The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: nimbusllama on January 06, 2015, 07:57:53 am
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Anyone got a show quality Speckled Sussex cockerel for sale? Preferably on the dark side as my hens have quite a lot of white, and not too far from Nottinghamshire.... thanks
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It's quite a specific need so have a look on Preloved or maybe even contact the breed society to find local breeders. Some may be hanging onto spare cockerels as insurance through the winter but soon looking to clear them before breeding season.
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Many thanks.... I have already tried Preloved and found as you state, someone who might have one available when he has made up his breeding pens. I have not however tried the breed society, that is a good idea thanks. :)
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Hi,
My experience speckled sussex change in colour as they get older, more white.
I would also suggest get as many cockerals as you can handle
We got through 3 cockerals before we found one that produced a quality chick.
We sell our show stock hens at 8 weeks for £38
We don't sell the cocks otherwise we would then have competition
Sussex breeding is stressful
20% don't hatch
40% cocks
20% mortality
20% hens
Sussex and Marans are about the same mortality rates,
our legbars are less than 5% mortality and below 10% unhatched
If we didn't have a waiting list for the Sussex and Marans I'd have given up by now.
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Hi there
Thanks for the useful advice.... having spoken to the Sussex Society lady I have decided to leave breeding until next year as my 2 POL hens are still immature and I can show them this year if they are not in a breeding pen.
I will be on the look out for a cockerel in a years time. :)