The Speckled Sussex is an old-time favorite in its homeland of England. It has endured over the centuries to become a firm favorite with a dedicated following.
Although it, and other varieties of Sussex fowl, was in danger of dying out in the early 1900s, a few die-hard poultry keepers kept the lines going, greatly improving on the stock in hand to give us the robust, healthy stock that we have today. Read Article
Cookie is my silkie bantam with special needs. Her toenails, of all things, grow and grow to the point where they interfere with her walking. Crazy! Once a month I wrap her in a towel, lay her in my lap on her back, and cut them with bird nail clippers.
Excessive nail growth is not all that uncommon when birds are kept on soft bedding such as shavings or sand, but Cookie is free roam. She scratches around in crushed granite and dirt all day like everyone else in the flock. I have no explanation for her absurd nail growth. But if left unattended, she’d have her very own desert snow skis, so we deal with it.
I use bird nail clippers, and Kwik Stop (Styptic Powder) which stops bleeding just in case one is cut too short. This is a powder that you apply to the nail if it’s bleeding and it will stop immediately.
If this happens, pack the powder on the end of the nail and apply pressure. Most important, don’t panic, just do your best, and if you make a mistake and cut one too short… well, that’s what styptic powder is for! Both items are available on Amazon or at your local pet/feed store.
Cochin chickens are known for their soft feathers and fluffy robust appearance. They have a round body, long silky plumage, feathered feet, and a single comb. They lay a fair number of brown or tinted small to medium eggs. You can expect approximately 2 eggs per week.
This breed may not be a prolific layer, but are still quite worthy for their broody tendencies, and their stunning appearance of course! They’re often used to hatch fertile eggs from other birds, however, don’t be in a big hurry, the Cochin is very slow to mature.
If your looking for a docile, peaceful, friendly, and easily-handled breed, this buxom beauty is for you. I find Cochins don’t fancy scratching around in the dirt as much as most other breeds. They are also not a fan of high perches. They prefer free roam but confine quite well.
They’re considered a heavy breed weighing in at about 11 lbs for roosters, and 8 to 8.5 lbs. for hens.
Bantams: A hen will be just under 2 lbs. and the rooster, about 2 lbs.
The Cochin chicken breed arrived on the shores of Britain and America from the port of Shanghai, China in the mid-1800s. This fancy breed has a wide variety of colorful outfits, in buff, white, black, blue, partridge, and cuckoo.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 