B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[Urbanfarmerkc]

BAD BAD BAD NEWS!

I got hit last night (before I got out to shut the fence) by a predator (probably a raccoon) he killed all but 4 of my Red Dorkings and several of my old setting hens. I was so proud of the ones that survived though (my dorking moms and 2 cochin moms) they scattered and pulled the chicks with them. I would have none if it wasn't for them being such great moms.

Anyway, I'm very sad. I've been working on getting Red Dorkings for 3 years. This really stinks!

Dave

 

[tgrlily]

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Dave -- I'm SO sorry!!!!

 

[tgrlily]

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That cross should give you pure silver hens and silver/red males. I would guess that anything with red in it's feathers is a male. You might have still been able to color sex by head markings. Not sure about that because the RIR is not duckwing like the Dorking.

Ok, Rudy -- now I'm confused...LOL.

Marie just told us male is visually black. So shouldn't he be from the black sex link? The girls look like they're from the RIR cross.

According to my calculations, using the added info about the male being black & the sex-link hen -- it's still confusing! But not as confusing! The good news is if you hatch enough chicks, some are going to get Dorking colors.... you're also going to get a lot of black chicks. Depending on the colors that you do end up hatching, or you actually want to produce, try to get a few pure Dorkings to breed them with. I'd try Silver-grey, Colored or Red. I'd select for correct feet, leg color, white skin & chipmunk pattern at hatch, cull for type, weight & comb as they mature. Breed the most Dorking-looking chicks to your actual Dorkings.

Here, Marie -- play with this for awhile: Chicken Calculator. It's fun & a good learning tool. Of course, things don't always come out the way they appear that they will!

I can help you with some of it.

 

[reereechickens]

Hi! I have not tried the calculator yet. I figured I would use these as a test run to see if I like the breed. If so I will try purebred Dorking chicks or eggs, not to be bred with these. From what I have read about genetics, it would take lots of culls to get back to the Dorking. Am I right? Since I don't have either parent that is purebred? I loved the roo the person had, that I got these from, he was awesome looking and friendly.

 

[reereechickens]

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Sorry! That does stink!

 

[tazcat70]

Dave I am so sorry that you lost some.

Glad you got some good momma watching the others.

 

[tgrlily]

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Well, yeah... five generations or so to get back to pure but that's with crossing back to pure.

I've had or do have Orpingtons, Ameraucana, EEs, Hamburgs, Brahmas & Silkies. The Dorkings have the most wonderful personalities of all and are absolutely stunning. I'm in the process of collecting & hatching eggs from Dorking breeders all over the US. I'm also working on getting a breeders list together to help out others who are looking for them.... trying to form a network of sorts.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

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I'm so sorry to hear that.

I'm glad your broody moms did such a good job of keeping their chicks safe.

I'd keep everyone locked up for a while in case the predator comes back.

 

[TOL Chick]

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VERY SAD!!!

But I do have good news for you! Reds are on their way to you, by Noon today.

I guess I won't get any SG eggs from those pretty chickens then?

Jen

 

[tgrlily]

I have 5 White Dorking babies!!!!!!!!!!!

And one colored so far!!!!!

The hatch is due today & started late last night. There were pips when I went to sleep. Three more whites are zipping!

I'm entirely too excited for my own good!

And I'll be in a car most of the day so I won't be tempted to open the bator door! hehehehehe