B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[Yellow House Farm]

Wow! This is why there is so much confusion (maybe just on my part) over the desired color of the hens vs. cocks! Apparently it has been an issue for over 100 years! LOL! The rooster in the picture is what I would interpret to be a Red Dorking, The hens I would interpret to be Colored (or Dark) Dorkings. My interpretations are based on the current SOP, which does not have an illustrated example of the Colored Dorking (probably because they have no clue either). Anyway, I am convinced that the proper color of hen and cock, for the Red Dorking, is identical to that of the Light Brown Leghorn. Leghorn breeders have been breeding true this color variety for generations and it (the Red Dorking or the Lt. Brown Leghorn) appears to me to be a genetically stable variety. The Colored Dorking is a whole different argument and I think I am going to try to stay as far away from that as possible!

In that photo, the Red Dorkings are English Reds. The female is the same color pattern as a Redcap female. My understanding is that the reds in America have been of severl different types from the beginning, and this has much to do with the length of time it took of decide on the SOP. What has been recently described in the drak headed reds is probably hailing back to mixes beteen the varius phases of red.

 

[OSUman]

Thats really fascinating.

In that photo, the Red Dorkings are English Reds. The female is the same color pattern as a Redcap female. My understanding is that the reds in America have been of severl different types from the beginning, and this has much to do with the length of time it took of decide on the SOP. What has been recently described in the drak headed reds is probably hailing back to mixes beteen the varius phases of red.

Here is an actual picture of a silver gray male from that book.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

In that photo, the Red Dorkings are English Reds. The female is the same color pattern as a Redcap female. My understanding is that the reds in America have been of severl different types from the beginning, and this has much to do with the length of time it took of decide on the SOP. What has been recently described in the drak headed reds is probably hailing back to mixes beteen the varius phases of red.

I'm never going to learn how to type.....

 

[ki4got]

SO is putting pressure on me to get rid of some birds. I am enjoying 'the sample stage' a lot. There are a few birds that really fit my bill. Honestly, so far the Dorkings aren't impressing me, but they are young and might not be great quality either. I do think they are hardy but so flighty! I think I am more in love with their history and reputation than their window dressing. I have to admit that there is something to looking at the birds. I went to art school so I suppose I am just weak in that I want to love the look of my birds as well as their work. This brings me to a question: how do I know if the Dorkings are 'good' other than posting pics in here. *I* think that they are scrawny and smaller than I expected by quite a bit. This year's PBRs that I have are bigger by a lot and they are heritage so that argument isn't working very well this time. The Dorkings are laying eggs already though and that is nice. I love the colors on the cockerel. If I got forward with them I am going to have to do something about combs and size.

ROFL flighty? not mine... in the morning once i let them all out, i usually go inside to feed the dog, get the chick feed and step back out to get the horse and adult feed (bins outside under my deck)... it's all i can do to walk half a step at a time, without worrying about stepping on someone! several times this morning, i had to use the top of my foot to shove a roo or hen out of my way so i could move! usually i just toss a handful of grain off to the side so they'll go hunting, so i can get where i'm going faster.

as for scrawny, it could be that they are on the small side, they may be young, etc. i would say give them a good 3-4 months to finish filling out to say for sure. winter's usually not a good time to try beefing them up, since they're spending so much energy to stay warm.

 

[OSUman]

It still works, its one of those mental things that makes people recognize words that arent correct lol

I'm never going to learn how to type.....

 

[pysankigirl]

mine are the opposite of flighty. that's what I like so much about them.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Thats really fascinating.

Here is an actual picture of a silver gray male from that book.

What I like about this picture is that he stands at an angle. Yesterday, I exchanged with Bentley on another thread, discussing how, when they're too horizontal one can run into problems with fertility--not because they're infertile but because they hae trouble breeding properly.

 

[ashandvine]

ROFL flighty? not mine... in the morning once i let them all out, i usually go inside to feed the dog, get the chick feed and step back out to get the horse and adult feed (bins outside under my deck)... it's all i can do to walk half a step at a time, without worrying about stepping on someone! several times this morning, i had to use the top of my foot to shove a roo or hen out of my way so i could move! usually i just toss a handful of grain off to the side so they'll go hunting, so i can get where i'm going faster.

as for scrawny, it could be that they are on the small side, they may be young, etc. i would say give them a good 3-4 months to finish filling out to say for sure. winter's usually not a good time to try beefing them up, since they're spending so much energy to stay warm.

This has to be one of the nicest threads.
I was playing chicken soccer this summer and fall with my Ams and I even had a Marans who would just follow me around and who JUMPED ON MY HEAD for a ride. These girls were raised partially elsewhere so I think that makes a difference. Considering the possible gaming history of these birds it figures they would be friendly. I just can't get mine to settle down since moving here. They were worse so maybe time is all they need-- to grow out too. I wanted eggs and meat birds as well as history so the Dorking met those interests... except for those single combs.

As far as weighing.... um, no. I have no scale. I pick up and feel my birds, mostly for condition. The Dorking cockerel who was not doing so well seems to be recovering. I fear he might have been bullied out of feeding well and then been bullied in the yard by another cockerel. He is isolated now and making steady strides so hopefully I can attempt to keep them. I don't give up on any breed right away. I spent a lot of time sifting and there are SO MANY types of chickens. Gosh are there so many. I still learn about new ones. I like where I am so far and figure that what I am going to end up with is already here. The Orloffs have my dedication. Everyone else has to work a little harder :O)

 

[pysankigirl]

So when Spike (our SG roo) died last month, I stuck a couple of eggs under a Broody hen. Only one made it. this is our very first hatchling and his only progeny.


meet Buffy, our new Dorking pullet chick!

 

[Rockashelle]

Ashandvine... A few of my Dorking gals were very skittish at first. They were reared by their moms and where they were, human contact was slim. After several months with me, they have settled right in and are now right under foot with the rest of my Dorkings. Give them time and you'll see those personalities shine through.