Sussex
Dual purposeEnglandBeginner friendly
The Sussex has been feeding England since before there was an England to speak of, with roots often traced to Roman-era Britain. The Speckled variety is a backyard favorite — a mahogany hen splashed with white who follows her keeper around the garden like a small, opinionated dog.
Eggs per year
200–250
Egg color
Light brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Curious and gentle
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
A Speckled Sussex gains more white speckling with every molt, so the older the hen, the fancier she looks.
Sussex egg production
Expect roughly 200–250 light brown eggs a year from a Sussex in her prime — about 4–5 a week, or 17–21 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Sussex is generally described as curious and gentle. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Sussex rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Sussexhen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Sussex hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Sussex right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Sussex FAQ
- How many eggs do Sussex chickens lay?
- A healthy Sussex hen lays about 200–250 light brown eggs a year — roughly 4–5 a week, or 17–21 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Sussexs lay?
- Sussexs lay light brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Sussex chickens get?
- A Sussex hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Sussexs cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Sussex is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Sussexs good for beginners?
- Yes. The Sussex is a forgiving, curious and gentle breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Sussex hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Sussex hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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