Are you searching for a sweet, docile, and vibrant addition to your backyard flock? Look no further than the Speckled Sussex Chicken Breed! In this post, you will learn about all this speck-acular breed that brings beauty and personality to any chicken keeper’s backyard.
The Speckled Sussex holds a special place in my heart as this was the chicken breed I first started with. It is because of these sweet ladies that I fell in love with keeping chickens. I started my chicken keeping journey with 5 Speckled Sussex chicks from Cackle Hatchery after seeing their stunning speckled feathers. With their easy-going temperament, these chickens are a perfect breed for a beginner just starting out along with the experienced chicken keeper. I truly believe every chicken keeper should have one (or more!) in their flock.
In this post, you’ll learn about their endearing personality and temperament, explore their physical characteristics, egg production, health needs, find out where to purchase them, and hear about my personal experience raising these lovely chickens.
By the end of this post, you’ll understand why the Speckled Sussex chicken stands out as a top choice for backyard chicken keepers.
Speckled Sussex Temperament
My Speckled Sussex ladies are such a joy to have around. Their personalities are just so charming and friendly, that you can’t help but fall in love with them. These sweet chickens have a curious nature and are full of confidence and curiosity yet they are still docile birds. They make a good forager and are always on an adventure, exploring every nook and cranny of the chicken yard while I’m doing my chores. And let me tell you, they’re not shy about letting me know what they think! They love telling me all about their daily adventures.
Whenever I have guests over who want to meet my chickens, I make sure to introduce them to one of my Speckled ladies first. They are the perfect hosts with their easy-going nature as they are so calm and trusting. Especially with people who’ve never pet a chicken before. Friends that haven’t been around chickens before are always surprised by how friendly birds can be. Whenever I’m down with my chicks I can always count on one of my Speckled ladies following me around, curious to see what’s going on or craving some attention. Chicki, in particular, has a habit of knocking other chickens out of my lap just so she can steal the spotlight!
If I had to sum up the Speckled Sussex’s personality, it would have to be sweet but spicy. Sure, they’re known for their docile nature, which makes them great for first time chicken keepers and families, but they’ve also got this feisty side to them that’s so fun to have around. They are incredibly social and thrive on human interaction, always eager for cuddles and lap sits. Raising Speckled Sussex hens has been an absolute joy!
They truly are a good choice for anyone looking for some sweet and beautiful birds.
It’s important to remember that every chicken has their personality and even a docile chicken breed may not turn into a lap chicken, and that’s ok! 4 out of my 15 chickens don’t ask to be picked up like the others, even though they are the same breeds and were all raised the same way. They are all still friendly, allow me to pick them up if I need to, and enjoy being around me. They just aren’t all about the cuddles like their flock mates.
To learn how to raise friendly chickens, check out my friendly chicken raising tips!
My Experience with a Speckled Sussex Rooster
One of my 5 original Speckled Sussex pullets named Henni(fer) turned out to be a rooster. I know, go figure with that name! I was a first time chicken keeper and this was my first time ever interacting with a rooster.
Henni was the sweetest little chick, always up for attention, even before the ladies wanted to hang out with me. I was so nervous about handling a rooster after reading online story after story about people getting ‘attacked’ by their roosters.
When his rooster instincts kicked in full force (or Roobertery as some call it!) he started ‘suddenly’ biting me whenever I was around my hens. This being my first time with chickens, started to make me more and more hesitant to handle him. I searched for countless hours about how to work with him, only finding dominating tactics I didn’t feel comfortable with. I knew from working with horses that using dominating behaviors don’t work with animals. It might subdue their reactions, but it actually makes them more dangerous to work with as you never know when they will explode.
At a loss at how to work with him, I ended up giving him to a friend who has a farm with plenty of other chickens he could hang out with and be in more of a farm setting.
If I had gotten Henni as a more experienced chicken keeper as I am now, I do think things would of been different. I’ve learned so much about how to work roosters and understand them that I’ve been able to apply to my current Orpington rooster, Butter.
All this to say, the Speckled Sussex is known to be a docile rooster, however, with all roosters, knowing how to work with them can make all the difference. I wish I had found the following resources when I first discovered I had a rooster.
How to Work with Your Rooster | Resources
I’d highly recommend checking out the following resources:
- Read my post on how to build a relationship with your rooster
- Watch the Roovolution YouTube video on Rooster behavior
- Check out the Rooster Allies Home Base Facebook page for lots of Rooster articles and resources
- Join the Rooster Allies Facebook group
- The people who run Roovolution will even give you a free consultation on working with your roosters
Speckled Sussex Size and Physical Characteristics
The Speckled Sussex breed is considered a english class, dual-purpose breed. Hens typically weigh around 7 pounds and roosters reaching approximately 9 pounds. I have found though that my hens however are more around the 5-6 pound range.
Plumage: Known for their striking appearance, they have mahogany-colored feathers with beautiful white speckles. This distinctive coloration gives them a unique and eye-catching look. As these chickens molt, their gorgeous white speckles become even more prominent.
Color Varieties of Sussex Chicken: There are three distinct colors recognized by the American Poultry Association according to the Livestock Conservancy for the Sussex chicken. The Speckled Sussex, red Sussex, and light Sussex.
Comb and Wattles: Speckled Sussex chickens typically have a single red comb with modest-sized wattles.
Skin and Ears: They have white skin with red earlobes.
Speckled Sussex Eggs
When it comes to egg production, Speckled Sussex chickens are reliable layers, typically producing around 220/year.
They lay light brown eggs, and as you can see with mine they have some variation. They really are some beautiful eggs!
Lifespan and Health
With great care and attention, the Speckled Sussex chickens can live for 8-10 years or even longer. Ensuring their health and well-being involves providing a balanced diet of layer feed, access to grit and oyster shell, fresh water, and a clean living environment free from predators and disease.
Like all chicken breeds, Speckled Sussex chickens are susceptible to certain health issues, including parasites and worms, respiratory infections, bumble foot, and reproductive disorders. However, with proper care and preventive measures, such as regular coop cleaning and parasite control, many health problems can be avoided or managed effectively.
Caring for Your Sussex Chickens
To keep your Speckled Sussex chickens happy and healthy, provide them with plenty of space to roam and forage. Ensure they have opportunities for dust bathing and social interaction, just as you would with any chicken breed. There’s no special care needed beyond what you would provide for your standard chickens.
One of my Speckled Sussex hens was hit the hardest during a bout of Fowl Pox in my flock. After bringing her inside and giving her some TLC and meds, she made a full recovery and was back out in no time.
Speckled Sussex Heat and Cold Tolerance
Because of their comb and wattle size they will be hardy in the cold temperatures. Another thing to keep an eye on in the cold weather is frost bite on their combs and wattles, especially the roosters.
As for the heat, I’ve found mine to do OK. We typically have temperatures year round in the 80’s with very high humidity. I make sure to give them plenty of shade, cool water, and fans.
As with any chicken, monitor their behavior and appearance closely for any signs of illness or distress. Intervene promptly if necessary to ensure quick treatment and recovery.
Is this Chicken Right for You?
If you already have a flock, make sure that you add the Speckled Sussex into a flock of other docile chicken breeds. Because they are so docile, they could get bullied by other dominant breeds.
Being that my Speckled Sussex ladies were the first in my flock, they are the dominant breed over my Australorps, Orpingtons, Legbars, and my Bielefelder.
Speckled Sussex Chickens for Sale
If you’re ready to add Speckled Sussex chickens to your flock, there are several reputable hatcheries and breeders where you can find them. I ordered my Speckled Sussex chicks from Cackle Hatchery. My baby chicks all arrived healthy and continue to be to this day.
If you are looking for the Light Sussex chicken then check out GreenFire Farms. I hope to add some Light Sussex chickens to my flock one day!
If you live in Puerto Rico like I do and want to get this breed locally, check out Gallinas Urbanas farm located in Guaynabo.
I’ve not found where to buy the Red Sussex chickens in the United States. If you know of any hatcheries that offer the red Sussex, please send me a message or let me know down below in the comments!
[RELATED: My Experience with Buying and Shipping Chicks]
Speckled Sussex Q. & A.
Have a question on the Speckled Sussex? Leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer!
Are Speckled Sussex Friendly?
An astounding yes! These lovely chickens follow me all around the yard, always trying to ‘help’ with whatever I’m doing. They are always up for pick-ups and some lap cuddles.
What color do Speckled Sussex Lay?
They lay brown eggs. The eggs I receive from my ladies have slight tint variations.
How is the Speckled Sussex Egg Production?
You should expect around 220 a year. My ladies lay about 4-6 eggs a week.
Are Speckled Sussex Chickens Broody?
They can become broody. Personally, none of my Speckled Sussex ladies have gone broody. In comparison, my Orpingtons have tried countless times (just in their first year!).
What Are the Sussex Chicken Colors?
The American Poultry Association has only accepted the Speckled Sussex, Red Sussex, and Light Sussex. The American Sussex Association however also includes the Buff Sussex, Coronation Sussex, and the Silver Sussex. Sadly it doesn’t seem like the American Sussex Association is currently active, however they do have pictures of some of the colors on their site.
Do you have a Sussex chicken or have a question about owning them? Let me know down below in the comments!
Want to see more of the Speckled ladies? Follow us on YouTube and Instagram!
The Speckled Sussex chicken is a colorful and charming breed that brings joy and beauty to any backyard flock. With their friendly personality, striking appearance, and reliable egg production, Speckled Sussex chickens are an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced chicken keepers alike. I hope you consider adding these sweet birds to your flock and experience the joy of keeping Speckled Sussex chickens!
{RELATED: THE BUFF ORPINGTON CHICKEN BREED – ALL ABOUT THIS SWEET AND DOCILE CHICKEN}
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Hi there! I’m Jess, a backyard chicken keeper living on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. With my flock of 15 friendly chickens, my mission is to help others feel confident about raising happy, healthy, and super friendly chickens. My dream is that everyone gets to know the love of a chicken and experience the joy they bring to your life.
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