Speckles Sussex and Plymouth Rocks good or bad?

[richchicks]

TSC only got in these two breeds this week? Was so looking forward to getting some new babies today

However, these are not the breeds I had in mind, BUT willing to try if they are friendly, calm, good egg layers, etc....

Anyone have these and would like to share your experience? Comments appreciated!

 

[speckledhen]

Well, considering they are hatchery stock, you may not get a bird with the advertised traits of the breed. I have had Speckled Sussex from a breeder and she was a good hen, though laid small eggs; also had a few from a hatchery and will never have those again. They are not hardy in the least; or at least, the ones I did get either did not thrive or had to be put down early on for serious crop issues, something I had never seen in a chick until then.

I love my Plymouth Rocks-have had both hatchery stock, descendents of hatchery stock and show quality breeder stock and love them all, but some strains of hatchery birds can be a little less friendly than the breed trait you expect in a Rock. Rocks are my favorite breed. They are super layers, friendly birds, though they are not pushovers in the flock by any means. My Sussex wasn't really skittish, but not overly friendly either.

 

[mkcolls]

We have 6 Speckled Sussex (SS), that are hatchery stock and we are sad that we do not have more. They are great foragers, consistent egg layers, friendly and always busy. The only negative for us is that we didn't get a Roo for our hens. We want more.

 

[speckledhen]

And there you have it, two widely varying experiences with hatchery stock. Mine were awful, hers were good. You just never know what you'll get unless you get them from a good breeder who has the actual breed, not a general facsimile.

 

[highpointfarm]

I bought 3 SS and 3 PR at tractor supply last spring.... they are amazing birds, very healthy, very docile, and rather good egg layers... would definitely recommend these to you... we only have 2 SS now but only because we ended up with 2 roos.....

 

[highpointfarm]

Those are them in my Avatar.