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I think of the Dorking as having a old soul. They look at you like the know the secret to life (at least mine do). Quite independent but eager to come for a treat. They "tank" around the yard like they own it. Very good mothers, they storm through the yard with their chicks in tow, so cute...

I meant Silver Grey, Good Lord been a busy here. Loading my horse off to its new home. I love my Silver GREY Dorkings My first set are from private lines. I got a few from a commercial hatchery, very disappointing, so small and runty. They are just layers now, no use breeding them...

I sent my three extra SL Dorking roos off to the processor because I got a SLD roo from another line. Stupid mistake. The roos I sent to the Processor were of superior quality to the new roo. He is much smaller and the coloring is not quite right IMO.. I am wondering if the new roo was from a...

I lent out my super SG Dorking Rooster for Stud and he wasn't mating the hens very much. When he came home he jumped 1/2 dozen hens right away. They only thing different is my pens are HUGE and when they are not in for breeding all of them free range. Where he went on stud free the pens were...

Yes they are great Brooders, fierce protectors of their chicks. Here is a picture of two SG Dorkings and two Barnevelders all crammed into the same nest box. Why I have no idea ? there is plenty of room for each of them to have their own box. Three are young birds but beware of the matron...

Quote: I think they need to be breed with egg laying in mind. I would guess they used to lay better than the ones we have today. I couldn't imagine the old time farmers having much patience with chickens that don't lay. I gave mine to a local school who is working on the breed but my girls...

Dorkings are a excellent meat bird not such a great layer. Mine lay more in the spring early summer, then drop off and pick up a bit before winter then drop off again. I love them anyway

Quote: I would like to know too.

My SGD are not having any trouble with fertility or hatching but this year I am getting mostly roosters At any given time I have a Broody SD Dorking hen

My big sleepy eyed SG Dorking Hen makes the best Mother. She stays with them until they are 8 weeks and then one day she drops them like a hot potato. No chirping or fussing from the chicks at all. She has done her job very well.

I would say that is normal but I haven't checked mine to make sure.

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain : I swear, I am about to try AI on this guy... I've seen how it's done, and would love some pointers... I haven't been able to determine if he's just not doing his job, or shooting blanks. Just tossed another dozen eggs after 14 days and still clear. I hear you about the...

Quote: Yes they are It seems this year for me, I am getting more males than females. Shame I have some beautiful young SGD roos from old traditional lines that will go to the processor.

Junior is one handsome looking SG Dorking rooster

Thank you for the information and links. It is interesting about the Dark Grey Dorking. I have relatives in the UK and they have had dorkings for years. They say a lot of people do over there have them. At the last poultry swap, nobody bought the Quennel Lake SG Dorking eggs, so I did I am...

Quote: She is very pretty. Is the dark grey a variety? Almost the same feather pattern but darker, hmm .....but no peach chest. The SGD that don't have a peach chest are not bred here. It is a fault. Not sure why it pops up but it does in, say, 5 in 100 birds. I've read some breeder info...

Quote: Hi - i have a similar hen, and I was told she is a dark grey - here is a pic to help :-) https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/56414_img-20110125-00069.jpg She is very pretty. Is the dark grey a variety? Almost the same feather pattern but darker, hmm .....but no peach chest...

Quote: That doesn't look like my SG Dorking hens. I have seen a few hens without the peach colouring on their chest. The Roosters are black and white.

Quote: My SGD are hardy, strong and robust, not weak at all. They forage no matter what the weather conditions are. Big birds that lay big eggs. Affectionatley known as Chicken tanks. Maybe it is the stock you purchased? maybe too much inbreeding? I have noticed the hatchery birds are of poor...

Quote: If we are going to bring these birds back from the brink, I think it is important that we bring them back with the strongest blood lines possible. I've noticed some of the more rare breeds tend to be weak. A weak line of chicken won't survive. They need to be able to be tossed out on...