auntielizzie Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 When I first bought Bessie and my other hybrid (Betty - Colombian Blacktail), the chap in the garden centre told me that he was sure Bessie was a pure breed Light Sussex rather than a hybrid. Being a newbie, I couldn't tell the difference; however, I am starting to wonder if he was right? Since I have had her she has had two big moults over the last two autums and then stopped laying until the new year. I was thinking maybe she was just not a very good layer, but as she's just started laying again in the last two weeks, I'm beginning to wonder as this sounds like how a pure breed behaves. She is a very attractive big bird although has never been broody as seems to be one of their traits. It doesn't matter to me either way whether she is a hybrid or a pure breed, but it would make some sense and just be interesting. Is there any other way of telling? She has white legs and amber eyes, very thick petticoats and is quite heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I think the only way of knowing for certain would be to know the exact parentage. But with hybrids, often the hen can be more like one parent than the other, so it is likely that Bessie just has far more of the Sussex characteristics. I've noticed that with speckledies - some of them are definitely hybrids, while others could be mistaken for pure breed marans with feathery feet and classic maran striped feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Hi, I have all hybrids but my light sussex looks like a pure breed too. She is massive with the biggest bloomers of all the girls and stopped laying in the autumn when she moulted and has started laying again 2 weeks ago too. I have had her now for over a year and she has always laid well and has never been broody. I also have a speckledy hybrid who is very pretty and has feathered feet and looks like a pure breed. She should come into lay in the next month or so I think its unlikely that you would be sold a pure breed commercially as they would want to charge the most they can. I think its probably more likely to be sold a hybrid and told its a pure breed than the other way around. She sounds lovely though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The Sussex hybrid that I had was a big bird too. All my hyrbrids have stopped laying for the winter, I have only ever found that my hybrids laid for their first winter. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The Sussex hybrid that I had was a big bird too. All my hyrbrids have stopped laying for the winter, I have only ever found that my hybrids laid for their first winter. Chrissie hope that is so with mine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I have Flora a light sussex hybrid. She has stopped laying for the winter and is a big girl with fluffy knickers. TBH you would probably have paid more for a pure breed. They are lovely hens though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The difference is very clear to those with experience of both. Could you post a pic? There are almost certainly a few of us on here that will know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
