speckled sussex chicken

The Sussex breed of chickens was developed in England, in the county of Sussex, of course! Before the development of the Sussex, as it is known today,  its lineage is thought to go back to the Roman invasion of England. Sussex and the surrounding countries get the credit for developing and maintaining various modern dual-purpose breeds, including Darks Brahmas and Orpingtons. English poultry breeders sought to create ideal dual-purpose chickens that matured quickly into sizable birds and were excellent for egg production. Breeding these birds made it possible for chickens to become a sustainable food source, thus increasing the demand that led to the broiler breeding and production that boomed in the 1940s and ’50s.

The Sussex chicken first arrived in America in 1912 and is recognized by the American Poultry Association in 3 colors: Speckled, Light, and Red. Through the years, breeders have developed additional colors such as White, Coronation, Buff, and Silver, and bantam Sussex chickens.

The Speckled Sussex is a nearly ideal choice for any homestead or family flock. You can count on steady production of brown eggs, an active forager, excellent mothering skills, and a friendly greeting whenever you spend time with your flock.