Breed of chickens Sussex: description and characteristics, rules of keeping, diet

The choice of poultry is influenced by characteristics such as meat flavor and egg production. Sussex is a breed of chicken that combines these qualities, and in addition, it has a pretty appearance. This variety is famous not only for a long history, but also for breeding achievements. Sussex has become the basis of a large number of new crosses of chickens, 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

Chickens from Sussex have been known for centuries, the description of birds is found in the records of Ancient Rome over 2000 years old.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 chickens from Sussex, which have become the hallmark of the county.

Sussex chickens were bred by crossing the following breeds:

• dorking;
• orpington;
• cornish;
• bright brama;
• white cochinchin.

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

Purebred Sussexes are used primarily for crossbreeding.

Description and characteristics of Sussex chickens

The Sussex breed has the following features:

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

Appearance and coloration

The appearance of Sussex chickens has certain features:

• skull wide small size;
• eyes red or orange, may be speckled;
• red earrings are smooth and rounded;
• underdeveloped scarlet lobes fit snugly against the skull;
• straight comb with uneven surface, 4 or 5 teeth;
• light pink beak;
• medium neck strongly feathered;
• wide sternum arched but smooth;
• tightly pressed wings set high;
• luxuriously feathered tail wide at the base and raised up;
• muscular paws of a light shade have stripes on the metatarsus;
• fingers are even.

Plumage color options:

• Colombian;
• silver;
• calico;
• fawn;
• red;
• wild (brown).

White, china and king plumage is acceptable but rare in Sussex.

Bird Character

Sussex chickens have a calm, balanced disposition, which allows you to keep the species together with other poultry.Liveliness affects the behavior of hens, which become caring mothers. The birds are so loyal that they can also incubate goose or turkey eggs. Chickens show human friendliness and even roosters do not show aggression.

Productivity

Sussex chickens are a universal type of breeding, allowing you to get enough 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 structure of the meat do not deteriorate with time. Young hens begin to lay eggs at the age of six months. The productivity of the egg direction is up to 200 pieces 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;
• loy alty to man, bird and animals;
• sex differences in chickens are visible on the 2nd day.

Among the disadvantages of chickens are:

• lack of conscientious sellers of the breed;
• noisy and loud voice;
• need for a spacious house and run area.

Private maintenance

For a comfortable life this breed needs:

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

What should be the chicken coop

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

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

Playing yard

A place for walking should be made 2 or 3 times larger than the chicken coop so that the bird does not have to crowd. The aviary must have a high fence, a fine mesh is enough. 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 street for the Sussexes is also required.

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 bird feeders so that water and food do not fall on the floor. Like other breeds of chickens, Sussexes are sloppy during feeding, so it is better to use bunker-type containers.

Closed drinkers are good for water, as well as devices that supply water automatically.

Planned herd replacement

The life expectancy of Sussex chickens is 10 years. Gradually, the activity of laying eggs begins to decline, so the age population of chickens needs to be replaced. When growing breeds for meat, slaughter can begin after 70 days of chicken 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 most of the birds are at the maximum production stage.

Seasonal molt

For chickens of this breed, the seasonal change of feather turns into a significant stress. Birds lay fewer eggs and also lose vitality. Oversight or change in conditions of detention during this period leads to a deterioration in the condition of chickens. During molting, it is recommended to supplement the nutrition of birds with a vitamin-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 carcass weight. Food for chickens is recommended to be selected according to the following scheme:

• 60% cereal;
• 30% vegetables;
• 10% greens and dairy.

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

Young

Newborn chickens require special nutrition, the first days should be given finely chopped eggs and grains. After a few days, you can gradually add feed for young birds to the diet. Chickens should eat foods such as:

• millet;
• greens;
• cottage cheese;
• boiled vegetables;
• fish oil;
• semolina;
• corn (not before 60 days of age).

Adults

Growing a large number of Sussex chickens, it is easier to use ready-made feed as food. Bird food should be based on cereal proteins. To obtain calcium, it is recommended to add ground egg shells, mollusk shells, and bone meal to the feed. In summer, free-range chickens are enough to feed 1 time per day, in winter or in bad weather - 3 times.

Bird breeding

Sussexes have a well-defined brooding instinct, so natural reproduction is considered the best option. For full-fledged fertilization, it is necessary to collect a herd at the rate of 1 male for 5 females. Eggs can be placed in an incubator, but it is easier to leave with a hen.

After the appearance of offspring, laying hens take 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, they may be dangerous:

1. Coccidiosis. Symptoms included weakness and bloody diarrhea. Treatment involves slaughtering diseased 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 inoculation of a special vaccine.

Danger is also caused by parasites such as lice, downy eaters, roundworms and salmonella. To prevent infection, it is necessary to carry out preventive disinfection and disinsection of premises.

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