Description of Sussex chickens, maintenance and nutrition rules

The choice of poultry is influenced by characteristics such as the taste of meat and egg production. The Sussex is a breed of chicken that combines these qualities, and in addition, has a pretty appearance. This variety is famous not only for its long history, but also for its breeding achievements. Sussex became the basis for a large number of new chicken crosses, and in order to preserve the purity of the breed, an amateur club was even created in the UK.

History of the origin of the breed

Sussex chickens have been known for centuries, with descriptions of the birds found in ancient Roman records dating back more than 2,000 years. British farmers have been improving the appearance and characteristics of the breed for many years. Since 1903, there has been a special club in the country, which is focused on the preservation and improvement of Sussex chickens, which have become the hallmark of the county.

Sussex chickens were developed by crossing the following breeds:

• Dorking;
• Orpington;
• Cornish;
• light gate;
• white Cochin.

Sussex chickens were brought to Russia in 1961, becoming the basis for the domestic Adler Silver and Pervomayskaya breeds. The only difference between the birds was adaptation to the climate of the middle zone.

Purebred Sussexes are used mainly for crossbreeding.

Description and characteristics of Sussex chickens

The Sussex breed has the following characteristics:

• unpretentiousness of content;
• good immunity;
• medium-heavy weight chickens;
• early onset of oviposition;
• large egg size;
• average egg production 195 eggs per year;
• meat-egg direction of breeding.

Appearance and color

The appearance of Sussex chickens has certain features:

• wide, small skull;
• eyes are red or orange, may be speckled;
• red earrings are smooth and rounded;
• underdeveloped scarlet lobes fit tightly to the skull;
• a straight comb with an uneven surface consists of 4 or 5 teeth;
• light pink beak;
• the neck is of medium length and heavily feathered;
• the wide sternum is arched, but smooth;
• tightly pressed wings located high;
• The lushly feathered tail is wide at the base and raised upward;
• muscular paws of a light shade have stripes on the metatarsals;
• fingers are straight.

Plumage color options:

• Colombian;
• silver;
• calico;
• pale yellow;
• red;
• wild (brown).

White, porcelain and royal plumage are considered acceptable, but rare for Sussex..

Character of birds

Sussex chickens have a calm, balanced disposition, which makes it possible to keep the species together with other poultry. Accommodation affects the behavior of hens, who become caring mothers. The birds are so loyal that they can also hatch goose or turkey eggs. Chickens show friendliness towards humans and even roosters do not show aggression.

Productivity

Sussex chickens are a universal type of breeding, allowing you to get a sufficient amount of eggs and meat. By the age of about 3-4 months, chickens gain weight up to 1.5 kg. It is not necessary to slaughter poultry at this age, since the taste and texture of the meat do not deteriorate over time. Young hens begin to lay eggs at the age of six months. The productivity of the egg sector is up to 200 eggs per year. The average egg weight is 55-62 g.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Sussex breed has a number of important advantages:

• disease resistance;
• high chick survival rate;
• low maintenance requirements;
• high productivity of meat and eggs;
• balanced character;
• external attractiveness;
• quick adaptation to living conditions;
• loyalty to humans, birds and animals;
• Sexual differences in chickens are visible on the 2nd day.

Among the disadvantages of chickens are:

• lack of conscientious sellers of the breed;
• noisiness and loud voice;
• the need for a spacious poultry house and walking area.

Maintenance in private households

For a comfortable life this breed needs:

• spacious poultry house;
• walking yard;
• constant access to clean water;
• quality food.

What should a chicken coop be like?

Sussex chickens are large in size, so a small, cramped house is not suitable for the breed. On average, the size of the room is selected in the ratio of 1 square meter of floor per 4-5 birds. The building must be equipped to meet the following requirements:

• the temperature in winter should not fall below 10 °C;
• availability of ventilation;
• cement floor with fine metal mesh;
• bedding made of natural materials 10-15 cm thick;
• availability of natural and additional artificial lighting;
• perches at a height of half a meter at the rate of 0.3 m per bird;
• arrangement of nests measuring 0.3 x 0.4 m in the shaded part of the room, each of which is designed for 3 hens.

Walking yard

The place for walking must be made 2 or 3 times larger than the chicken coop so that the birds do not have to be crowded. The enclosure must have a high fence; a fine mesh is sufficient. Chickens should be able to walk daily, so it is better to equip part of the site with a canopy. In winter, access to the outdoors is also necessary for Sussexes.

Drinkers and feeders

Containers for water and food should be located both inside the poultry house and on the run. It is advisable to purchase special drinkers and feeders for birds so that water and food do not fall on the floor. Like other chicken breeds, Sussexes are sloppy when feeding, so it is better to use bunker-type containers.

Closed drinking bowls, as well as devices that supply water automatically, are well suited for water.

Planned herd replacement

Lifespan of chickens The Sussex breed is 10 years old.Gradually, egg-laying activity begins to decline, so the older population of chickens needs to be replaced. When raising a breed for meat, slaughter can begin after 70 days of the chickens’ life, when the weight reaches one and a half kilograms. Egg production of Sussex hens peaks at 1 year of age, so it is preferable to rotate the flock so that the majority of the birds are at peak production.

Seasonal molt

For chickens of this breed, the seasonal change of feathers results in significant stress. Birds lay fewer eggs and also lose vitality. An oversight or change in living conditions during this period leads to a deterioration in the condition of the chickens. During molting, it is recommended to supplement the birds’ diet with a vitamin and mineral complex.

Power Requirements

The diet of poultry must be balanced in such a way that the resulting substances are enough not only for a normal existence, but also for gaining weight in the carcass. It is recommended to select food for chickens according to the following scheme:

• 60% cereals;
• 30% vegetables;
• 10% greens and dairy products.

For proper digestion, birds also need crushed chalk, charcoal, and fine gravel..

Young animals

Newborn chickens require special nutrition; in the first days it is worth giving finely chopped eggs and grains. After a few days, you can gradually add compound feed to the young bird’s diet. Chicken food should contain the following products:

• millet;
• greenery;
• cottage cheese;
• boiled vegetables;
• fish fat;
• semolina;
• corn (not earlier than 60 days old).

Adults

When raising a large number of Sussex chickens, it is easier to use ready-made feed as food. Bird food should be based on grain proteins.To obtain calcium, it is recommended to add ground egg shells, shellfish shells, and bone meal to the feed. In summer, it is enough to feed free-range chickens once a day, in winter or in bad weather - 3 times.

Bird breeding

Sussexes have a well-expressed brooding instinct, so natural reproduction is considered the best option. For complete fertilization, it is necessary to gather a herd of 1 male per 5 females. The eggs can be placed in an incubator, but it is easier to leave them with the hen.

After the birth of the offspring, laying hens show care and do not lose their maternal instinct.

Diseases of the breed

Long-term selection of the breed allowed the Sussexes to acquire stable immunity to most poultry diseases. However, the danger may be:

1. Coccidiosis. Symptoms include weakness and bloody diarrhea. Treatment involves slaughtering sick individuals and treating the rest of the herd.
2. Mycoplasmosis. The disease is caused by a combination of humidity and ammonia in the absence of ventilation in the room. A symptom of the disease is a severe cough. Treatment is carried out by inoculating with a special vaccine.

Parasites such as lice, lice, roundworms and salmonella are also dangerous. To prevent infection, it is necessary to carry out preventive disinfection and disinsection of premises.