Sasso Hens?

[nribs]

Does anyone on here have any experience with Sasso Hens?, I'm about to as you are probably aware if you have read any of my previous threads regarding which chickens to get get my first chickens within the next 0 days, I'm getting a couple of Sussex buffs and a Black Rock and perhaps a Sasso (if not another black rock) I was wondering if anyone knew how many eggs a Sasso would lay in an average year? are they good for the back garden?

Am i excited?

Yes indeed!!!!

[Flummery]

I thought a sasso was a meat bird? Therefore not the best bet for laying.

[nribs]

I thought a sasso was a meat bird? Therefore not the best bet for laying.

I think you may be correct, I have googled the breed and the main searches seem to be talk about a meat bird, I wasn't sure if it was a dual purpose bird or not?

[Flummery]

I don't think so. I'm sure one of the experts will let us know for sure but I got the impression that they are the sort that put weight on very fast and are ready to eat in a few months. I think birds like this are too bulky to lay well.

[nribs]

I don't think so. I'm sure one of the experts will let us know for sure but I got the impression that they are the sort that put weight on very fast and are ready to eat in a few months. I think birds like this are too bulky to lay well.

Hmm thanks, looks likely it will be 2 Sussex Buffs and 2 Black Rocks

[Flummery]

That's what I'd do - I'd be a wuss when it came to killing a bird to eat.

[RedThorn]

They must lay otherwise you would not be able to continue with the breed(I believe it's a breed in it's own right rahter than a cross), however, if you're happy to have fewer eggs from her than the other girls... well that's your choice. I hope someone with more exp and knowledge comes along soon.

[Snadger]

From what I've read, Sasso's put on weight so fast that their legs can't stand the weight and they buckle.
A breed like this has to be 'man made' surely? This has to be the battery hen version of a meat bird!

[Bramble-Poultry]

sasso's are derived from RIR stock. they are a hybrid designed to pile on the weight, but not as quickly as the ross cobb which is your traditional meat broiler that cant walk after about 6 weeks.

The term sasso describes one of several strains developed in France and now over here. They grow a bit slower and therefore are good for producing free range broilers. They can reach slaugher weight in as little as 12 weeks, but if free ranging and allowed to walk off some weight they can go as far as 20 weeks before they need to be slaughtered. and i mean need to be slaughtered as they have physical diffculty in walking after that point.

so snadge, you are right in as much as they are a hybrid, but the bird you are talking about is the ross cobb, a white bird that piles on the weight. THe sasso is a red coloured bird, very much like its RIR ancestors. The cobb is traditionally preferred as well as the white feathers dont leave big brown pin feathers like a dark coloured bird, which therefore makes them more appealing to the punter

A colleague at work managed to get one to 39 weeks by restricting the diet, keeping it on chick crumb a couple of weeks longer and making it have plenty of free range space. It did eventually lay an egg or two. his goal next year is to rear them on straights (especially oats which are a low calorie grain compared to others) and perhaps cross back to a RIR to water down the meat genes and that way perhaps have a more natural meat bird, slower growing.

[matthew2riches]

I have tried incubating Sasso eggs from Smart Chicks but they were damaged badly in the post - after 5 days in the incy they smelt rotten. Lady didn't seem too happy to help either :-(

I was going to use them for meat. I didn't try again as I wan't happy about loosing £15 odd quid!

[moola]

m2R - try poulet anglais. they deliver to Suffolk every fortnight - around 3-4000 chicks - if you have a min order of at least 25 they are usually happy to drop off. I've used them quite a few times and everything has been really very good. 2 day old chicks - nice strong and healthy. Various types offered.

[matthew2riches]

m2R - try poulet anglais. they deliver to Suffolk every fortnight - around 3-4000 chicks - if you have a min order of at least 25 they are usually happy to drop off. I've used them quite a few times and everything has been really very good. 2 day old chicks - nice strong and healthy. Various types offered.

Now that sounds good. I have looked at the PA website before and I believe it is still in my bookmarks. They were going to be my choice for Spring.

[Bramble-Poultry]

oooh - can you post the link up for us as we are trying to find their website for the spring.

[matthew2riches]

Woops! I have Cyril Bason in my bookmarks, not Poulet Anglais. Can't see them in Google so I am guessing they don't have one.

I have a number for Poulet Anglais - 01790 763066.

[Bramble-Poultry]

thanks very much. i will save that number and call them when i empty the turkey pen