B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[pysankigirl]

I know I want to concentrate on a couple of breeds, but then have a layer flock with all the colors and shapes of a rainbow, so that I can show non-chicken people how gorgeous chickens are.
Most people have no idea...when they think of a chicken, beauty doesn't really figure into it.

But Dorkings, with their wonderful personalities and squat round shape are the perfect chicken. the color is just window dressing. Dorkings are a historical breed 2000 years old and the history is important to me. so I wouldn't want to mess with that. so if I can get colored, great. if not I will live.

But also...I am brand new to this whole thing, & the concept that normal people can play with the genetics of something facinates me. Like in the barnevelders some breeders are breeding for dilution genes and the patterning in the splash chicks is gorgeous. I think they outcrossed to get that dilution gene. so I woll choose a breed or two that I can play with, too. maybe ones with less history.

 

[BlackPanther]

I'm considering getting Dorkings this year, but I have questions first that I hope someone here can help me with.

Is the five-toed-feet gene dominant?
And -- there are another couple of flocks around here who have different owners (who might not be pleased with five-toed-ness,) and all the chickens free range, so if the rooster were to mate a four-toed hen, what is the chance that the chicks would be five-toed/carry the five-toed genes?

 

[Rockashelle]

I'm considering getting Dorkings this year, but I have questions first that I hope someone here can help me with.

Is the five-toed-feet gene dominant?
And -- there are another couple of flocks around here who have different owners (who might not be pleased with five-toed-ness,) and all the chickens free range, so if the rooster were to mate a four-toed hen, what is the chance that the chicks would be five-toed/carry the five-toed genes?

They are very high for the first 3 generations.

 

[BlackPanther]

How much of a chance is there of getting four-toed chicks out of the cross?

 

[Rockashelle]

Its a very slim chance of four toed chicks for the first few generations. Even then, your chances are higher for a chick with a total of nine toes. 4 on one and 5 on ther other.

 

[ashandvine]

Greetings! I was, and in both of the comments, I was trying to be gentle, and I sense the same in your responses...these things would work so much better over a cup of tea!

Well, NH and Maine aren't that far apart and I love tea

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.

 

[BlackPanther]

Its a very slim chance of four toed chicks for the first few generations. Even then, your chances are higher for a chick with a total of nine toes. 4 on one and 5 on ther other.

Interesting. Thank you for the information!

 

[dalalune]

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!

 

[dalalune]

Ashandvine – I can relate to your experience with your Dorkings! The first birds I received where not at all what I had been hoping for in Dorkings (long story) so I ordered from a second source (Ironically some of her birds are descendants from stock that she got from the same source as my first birds). Her birds are not perfect (and she warned me that they were also a work-in-progress) but they are much closer to what I was hoping for in the Dorkings. Bottom line is that there are so many isolated populations of Dorkings out there. Each population will have its own characteristics (good and bad). It may take some leg-work to get the breeding material together that you need to refine your flock. I am not quite ready to give up on mine; hope you do not give up on yours. It is sad that such a noble old breed is hanging on by such a thread here in the U.S.

 

[cukooformarans]

Hi! First, I have been following this thread for a while but havent actively participated because I am not yet a dorking owner. We have raised several breeds but have settled on the dorking as the breed that we want to focus our long term efforts on. I have ordered some red dorking eggs from dick horstman and am on an e- mail list for yellowhouse for some of their beautiful RC whites. I can't wait to officially be a part of the dorking owners group and look forward to learning from all of you!!

Well, NH and Maine aren't that far apart and I love tea 

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.

Ashandvine you probably know more about dorkings than me. I have done a lot of research but don't have the personal experience yet to back it up. Having said that, I have raised quite a few chickens, so, as a general thought on evaluating a bird from a distance, could you weigh your birds and post their weight, age, pictures, and any information you have on parent stock. That should give the people on here who are experts a good starting point for evaluating your birds. (Or maybe I am way off. Feel free to correct me. I won't be offended, just be gentle!).