B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[RareBreedFancier]

I have a new roo!!!

Went to get an Araucana roo (shhhh told DH it's a hen) to make EE's and what do I spot in the spare roo pen? A Dorking!!!

With great toes!!! So I brought him home too.

He's young, around 18wo and has no tail from it being picked but the toes! The toes! Not so pleased with his comb, my older boy's is better but I wasn't going to pass him up.

I'll have to put pics of them both up for critiques. I'm tempted to keep both and breed two pairs, have to work out what I'm doing with them. The new boy is completely unrelated to mine which are siblings.

 

[tgrlily]

Quote:
How exciting!!! We want to see pics! Depending on how he grows out, you may want to do two pairs. I would probably be inclined to do that anyway. Rose or straight comb? Yours are SG, right?

I have what looks like a young quad from Dick Horstman & Roger Tice line reds ready for the bator from Jen.

If all goes well, I'll have 3 lines of red Dorkings to work with!

My back-up boy Butch -- who was originally destined for a cast iron pan & named Butcher by Noah -- is going to be shown next month! He really surprised me & has really nice type IMHO. We'll see how he does.

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

It's ok... I never used to be patient, but I'm learning.

It's still hovering around freezing here, so I wouldn't try to ship eggs for at least a few more weeks.

Oh, and I'm willing to do fertility testing, too...

Hey don't feel too bad, I'm several miles south of you in Missouri and we were freezing LAST week... In fact, just on Thursday...

Winter is very stubborn this year.​

 

[tgrlily]

Quote:
Hey don't feel too bad, I'm several miles south of you in Missouri and we were freezing LAST week... In fact, just on Thursday...

Winter is very stubborn this year.

We were supposed to get snow today! I am so sick of winter!

 

[BlackBart]

Quote:
Dorking eggs are tasty!

Yes, just tell the Border Guard that if they ask, you can only eat Dorking eggs.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

Here are the pics, lots of 'em.

New and old so I can get opinions on both.

Heads first, I much prefer the older fellow. He's 24wo and comparing the two I have my doubts the new guy is 18wo, he looks too small.

Near side, new guy has almost no tail at the moment, hopefully it's nice when it grows back.

Off side, you can see a bit of shredded tail in this pic.

The old boy appears to have lost a leg.

You can also see he lacks the 5th toe.

Just one of the new guys front, noticed some spots on his chest. Old guy is solid black. Notice the nice toes.

Edit to ad: Comparing the two I see good and bad points on both so more than likely I'll set up two pairs for spring. Defiantly interested to see what others think.

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:
I would say 2 pens would be the best place to start. Choosing hens that will help the roos faults. But I am new to Dorkings.... well I have eggs in the mail anyway.

 

[tgrlily]

Dorkings are now listed in the Notable Reference & Breed Thread Discussions sticky!!!!!


Thanks Jody and/or Wynette for adding it!!!!!

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

Your first guy has a GREAT comb and I would be really inclined to work with him over the younger guy. Younger does have some nice toes though. With that being said, I've decided to work with a Delaware roo that has comb issues but his body type was so very, very close I couldn't pass him up. So, I can understand the attraction to those nice feet.

If you have the capacity to hatch several chicks, I'd suggest doing the American Livestock Breeder's Conservancy rule of ten culling program. Hatch 100 pullets keep 10 of the best. And one rooster out of the 100 would be a keeper.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

Quote:
Thank you.

He has the best comb of all my various roos, I wish I could copy it for all the others.

The main reason I was so exited about the toes is both the older boy and one of the girls have only 4 toes. I didn't feel breeding those together would produce anything good. The pullets have pretty good combs so hopefully the 4 toed girl will pass hers on when mated to the new boy. The original quad are also full siblings so some outside blood is probably a good idea as I know nothing about their breeding. Everyone will be marked so if I find the new guy is producing lots of hideous combs and white spotted chests I can cull that line. I want the toes, I don't want the other issues.

I am definitely planing to use the ALBC selection guides. Lucky for me space isn't an issue.

I'm planing on building portable tunnel houses on skids as grow outs to place out in the paddock beside the house. That way I can move them around and let them range on the paddock. Electric fence will keep foxes out at night.

Planing to hatch 100+ in spring which shouldn't be too hard with 3 laying. Although... how many eggs do they lay before going broody? I have had exactly 8 Dorking eggs (all went into the 'bator today) and this afternoon I have my laying Dorking sitting on the nest growling at me. I discovered her when I went to steal today's eggs as I'd not had time to grab them this morning. Carefully fished them out and offered her 3 ping pong balls that are supposed to be cat toys. She growled at me again then scooted them under her.
Can she actually be broody after laying only 8 eggs?!?! It sure looks like it!