Everything About The Classic Sussex Chicken Breed
You gotta love chickens, and in the whole chicken verse, the Sussex Chicken Breed is pretty awesome. They’re pretty chill, pop out eggs like no one’s business, and roam around for ages.
Sussex are based in England many years ago, probably in the earlier phase of the 19th century. Till then the appeal it had created 100 decades ago, remained the same.
In this article, we’ll get to know the Sussex crew. There’s a lot more to these chickens than just being bird-brained! So get ready to get clucked up on everything about Sussex chicken.
Table of Contents
Sussex Chicken Breed in A Nutshell
Before jumping into an in-depth discussion, here’s a sneak peek of the Sussex chickens. You’ll find all the essential information here shortly.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gallus gallus domesticus |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Origin | Sussex, England |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Subspecies | Gallus gallus domesticus |
| Varieties | Light, Red, Speckled, Coronation, Silver, Buff, Brown |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose (meat and eggs) |
| Distribution | Worldwide |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years |
| Adaptability | Hardy, heat and cold tolerant |
History, Origin, And Timeframe of the Sussex Chickens
The Sussex chicken is an old breed that originally comes from the county of Sussex in southern England. These chickens have been around for a super long time, since at least the early 1800s or maybe even earlier.
No one knows exactly when Sussex chickens first showed up. But we do know they’ve been on English farms for a long time. Hundreds of years ago, farmers loved Sussex chickens. Why? Because they were laid back and laid lots of eggs. Their meat tasted great too.
Sussex chickens did well in all kinds of weather. They could handle different climates and their physical toughness made them popular on small farms.
Today, Sussex chickens are still favorites for backyards and pets. They’re old-fashioned chickens that have been around for generations. Even after all this time, Sussex chickens are still a chicken breed that is kind of a timeless classic.
Personality Assessment of Sussex Chicken
Want a buddy who is chill and sweet? Then the Sussex chicken is for you. They don’t get worked up or cause drama. Nope, Sussexes like to spend their time wandering the yard or napping under trees.
You’d never guess it from their size, but Sussex chickens are total softies. They get along great with other chickens and people. Sussex hens can be very nurturing too.
Sometimes their mothering instincts kick in and they get broody. It’s cute to see them care for baby chicks!
To learn more about the lighter variant of this classic chicken breed, you can watch this YouTube video.
Sussex Chickens are Elegant in Terms of Appearance
The reddish-brown tails and colorful appearance are cult classics, according to me. Let’s take a look at what a rooster and a Sussex hens look like.
Male Sussex
Roosters look regal with big, bushy reddish-brown tails. They have tall red combs and colorful feathers in browns, grays, and buffs. Sussex males are muscular with a sturdy stance.
Female Sussex
Hens move gracefully with delicate feathers in reddish-brown, beige, and gray. They have small combs and reddish eyes. Sussex females are refined and elegant.
Sussex Chicks
Chicks are fuzzy little balls of fluff. They have stripes and spots in dark and light brown. Their tiny beaks are dark. Baby Sussex chicks are unsteady on their feet at first. As they grow, their colorful speckled feathers start to come in.
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Breeding And Reproduction of Sussex Chicken Breed
When it comes to making babies, Sussex chickens like to keep it classy.
When Do Sussex Chickens Mate?
They like to breed when it’s warm and sunny. The nice weather makes them want to have baby chicks.
Anyway, Sussex hens aren’t very motherly. But they often get broody in the spring and summer.
How Much Does a Sussex Chicken Lay Per Year?
For laying eggs, Sussex hens are crazy consistent. Each hen pops out 4-6 eggs per week, which comes out to around 180 – 250 eggs every year. That’s a lot of scrambled eggs and omelets! Not too shabby.
Overall, Sussex chickens aren’t the craziest or most productive breed. But their decent egg numbers and occasional breeding habits add a nice variety to their raising experience.
For What Purpose Sussex Chicken Breed is Best?
Sussex chickens are awesome for eggs and company. They’re laid-back, easygoing birds that keep it simple in your backyard. If you want fresh eggs and chill vibes, Sussex chickens are the way to go!
Egg Production
For laying eggs, Sussex hens are pretty solid. They start pumping out large, light pink eggs around 8 months old.
A single Sussex hen can lay 180-250 of those delicious eggs every year. Not as many as champs like Leghorns, but still decent.
Meat production
Now let’s talk meat. Sussex chickens get big, with hens hitting 7 pounds and roosters 9. That’s some good eatin’ size! Their meat is a primo grade with a flavor and texture people love. Some say Sussex chicken dinners beat out fancy breeds like Dorkings.
While not egg or meat superstars, Sussex chickens do both well with their large size and steady laying. For homesteaders who want a classic dual-purpose breed, you can’t go wrong with the Sussex!
How Suitable Sussex Chicken Breeds Are for Backyard? Perfect!
Sussex chickens can make awesome backyard birds. But their large size means you gotta plan for some extra considerations.
- Diet and Food: Food-wise, these chickens aren’t too picky. They’ll chow down standard feed plus enjoy snacks like bugs, weeds, and treats. No fancy meals are needed for the Sussex crew.
- Proper Spacing: Space is important for these big chickens. Inside the coop, each Sussex will need around 8-10 square feet of living space. And in the outdoor run, give 10+ square feet per chicken so they can really stretch their legs.
- Temperature-wise: Sussexes handle heat and cold like champs thanks to their hearty heritage. Some extra shade in the summer keeps them comfy.
- Personality-wise: Sussex chickens are chill backyard pets, as I said before. Just take it easy on the treats so they don’t get too plump!
The main drawbacks are their large poops and increased feed needs. Their light feathers also need occasional washing.
Overall, Sussex chickens make pleasant pets and productive backyard birds when given adequate space, food, and TLC.
Are Sussex Chicken Breed Worth It For Business?
In short, yes! Even if you’re from a cold zone in North America, Sussex will still be fitted there. Let’s take a quick but effective look to favor the answer.
First, take a look at the business aspects.
- Decent egg production at 180-250 eggs per hen annually
- Good meat yield at 5-7 lbs dressed weight for hens, 8-10 lbs for roosters.
Now, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in June 2023, the per dozen chicken egg price is $4.
New York Times too, published an article on why egg prices fluctuate in different regions in America. However, the main thing is, that egg is an expensive and in-demand food product. Here’s my in-depth analysis of the egg business revenue.
Potential Income Analysis (Estimated)
Let’s calculate the egg income potential.
- 250 eggs per hen x $4 retail price per dozen = $83/hen annually
- For a flock of 50 hens, 50 x $83 = $4,150 gross egg income
Let’s take a look at meat income potential.
- 5 lb dressed weight x $4/lb retail price = $20 per Sussex broiler
- With 500 Sussex broilers annually, 500 x $20 = $10,000 gross meat income
Cost Comparison
To buy Sussex chicks, the cost will be as follows.
- $5 per chick
- So, $250 for 50 hens
- $500 for 100 roosters
Total cost: ($500+$250) = $750
For feeding,
- 5 lbs feed per hen monthly x 50 hens x 12 months = 3,000 lbs annually
- $0.40/lb = $1,200 (per year)
For housing, let the cost in between $2000 and $2500.
So, theoretically, the income is far better than the spending. The total cost you’re spending is around $4000, whereas you can earn approximately $14k per annum! Who won’t call it a legitimate business having 3 times better gross collection?
Recommended Readings:
- How To Successfully Breed Blue Isbar Chickens
- Guide to Raising Cinnamon Queen Chicken Breed
- Brown Leghorn Egg Laying Chicken
Outro
The Sussex Chicken Breed is a real classic. For a long time, people have loved this mellow bird from England. These chickens are easygoing pets and steady egg layers perfect for small farms. Their handsome looks and chill personality make them backyard superstars.
Whether raising them for eggs, meat, or companionship, Sussex chickens are great. All in all, if you want a business with a classy vintage chicken breed, Sussex won’t disappoint you. They’ll lay, they’ll provide meat for the dining, and they’ll be a good backyard bird as well!
