Sussex
Also known as Speckled Sussex
Also known as: Speckled Sussex
Is the Sussex right for you? Take the Breed Matcher →About the Sussex
Sussex chickens are known for their distinctive speckled plumage, featuring a beautiful mix of colors including red, white, and black. They are friendly and social birds, making them excellent companions in a backyard setting. Sussex are also recognized for their docile temperament and adaptability to various environments. Their dual-purpose nature means they provide both a robust egg supply and good meat quality, making them a favorite among backyard keepers.
History
The Sussex breed originated in the southern regions of England, with roots tracing back to the 19th century. It was developed primarily for its utility as both a meat and egg producer, leading to its popularity in rural areas. Over time, Sussex chickens were exported around the world, contributing to the development of several other breeds.
Care tips
Sussex chickens are hardy and can adapt well to different climates, making them easy to keep. They thrive in spacious environments and enjoy foraging, so providing them with plenty of outdoor space is beneficial. While they are not typically broody, they do require access to a balanced diet to maintain good egg production.
Color varieties
Fun facts
- Sussex chickens were one of the first breeds to be recognized for producing consistent large brown eggs.
- They are known for their friendly nature, making them great for families and children.
- Sussex can have several color varieties, including red and white, with speckled being a popular choice.
- The breed contributed to the development of the popular modern broiler chicken due to its meat quality.
Keeping Sussex hens through the year
The Sussex is an old English breed from the county of Sussex. It was a farm and table bird for generations and is still one of the most popular backyard breeds in the UK. In the US, the Speckled Sussex is the variety most people know, with its mahogany feathers tipped in black and white. Light Sussex, white with a black neck and tail, is the classic in Britain. Red, Buff, Brown, Silver, White and Coronation also exist.
Ask Sussex keepers what they like and you hear the same thing. They are curious and friendly, and many hens follow you around the garden waiting to see what you dig up. They are confident without being bullies, which makes them easy to mix with other breeds.
Laying pattern
Good Sussex strains lay well, with cream to light brown eggs. They often keep laying through winter better than many heritage breeds. Like any hen they stop during the molt and slow with age, with the best years in the first two or three. Some Sussex hens go broody and make good mothers, though they are not as broody as Orpingtons or Silkies.
Speckles change over time
If you keep Speckled Sussex, the coat changes with each molt. Young birds often have fewer white tips, and the spotting gets bolder and more white as they age. Older hens can look much lighter than they did as pullets. It is the same bird, just a new set of feathers.
Space and climate
Sussex are medium-heavy birds and do well on standard large fowl space. They love to forage and do best with room to roam, but they cope with a run. They are cold-hardy. Their single combs are medium sized, so roosters can still get frostbite in deep cold. They are fine in moderate heat with shade. Speckled hens blend into leaf litter, which helps them hide from hawks.
Sussex in other breeds
The Light Sussex has long been used as a parent for crossbred layers because it carries the silver gene. Crossed with a red rooster, it produces chicks you can sex by color. Many modern hybrid layers trace back partly to that idea.
How they compare
The Dorking is an even older English breed from the same region, with five toes and a longer body. Sussex are generally better layers. If you are trying to understand the difference between the breed and its best-known variety, see Sussex vs Speckled Sussex. The Faverolles is another gentle, curious dual-purpose breed, but with a beard and feathered feet.
Where to get them
Speckled Sussex are sold by most US hatcheries. Light Sussex are easy to find in the UK and sold by some US hatcheries. Red, Coronation and others are mostly from breeders. In the UK there are many Sussex breeders and the breed is a regular at shows.
Common questions about Sussex chickens
Are Sussex chickens friendly?
Yes. They are one of the most people-friendly breeds and do well with kids.
What color eggs do Sussex chickens lay?
Cream to light brown, depending on the hen and the strain.
Do Speckled Sussex get more white as they age?
Yes. The white tips usually increase after each molt, so older birds look more speckled.
