver then the other two. She is always out first and even came very close to take a nice peice of juicy grass that I had poked through the fence. If any of them will eat out of my hand, I think she'll be the first. Give me a bit of time, I'll be able to tell them apart... I hope. My mother in law asked my son... "what are their names" and he said "The Girls Nanny!" LOL Lu x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G and B Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Welcome on board, Lu. We're in Peacehaven - just around the corner. Our Light Sussex is a very gentle girl, lovely nature. Good luck with the wait for eggs, it's wonderful when they start laying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 They are lovely - I have an aunt who lives in Winchelsea and would like to move to Sussex eventually (I'm orginally from Kent ). Your girls are lovely - I have 2 bluebelles that I can't tell apart and they have just become 'the bluebelles' Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannablue Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I have one light sussex, Sybil. She is lovely. She lays me lovely light brown eggs. She is one of 3 sussex I have - the others are a buff and a speckled. I also have a welsummer. All are lovely, and very friendly. What are the names you had thought of just out of interest? I dont have any pics to hand of Sybil but she can be seen on this clip: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Lovely set-up. I have a simiular run, well the same, put you have a pull out tray i see? i dont.. The girls are really stunning! i've heard they make great pets from my friends, who all infact own light sussex! i would like one or two one day after i've got my ex batts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 I have one light sussex, Sybil. She is lovely. She lays me lovely light brown eggs. She is one of 3 sussex I have - the others are a buff and a speckled. I also have a welsummer. All are lovely, and very friendly. What are the names you had thought of just out of interest? I dont have any pics to hand of Sybil but she can be seen on this clip: What a lovely setup you have! Those girls are very lucky, and the Sussex is a good jumper I see! Wonderful video, thanks for sharing it. We were thinking Kelly, Florence and Cleopatra (K.F.C) LOL!! Lovely set-up.I have a simiular run, well the same, put you have a pull out tray i see? i dont.. The girls are really stunning! i've heard they make great pets from my friends, who all infact own light sussex! i would like one or two one day after i've got my ex batts! Well, the coop was a bit of a bargain actually. They are selling the one you have without the poop tray at our local farm (Middle Farm, Polegate) and it is £189 so I spent DAYS searching the internet and managed to pick one up with the poop tray for £120. Not bad I thought. Out of interest, how many have you got in your coop? I was tempted to have four, but thought they might be a bit cramped. Saying that, we bought them from our local farm and he had fifty in an average sized coop, so they have got a lot more space in ours then they did at the farm! They're good healthy girls though. Welcome on board, Lu. We're in Peacehaven - just around the corner. Our Light Sussex is a very gentle girl, lovely nature. Good luck with the wait for eggs, it's wonderful when they start laying! Oooh! I live in Denton, Newhaven but work in Peacehaven. Might have to pop round and have a look at your setup!! Also, I know where to go if I need any advice. Lu x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannablue Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I have one light sussex, Sybil. She is lovely. She lays me lovely light brown eggs. She is one of 3 sussex I have - the others are a buff and a speckled. I also have a welsummer. All are lovely, and very friendly. What are the names you had thought of just out of interest? I dont have any pics to hand of Sybil but she can be seen on this clip: What a lovely setup you have! Those girls are very lucky, and the Sussex is a good jumper I see! Wonderful video, thanks for sharing it. We were thinking Kelly, Florence and Cleopatra (K.F.C) LOL!! Like the names! You could always get some leg rings and put a different colour on each one which would help identify them so you know which name to call - mine do know their names so they get used to it. It also helps when you call although I find a handful of corn works just as well If I refer to them as a group though they are "The Girls" You're set up looks nice too, I am sure they will be very happy (and if like mine spoilt) with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Leg rings!! Didnt think of that! I'll definetly consider that one, seen them on ebay for very cheap. Well, after careful consideration we have decided that we are going to let the girls range free in the garden and put chicken wire round the vegetables (they wont mind being cooped up, pardon the pun) so over the next couple of weeks I will mostly be looking for things to put round the veg beds! Lu xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 They are beautiful hens and your house is very pretty! I have been looking at the same one to use as a spare/to quarantine any new chooks as it is such a bargain and looks great! We have a light Sussex pullet, she is 14 weeks old called 'Mable'. She's the 'naughtiest' of our girls, is very mosey and quite a character! We also have two older buff Sussex hens. Good luck with your girls, I was terrified to free range mine for the first time, but I love watching them out and about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Thanks, I am terrified but our garden is very secure (we just need to protect our Fruit and veg). I think I'll be really scared when I go to work for the first time and leave them roaming!! But if we can be brave, Im sure it will all be fine as we are taking all the right precautions. Gonna keep them in their coop for a few weeks (probably until they start laying) and then try and figure out how to clip their wings and set up the trellis round the veggies and off they will go! Lu x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Congratulations on your new girls, they're gorgeous . Love the coop too . There's a list of chicken names here if you need more inspiration (although I think your suggested names are great ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 What lovely girls they are Congratulations I don't want to be a party pooper Lu, but if you plan to go out & not shut them into their coop whilst you are at work, be prepared for a nasty visit from Mr Fox......it doesn't matter how secure your garden is, a fox will find a way in if he's going to get an easy dinner I'd suggest a larger walk in run if you are feel the coop is too small to contain them all day.......... Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Congrats on your new girls. I have a light sussex hybrid and she's is the most inquisitve and lovely girl (she's my favourite ). I've only had her since April but she jumps up on my lap and is just gorgeous. Her name is Augustas (YS named her nothing to do with me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael_farnsworth Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Lovely! I've got a Light Sussex too - Athene - she is much more skittish than my Speckledy but lays beautiful pale eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 Well, Im hoping the gees wont be too far off. I was told they were 17 weeks so I'll be keeping my eye out as the weeks roll by. Im so split weather to let them free-range or not?!? I understand about the not-so-fantastic Mr Fox but if I am only going to let them free range when I am at home... they really wont get much free-ranging in at all?? We were toying with the idea of building them a slightly larger compound but it cant be too big as our garden is not massive. Hmmmmm? I might post a thread for some advice about free-ranging. Thanks for all your help and info guys!! Lu xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted June 2, 2010 Author Share Posted June 2, 2010 Guess what! I found a difference... One of the girls has got a march more arched beak and has a dark black line running down the front of it. Today we named her Kelly! Light Sussex Keepers: Will this blackness on her beak stay or will it go white as she get older? she's only 17 weeks. Lu xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatalieC Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 If you are worried about foxes you could always get a Foxwatch (about £50) - my girls free range all the time (even when I'm not in) and I bought a Foxwatch for peace of mind. I've only ever seen a fox four times (in nearly four years) and I've chased him off but since I bought the Foxwatch I haven't seen him at all. We live by a large park and there is an arboretum and a stream at the bottom of our garden so there's lots of wildlife about. A Foxwatch is a good idea if you are worried as it does seem to work and I know other people on the forum have used them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 If you are worried about foxes you could always get a Foxwatch (about £50) - my girls free range all the time (even when I'm not in) and I bought a Foxwatch for peace of mind. I've only ever seen a fox four times (in nearly four years) and I've chased him off but since I bought the Foxwatch I haven't seen him at all. We live by a large park and there is an arboretum and a stream at the bottom of our garden so there's lots of wildlife about. A Foxwatch is a good idea if you are worried as it does seem to work and I know other people on the forum have used them too. I just want to sound a word of warning here..I have a Foxwatch and have lost three of my hens to foxes..in spite of it being turned on etc....If a fox is hungry Foxwatch is absolutely no defence and personally I would not rely on it - it is only a deterrent..and in my experience not a very good one. I'd recommend a WIR or if you have the room Electric Fences..but even they are not 100% foolproof (foxes have been known to tunnel in to WIR's and Electric Fences occasionally short out). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppers77 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Hello Lu, Like you we are very happy & proud to own 3 light susex girls ( & 1 boy for a few days longer!) We live in Hampshire & thought they sounded ideal for newbies being it's the lovely county next door!. We had our original 3 ( 2 turned out to be very handsome lads!) since they were 8 weeks old & they are so tame now they come in the kitchen & sit on the mat while i cook tea & sing along to the radio! We have had to swap one boy back as he'd started to crow & have brought home 2 new girls last week from the same hatching. Theay are a little smaller & more nervous but are slowly gaining in confidence. The orginal boy is only crowing once a week when i get them up in the mornings! When we thought they we all girls we had Ethel ( became Erol!), Barrietta ( just palin old Barrie now!) & Violet . Now we have Gwunevere, Hyacynth & (original) Violet. The cames came to my hubbie after we'd had them a few weeks! I think old fashioned names suit them, so named them after our Nan & great aunties! They really are lovely aroud people - love to sit near you & be with you, but then that's the big charm offensive to get more sweetcorn out of the freezer! Best of luck, pops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
