B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[ki4got]

I am absolutely thrilled that multiple people are doing the colored projects because it just adds for genetic diversity down the line. Hopefully we are going to all end up with the same dilution genetics that won't go all wonky if we try out another line with them.

i think that's what's happenned in the past... different people working on a similar outcome with different varieties going in, so you end up with a mishmash of nothing that matches.

 

[melissaG]

Actually, I have enjoyed lurking along with this conversation... On the one hand, I have no interest in trying to breed Blue laced Red Polkadotted Dorkings (lol) since they are not in the SOP (or existence for that matter, I'm jut being silly ) but I am (against very good advice) planning on embarking upon a Colored Dorking breeding project, which will necessitate becoming more familiar with all of this. I find that it is far easier for me to pick up information that would otherwise cross my eyes and make my brain hurt by absorbing it in a more narrative form such as following along on this conversation, and of course the more pictures and other visual aids the better!

I'll bid $40 on those polkadot eggs!!

 

[Sazbaby]

Quote: Karen- I have been quite surprised to find that even this chick, with the very light colored head, is growing black feathers in on her head! lol I was hoping to be able to tell her apart from everyone else, but she's going to end up looking just like the 3 others with the dark heads! I think the straight dorking pullets ended up being 1 from your "tannish" hen, one typical red, and 4 that have the black heads!

I also have another layer who has decided to go broody (she usually does 2 or 3 times a year for us) and I am seriously resisting the temptation to get more eggs to put under her...

 

[ki4got]

Quote: LOL well, the only thing I've got pure right now are bantam cochins... the dorkings are best guess 'who the baby daddy be'. LOL but it's a matter of 4 dorkings 1 ee 1 blrw. so the odds are good. I've gotten rid of the other hens that laid similar color eggs.

 

[bethbug74]

Does anyone have an extra Silver Grey pullet or hen for sale? I'll send you their shipping box if they are good quality birds.

 

[SoCal Dorkings]

I'll bid $40 on those polkadot eggs!!

See? Destined to be a moneymaker!

(ROFL)

 

[speedy2020]

Have anyone done taste test between 6 months vs. 2yrs old with this breed? And also fresh vs. frozen from freezer?

 

[kimberly35042]

I'd be interested in that as well. My guess is with a 2 yr. old any breed, the answer is very low and very slow.

 

[Sazbaby]

I'd be interested in that as well. My guess is with a 2 yr. old any breed, the answer is very low and very slow.

Have anyone done taste test between 6 months vs. 2yrs old with this breed? And also fresh vs. frozen from freezer?

I'd have to say the same as kimberly35042, not direct experience with Dorkings per se, but chickens in general, 2 years old is going to have a significantly different texture.

Along those same lines, what is everyone's strategy for butchering dorkings, as far as average age/weight to look for?

 

[Falkenhof]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with the hatching eggs from Black Diamond Ranch? I know hatching eggs are a bit of a gamble under all circumstances, but how have people's hatched in the past?