The Speckled Sussex is a solid dual-purpose breed hailing from Sussex, England. They are docile, friendly chickens and are a wonderful breed for families and first-time chicken owners. They produce 4-5 brown eggs per week and can also be raised for meat.
The unique feathering of the Speckled Sussex creates a camouflage that hides them from predators when out in the open. This makes them a great breed for free ranging.
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Speckled Sussex Chicken Breed Quick Info
Speckled Sussex Chicken Description
| Speckled Sussex Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Reddish-brown with white and black tips |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | White |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Speckled Sussex Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Speckled Sussex Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Speckled Sussex breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “recovering” status |
Speckled Sussex Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Speckled Sussex Temperament: | Calm, gentle |
| Speckled Sussex Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Speckled Sussex Egg Production
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 150-220 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | High |
Speckled Sussex Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 6 ¼ lbs. |
| Dressed Weight Female | 5 lbs. |
Speckled Sussex Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Good |
Speckled Sussex Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 20 Weeks |
Speckled Sussex Size at Maturity
| Male | 9 lbs. |
| Female | 7 lbs. |
Origins of the Speckled Sussex Chicken
This bird has been around for a long time. The Speckled Sussex was named after the county where it originated- Sussex County, England. There is evidence from Roman writings from as early as AD 43 that there were similar chickens in England centuries ago.
During the Victorian era, the breed was raised in Sussex County specifically for meat. This continued through World War 2. Today, they are used primarily as dual-purpose chicken.
Some Things to Know About the Speckled Sussex Chicken
The Speckled Sussex is an ideal dual-purpose breed due to its long, wide body. They have a beautiful feather pattern - the base is a reddish-brown, and each feather is tipped with an iridescent black bar and white edge. This unique pattern makes them popular show birds.
How Easy is it to Keep Speckled Sussex Chickens?
This is a good breed for first-time chicken owners because of its gentle, calm nature. They are affectionate with people and will be at the bottom of the pecking order in your flock.
One thing to be aware of, though, is their tendency to go broody. This is good news if you plan on raising chicks. But if not, be sure to collect eggs on a daily basis, and don’t be afraid to move hens that sit too long in one spot to check if they’re sitting on eggs.
Special Care and Considerations for Speckled Sussex Chickens
They are cold hardy, friendly and curious. They are easy to care for and are not prone to any major diseases. The only thing to be aware of is the pecking order. Because of their gentle, submissive nature, they will be low in the pecking order and may be chased away from food by more dominant birds in your flock. One way to solve this is to create two or more feeding areas.
They tend to go broody and make excellent mothers when left to hatch chicks on their own. If you choose to add Speckled Sussex hens to your flock and plan to collect their eggs, be sure to move hens that sit in one spot for too long to check for eggs.
