B.Y.C. Dorking Club!

[capayvalleychick]

To those of you with SGDs, I would like to see some good pictures of your cockerels. Can you all try to post some pics? On the same level as the bird, from the front, side & top, would be great.

I'm feeling positive about the progress that I'm seeing with my pullets. The males... not so much, or not quite sure. They seem to be so much more difficult to improve. I thought this was an issue within my own flock. I have a few McMurray cockerels growing out this year - and I'm seeing the same defects as in my own strain. Interesting. So, I'd really like to see some pics from breeders across the country.

Why is it more difficult to improve, or to get what you need to improve type, with the males?

If I get the hens where they are of good type, will they eventually influence the cockerels? So far, it doesn't seem to be working that way. I know, I need to be patient, but I'd like to know that answer.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[ki4got]

To those of you with SGDs, I would like to see some good pictures of your cockerels. Can you all try to post some pics? On the same level as the bird, from the front, side & top, would be great.

I'm feeling positive about the progress that I'm seeing with my pullets. The males... not so much, or not quite sure. They seem to be so much more difficult to improve. I thought this was an issue within my own flock. I have a few McMurray cockerels growing out this year - and I'm seeing the same defects as in my own strain. Interesting. So, I'd really like to see some pics from breeders across the country.

Why is it more difficult to improve, or to get what you need to improve type, with the males?

If I get the hens where they are of good type, will they eventually influence the cockerels? So far, it doesn't seem to be working that way. I know, I need to be patient, but I'd like to know that answer.

Thanks,
Kim

the only decent pic i have of him but he hatched in december '11. forgive the tail, he's moulting.

i'll have to search thru and see if i can find any front or top pics.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I got 2 out of 24 to hatch and then one died in the brooder. THEN the 30 chicks we were supposed to pick up perished in a flash flood and I am still on 3 more waiting lists trying to get these birds. I think I've just about given up for this year. I can't find them anywhere.

Also my one lone Dorking is super small... is this normal for the breed? He is 11 weeks and 2 days old and is still TINY, smaller than my Olive Eggers that are half his age.

 

[dncarr09]

Thank you! I just sent them an email. Hopefully there will be some available. I will try and sex my 3 tonight. I will try and post some pictures for a second opinon. Thanks!

 

[ki4got]

ok found a pic of 'junior' from above, taken in june.


I couldn't find any front shots...

 

[Eggcentric Rae]

I bought some Dorking eggs along with other eggs from someone in ME. The first hatch which a friend did for me was dismal - 20%; I decided to find out if it was the eggs or the incubation so I have 3 Dorkings incubating and due to hatch along with some Marans and Salmon Faverolles. The two dorkings that survived that bad hatch are wonderful birds, but because they were low on down (which makes me believe the incubator was too hot too often based on U. of MS info), I couldn't figure out the sex or even the color. The "breeder" had a mixed Dorking flock of Dunn, SG, and white. One of my birds is almost black with white wing feathers - doesn't match any colors I've seen online, but it has the right stature and feet.

**update** One Black Copper Marans egg has a crack, excitement**

 

[Jwhip]

My 2012 hatched Dorking pullet


Joseph would you keep this pullet? Is the comb a DQ?

 

[Sydney Acres]

I got 2 out of 24 to hatch and then one died in the brooder. THEN the 30 chicks we were supposed to pick up perished in a flash flood and I am still on 3 more waiting lists trying to get these birds. I think I've just about given up for this year. I can't find them anywhere.

Also my one lone Dorking is super small... is this normal for the breed? He is 11 weeks and 2 days old and is still TINY, smaller than my Olive Eggers that are half his age.

How small is he? My 6 Red Dorking cockerels were between 1,500 - 1,750 gm (3.3 - 3.8 pounds) at 11 1/2 weeks. I don't know how big OliveEggers are supposed to be at 6 weeks old, but I wouldn't expect them to be bigger that a bird twice their age. But Dorkings do develop slowly compared to some other breeds, so maybe...? Can you weigh him accurately?

What color of Dorking are you looking for? Most of the hatcheries that sell them (Sandhill, Murray McMurray, Farwest, etc) are likely sold out this time of year, but some of the private breeders may still have fertile eggs, or still be hatching chicks. There is a post (#2159) on page 216 of this thread listing several non-hatchery sources of Red Dorkings. If red isn't the color you want, then you can go to the Dorking Breeders Club website for additional listings, or search through this thread for other prior recommendations.
--April

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I bought some Dorking eggs along with other eggs from someone in ME. The first hatch which a friend did for me was dismal - 20%; I decided to find out if it was the eggs or the incubation so I have 3 Dorkings incubating and due to hatch along with some Marans and Salmon Faverolles. The two dorkings that survived that bad hatch are wonderful birds, but because they were low on down (which makes me believe the incubator was too hot too often based on U. of MS info), I couldn't figure out the sex or even the color. The "breeder" had a mixed Dorking flock of Dunn, SG, and white. One of my birds is almost black with white wing feathers - doesn't match any colors I've seen online, but it has the right stature and feet.

**update** One Black Copper Marans egg has a crack, excitement**

Sounds like u got your dorkings the same place I got mine! My lone dorking is black with white wings too!!!!!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:

I looked a whole bunch and everyone was out. =(

My little guy is probably about a pound. I'll go weigh him. =)