B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[capayvalleychick]

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These would make a great start. As I think will be the biggest challenge with Dorkings today, they are lacking in the cinderblock department. Is say this, though, expecting that we shall find this everywhere. It has been so long since people were really breeding these fowl well and in good number that one should expect these points of perfection to be lacking. They are only maintained through serious breeding. Lord knows I'm working on them, too. The great thing about poultry, though, is that each year is a full generation, and progress can be made relatively quickly, as opposed to cattle, per se.

If you have access to these birds, snatch them up, especially if you're interested in breeding them up!!!

The best of luck!

Thanks, I appreciate your advice! These wouldn't be a start, I've had SGDs since 2005. My first flock was the best, good cinderblock type, but didn't reproduce on their own, which is what I want in my flock. My replacement stock has been of lesser quality, so my breeding is going downhill. Trying to get back on track,
Kim

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
These would make a great start. As I think will be the biggest challenge with Dorkings today, they are lacking in the cinderblock department. Is say this, though, expecting that we shall find this everywhere. It has been so long since people were really breeding these fowl well and in good number that one should expect these points of perfection to be lacking. They are only maintained through serious breeding. Lord knows I'm working on them, too. The great thing about poultry, though, is that each year is a full generation, and progress can be made relatively quickly, as opposed to cattle, per se.

If you have access to these birds, snatch them up, especially if you're interested in breeding them up!!!

The best of luck!

Hmmm...I wonder wy they didn't reproduce on their own? Any insight?

I am suspect of the low legs. I think it's a tight-rope. You want the legs low, but if they're too low, I think they impede genital contact.
Thanks, I appreciate your advice! These wouldn't be a start, I've had SGDs since 2005. My first flock was the best, good cinderblock type, but didn't reproduce on their own, which is what I want in my flock. My replacement stock has been of lesser quality, so my breeding is going downhill. Trying to get back on track,
Kim

 

[capayvalleychick]

Quote:

I recently had a conversation with Craig Russell about Dorkings. He said hatcheries kill any broody birds. My original stock was from McMurray, probably Urch line, according to Phil Bartz, who evaluated their photos. So, I think that is why they didn't go broody. And the reason why I no longer buy hatchery stock.

Mr. Russell also said that any Dorking that won't go broody should be culled. Oddly, when I spoke to Duane Urch about the fact that I wanted broody Dorkings, he said Dorkings are not necessarily broody. I got an entirely different point of view on the value of broody stock from these two breeders.

Craig Russell also said something about the Dorking legs not actually being shorter, but that they appear shorter due to the stance (or something like that). I wish that I had written it down or asked him to elaborate!

Good point about the short legs impeding genital contact. I've found too short of legs also won't hold up those heavy bodies for longevity.

Kim​

 

[hensonly]

I posted pics of my young roosters earlier (thank you for the replies and opinions!!!) Here are some pics of my pullets. I have eleven pullets, not sure I got them all on camera - it's definitely easier to count (or photograph) your chickens before they hatch!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2167_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2168_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2169_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2170_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2171_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2172_-_copy.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2193.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/10463_img_2197.jpg

Since these are not organized so that all pics of the same bird are grouped together, I guess all I can expect is an overall impression. One of the whites is either an Orpington or a Dorking with only four toes...

Thanks to all for any opinions, critiques, etc.

 

[TOL Chick]

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Words of wisdom from Yellow House Farm are always welcome. Thanks for your thoughts, they are certainly a repeat on some points you've made earlier to others. I plan to spend some quality time with the ALBC resources here in the near future.

My first batch of 42 eggs will go in the incubator here in a few weeks, and I plan to do at least another round with that same amount so i can CULL.


Many Thanks,
Jen

p.s. the cinderblock will magically disappear with the snow

I have to agree with YHF. A very nice start but pay attention to body. You mention a cinderblock. That is the shape you want your Dorkings to be.

Thanks Dave - thinking I may need to keep the cinderblock around so i can compare

 

[rtroxel]

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I guess I have a question about your direction. Are you trying to breed a certain variety? Are you looking only for body type? Are you going to show, eat or sell stock? Because, as you know, you only have one really recognized variety there (white...one of the males was a pretty good Silver #3). The rest are a group of crossed colors of whites, blacks, and silvers resulting in a lot of fayomis and birchen-looking birds. I also see what appear to be quite a few feet with only 4 toes and the majority of the combs are very poor quality. All of these are basic cosmetic faults that have no effect of the productivity of the birds, but they also basically hinder the recognizability of the breed. Frankly, I would not look at those birds, except the whites and that one rooster (#3) and say, "oh, those are Dorkings."

My recommendation would be to pick a color and work with just that color. Just like YHF has said recently, you will be better off in the long run if you specialize and you will actually probably do more good for that one variety and its preservation than if you worked with 3, 4 or 5 varieties. Then you can kind of forget your color/cosmetic issues, or at least deal with them on a secondary basis, to work with type.

 

[rtroxel]

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I definitely like that second hen a lot more than the first one. She looks like an eater to me...or else she might have an issue. Sometimes pics lie, but...

I like the male and the last female. Maybe he'd sell them for less and keep that one hen???

The pics you posted of your birds in that video a while back looked like pretty good stuff. Why are you looking for more? Just new blood? $125 sounds like a lot but I guess it might be the price of Dorkings in CA. Good luck!

 

[muddipuppy]

I JUST wrote a blog on this wonderful breed:
http://homeschooledchickens.blogspot.com/2011/03/precious-dorking.html

 

[rtroxel]

While I'm thinking of it. Someone mentioned that Roger T doesn't return phone calls. I don't know about that but he only has Reds and BC Marans now. So if it was an inquiry into the Coloreds or Silvers he used to have, he might not answer. Who knows

 

[TOL Chick]

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Absolutely darling! I love the homeschool chicken concept!

Well done