I'm running one three year old Black Star and five Dominques who just went from pullets to hens as they hit one year of age. B^) I am really impressed by the Dominiques as easy keepers - they are constantly busy with big biddy business - foraging, dustbathing, etc. They don't lay as well as Black Stars or Barred Rocks, and the eggs tend to medium size, but they eat less and seem tougher and hardier than the Barred Rocks.
They make up for any egg shortcomings by being maternal which means no incubator or brooder required. They are also hilarious, and have acquired the nickname of the Unite Clown of the Cirque des Poulets, the name of our chicken yard out in back. Part of what makes them funny is that they seem to have a "hive mind" and all think together. Watching them surround a dangling treat and manipulate it between them is hilarious. They also don't seem to squabble as much when treats are tossed out for them. They settle into eating and squabbling only comes at the end, if at all.
If someone goes broody when it isn't desirable, about three days in a cage with no nesting material under 18 hour "natural light" fluorescents seems to do the trick.
