B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[Fowl Explorer]

I have Red Dorkings from Sandhill. They are very standoffish - handling them is a chore. I am getting Red Dorkings next year from a lady recommended by the Breed Conservancy, hoping to find a "friendly" strain.

 

[ki4got]

I have Red Dorkings from Sandhill. They are very standoffish - handling them is a chore. I am getting Red Dorkings next year from a lady recommended by the Breed Conservancy, hoping to find a "friendly" strain.

Julie in NC and Kimberly in AL both have good lines, as does Mary Wetterstrom in FL. are yours coming from one of these?

 

[CGilbert]

Julie in NC and Kimberly in AL both have good lines, as does Mary Wetterstrom in FL.  are yours coming from one of these?

I'm hatching silver and reds from Mary Wettersons line right now. Day 8.

 

[Fowl Explorer]

No, it is Cynthia in NC.

B

 

[CGilbert]

What size coop and Sq ft per bird does everyone have? I'm in process of planning, but have dorkings hatching and on their way. Thank you.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

As a rule of thumb I like to provide four square feet per bird of indoor space and ten square feet of outdoor space per bird. I find this adequate to keep bad behavior and disease at bay, and with deep; litter, smells and cleanliness tolerable. I also get them free ranging a couple times a week for two to ten hours depending on my schedule.
My incubator is running. The eggs I set on 9/12 and 9/13 have produced three chicks from four eggs. The fourth egg piped early but after zipping about one third the way around quit. It may still make it out but I doubt it.

Add: I got a very odd colored chick, almost mulberry. I'll try to get a picture later.

 

[CGilbert]

As a rule of thumb I like to provide four square feet per bird of indoor space and ten square feet of outdoor space per bird. I find this adequate to keep bad behavior and disease at bay, and with deep; litter, smells and cleanliness tolerable. I also get them free ranging a couple times a week for two to ten hours depending on my schedule.
My incubator is running. The eggs I set on 9/12 and 9/13 have produced three chicks from four eggs. The fourth egg piped early but after zipping about one third the way around quit. It may still make it out but I doubt it.

Add: I got a very odd colored chick, almost mulberry. I'll try to get a picture later.

4 sq ft indoor and 10 sq ft outdoor is what I had heard and what I've been going by, but I know Dorkings can get rather large so I just wanted to double check that those figures would still be ok.
Thank you!

 

[Dirt Farmer]

I should have added that I consider this a minimum. I can't think of a downside to giving them more space if you can.

 

[jeffsmith13]

Anyone have rosecomb Dorkings ? The only option I've found is sandhill . Im in Missouri

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Anyone have rosecomb Dorkings ? The only option I've found is sandhill . Im in Missouri

You can try XW PoultryRanch for whites. I bought Rocks from them and they were excellent quality and good customer service. May have to wait until spring. http://xwpoultryranch.com/