Key Characteristics

It is a docile, gentle, friendly and alert breed and makes a good broody. It is a good choice for the beginner. They prefer free range but cope with confinement.

History

• The Sussex breed that we know today dates from around 1900 though it existed and has been husbanded commercially for at least 50 years prior to that date.
• The original birds were probably speckled, red or brown and were shown in the first ever general poultry show in 1845 under the names ‘Surrey Fowl’ and ‘Old Sussex or Kent Fowl’.
• The Sussex was developed from the backyard fowl that roamed around the farms of Surrey, Kent and Sussex.
• The exhibition standard was established in 1902 with Red, Speckled and Light varieties recognised.
• The following year, in 1903, the Sussex Poultry Club was formed.
• Later followed the Silvers, the creation of Captain Duckworth in the 1930s and the Coronation created by Robert Whittington 
• During the first half of the 20th century before the advent of modern hybrids the Light Sussex and the Rhode Island Red were the most commercially important breeds and the Sussex has remained popular as a backyard breed.

Appearance

• The Sussex is a heavy soft feather breed.
• It has a broad flat back and has a stocky appearance. 
• Its tail should be at a 45 degree angle, it has red earlobes and dark orange or red eyes, but white skin and legs.
• The bantam is more numerous than the large fowl.
• Eight standard colour varieties exist- Light (the most popular), Speckled, Brown, Silver, White, Buff, Red and Coronation. Some varieties such as the Brown, Buff, Red and particularly the Silver, have become very rare.

Uses

Depending on the strain the Sussex should lay around 180 - 200 eggs in a year. Some exhibition strains are poor layers whilst some strains of lights may lay more than 250 eggs per year.

Breed Societies

Sussex Club