poachedegg Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 (edited) About 10 days ago we rehomed a Speckled Sussex whom we have named Dorothy (AKA Dot), not from the best of backgrounds and reminds me a bit of an ex batt in that she doesn't act 'chickeny' and is quite cumbersome when she walks. Dorothy is isolated at the moment and was wondering whether anybody could help me age her, as I know that pure breeds lay later.......... I'm thinking about 15 - 17 weeks.......any opinions, especially from Speckled Sussex owners? Edited May 4, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Looking at her head gear, I'd say you are right. My Speckled Sussex, the dimmest hen that ever lived, was 35 weeks old before she laid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 When we got ours we were told they were around that age and the combs look very similar, so I would say you are about right. Whats her background? Never heard of a rescue hen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 When we got ours we were told they were around that age and the combs look very similar, so I would say you are about right. Whats her background? Never heard of a rescue hen! Rehomed as in, she wasn't wanted and already has had 2 previous owners (we are her 3rd). Thanks both for the confirmation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Aww why wouldn't anyone want her?! She looks so cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Aw She does look worried. Has she got really short legs or is it the camera angle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 OOooo I want one of those, it would go very nicely with a white something. How awful, I'm planning the boys replacements already. What colour egg would she lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Aw She does look worried. Has she got really short legs or is it the camera angle? Actually she does have quite short legs with a big body and is a little cumbersome when she walks, like her feet are too big for her, as said previously she doesn't act very chickeny, we're hoping to get her in with the other girls as soon as is suitably possible and hopefully she'll learn from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 She's lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 My Speckled Sussex is 43 weeks old and still has not laid - the breeder did tell me that they were slow to mature! She has a much bigger and brighter comb than yours - I would say that yours is still quite a youngster ..... lovely girl though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'm going to stick my neck out and say that she looks like an old hen to me - just something about the face... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'm going to stick my neck out and say that she looks like an old hen to me - just something about the face... What about the face Tasha? She is here to stay, so doesn't matter in the scheme of things, would be interested though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 She's not got much comb and wattles though. Check her last wing feather it's pointed in a pullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'm going to stick my neck out and say that she looks like an old hen to me - just something about the face... Tasha, that was my first thought as well when I saw the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 good stuff with the rehoming - it's always nice to help out a little hen in need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Ah.....speckled sussex often have quite whiskery faces and worldly eyes - our girl certainly does. Age looks about right - she is quite short, isn't she? But she is an absolute poppet. Mine is daft but has grown really quite cuddly - they are lovely birds. She's not keen on laying though and does a lot of grumbling. They are also inclined to overeat if you let 'em.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I too think she's older, she looks too well filled out to be 16/17 weeks. They're still gangly at that age. I'll take a photo of my Speckled Sussex tomorrow to compare. She's around nine months old and hasn't laid yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 her comb and wattles are small for an old girl this is hope my speckled sussex just after I got her last easter aged 30+ weeks I'll have a look for a better photo tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm going to stick my neck out and say that she looks like an old hen to me - just something about the face... On reflection, I guess you might be right! 3 owners in 17 weeks would be exceptionally bad luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm going to stick my neck out and say that she looks like an old hen to me - just something about the face... On reflection, I guess you might be right! 3 owners in 17 weeks would be exceptionally bad luck. I'm surprised you find that funny - I think it's a shame myself! Opinion seems to be split, so we're none the wiser really. She is large, but also quite cumbersome when walking hence why we thought she possibly could be a teenager, but maybe overweight? I suppose only time will tell and either way she's got a home for life, so will give you all an update when things progress.........thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I do think it is a shame. At least she is settled now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Aaaaah, bless her little heart, she looks ever so pretty I am sure she will be very happy to have now found her forever home and a loving chicken mummy aaaah, very well done for rehoming such a lovely little girlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Her comb and wattles will shrink back when she isnt laying I only say she looks old as she has a hens face Three owners in a short time would be surprising, people are unlikely to pass on young pure bred pullets but I guess a change of circumstances would account for that, these things happen. It could be that she is old and not laying and thats why she has been passed on (I hope that isnt the case ) Could her funny gait be attributed to peritonitis? Mostin and I think Jools too breed Sussex so its maybe worth seeing what they think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Well an update on Dorothy - at last she's behaving like a normal chicken! She has come into lay in the last couple of weeks, looks very much healthier in her gait and general demeanour. She was literally standing on the perch all day and we had to force out to free range and even then she would just stand there - she doesn't look bloated anymore and is happily ensconsed with the rest of the flock now, though she still chooses to sleep on a perch in the run. .....patience and perseverance worked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Can you post a current picture of her? Have her comb and wattles developed? Really glad to hear that all has worked out well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
