Sussex Chooks
A Rare Breed of British Origin
Buff Sussex pullet
One of the most well known and most attractive heritage breeds is the Light Sussex with their brilliant white plumage and their black ‘capes’ (lower left photograph). The colour pattern of the Light Sussex is called ‘Columbian’ in other breeds.
The Light Sussex is just one colour variety of these large and heavy birds. The Buff Sussex is golden brown (gold) instead of white (silver) and can be used for an autosexing mating. A Buff Sussex male over Light Sussex females yields orange pullet chicks and yellow male chicks. The orange coloured pullet chicks will turn out buff (sometimes not evenly coloured) and the yellow male chicks will look like a Light Sussex but not with the crisp white feathering that make the Light Sussex such an eye catching bird.
Red, Coronation and Speckled Sussex are popular colours as well and all Sussex fowls are excellent eating. Their laying is variable with the Red Sussex being a superior layer.
Light Sussex rooster
Speckled Sussex hen
