Dominique

I Love Dominiques! Besides being our oldest native American breed, they are spefially suited for North America. Last summer we had temperatures to 110 F for a week, and the entire summer was the warmest on record for our area. In the winter it frequently get to below 0 F. They continue to lay about 1 egg every other day. The cockerels are fantastic eating. We process ours at about 26 weeks, and they average about 5 lbs. dressed. The pullets start laying at between 18-22 weeks. Slower developing than some other breeds, this Heritage chicken breed has time to develope flavor that you don't get in store bought chicken. Very friendly, and easy to manage. In November-December 2012, our 12 hens and 1 rooster plus 5 EEs only went through 50 lbs of feed in 6 weeks. AND they still lay eggs! Some roosters can be ornery, but cull those and keep the one with good manners. The best dual purpose breed out there.

I have a 3 of these in my flock and they are definitely the most friendly. One of them will often jump up and peck at the feed scoop as I walk into the run. Two of my three are rather old so I don't think they lay much, but the younger one is a very dependable layer. These are great hens for the beginner and are a must for any flock.

Egg size is only downside - lay up to a large egg, a few extra large but they are not supposed to lay huge eggs as they are a smaller bird. Very feed efficient ounce per ounce get way more eggs product from them, and more meat product especially if they can free range. Love the breed, have a ton breed more each year I'm addicted. Very cold tolerant and lay lots of eggs in the winter when other breeds (even the other cold tolerant ones it seems) are slowing way down. I have tried other breeds known for their foraging abilities but the Dominiques make the other breeds look a bit lazy, they will be out in the orchard sunup to sundown and don't touch the food in the feeder if they have a choice. Beautiful birds you won't appreciate their beauty until you see a small flock of them on green grass an early summer morning. 

We have one of these wonderful girls, Joy, and she is a consistent layer with a really sweet personality.  She is constantly talking with quiet clucks and squeals, which is so much fun to hear.  She is always interested in what you're doing, what you have in your hands, can she eat it... she's great.  Best of all, she has been a consistent layer of small to medium eggs.  She is our top bird, for being as small as she is (she's our littlest bird), she definitely can be a little bully.  She plucked the butts of her fellow girls, but a set of pinless peepers has mellowed her out.  I'd definitely recommend this breed, (even with Joy's happy plucking)!

they are very pretty and friendly i love them even the roos are nice they are very calm and SO SOFT! i love having them around they are wonderful chickens

Our Dominique is still young and hasn't started laying eggs yet, but she is my favorite bird of the five we have (OEG bantam, Faverolle, Speckled Sussex, Welsummer).  She's beautiful and friendly.  We recently added two young hens to the flock and she has pecked the Sussex, although it doesn't seem that she hurt it.  She does like to peck, especially if you're wearing rings!  But she seems to peck out of curiosity rather than intent to hurt.  I highly recommend this breed.

I bought my birds about a month ago and got 2 Dominiques. Honestly I bought about 20 assorted birds and these are one of my favorites. They hang out and will let me pick them up. They can be noisy though. When I go to give the birds treats she yells and yells until I give it to her also. But I like the breed. A possum got the other one so next year I may buy a few chicks again.

Our Dom hen was super!  She laid well and was the first of the new batch of chicks at just a few weeks old to wander into the territory of the "big girls" she had no fear.  Went broody in year 2, so we gave her 10 fertile eggs from an assortment of others, and she hatched every one.  Was a great mom, VERY protective. She died in year 3, think she was just worn out.  It was a lot of work for such a little girl.  Would recommend this breed to anyone.

I purchased my first Dominiques from Cackle Hatchery in Missouri and they were very true to true Dom standard. My next pullets are on order from McMurray, because I wanted Marck's vaccinations.

My Dominiques are beautiful girls, each has a very distinct personality, the Dom hens seem to be the rulers of the roost. They have the best camoflauage from predators of any of my hens. They are great foragers, while the other hens are relaxing in the sun, my Doms are out scratching and eating bugs.

My girls were very good layers too. Mine layed a large to x-large egg nearly everyday. They also tend to be very clean chickens and keep themselves well groomed. I live in Northern NY near Canada and it gets very rainy and muddy here with lots of snow and the Dominiques keep nice and clean and they do very well in cold weather.

With Buff Orps, Dominiques are my favorite breed of hen. I'd highly recommend them.