Scots Dumpy Sussex and Welsummer

Scots Dumpy is a very rare breed that I have been keeping since 1991. Bought hatching eggs from a breeder in Boston during the early 90’s. The breed comes from the Scottish Highlands and is very ancient. Some historians place its beginning in the first century. Its bones from the 11th century have been discovered. Its a unusual breed with extremely short legs. They should be between two and three inches long. Closer to the ground than dorkings. They have a deep rectangular body with lots of meat. I have the cuckoo variety. Also had the blacks and silver greys but they didnt lay as well. They fatten easy and mature early. They waddle as they walk like ducks because of the short legs. You must make sure their short bodies can reach the water bowl. Easy to catch since they cannot run. Good layers of tinted eggs. The meat is really fat and juicy like wyandottes. They go broody only ocassionally. Sussex was my great grandma’s favorite breed of chicken. In fact its the only breed she ever had. They are wonderful dual purpose chickens that lay as well as rhode island reds. They make excellent fryers and baking hens. Juicy tender meat with good flavor. The speckled variety is the most pure and tastes the best. The other varieties lay a few more eggs per year but you sacrifice meat quality. Sometimes a hen will set and makes a good mother. Cold weather doesnt affect their laying and they are calm birds. Grandma loved this breed because it worked well in town since it isnt noisy. Brought the flock with her when she moved from the farm. While in her nineties the hens were easy for her to manage. The breed comes from England and is still very popular in the United Kingdom. Sussex cocks weigh about nine pounds and the hens around 7. The scots dumpy weighs about one pound less. Welsummers lay a beautiful dark brown egg often with spots. They were my choice for a dark brown egg layer. Since they lay more and bigger eggs than marans and barnvelders. They also dont go broody as often. At farmer markets everyone loved my welsummer eggs. They are now very much in demand. The roosters weigh around six pounds and the hens near five pounds. Welsummers are docile beautiful birds comfortable around people they dont recognize. Mine lay extra large eggs and the hens are productive for three years. They originated in Holland. I always keep a light on in my hen house to get more eggs. Also the layers stay more calm.