Arielle, you know that all of that varies by strain.
I think the Dominique is under rated. They have a good laying type and have a lot of potential. There type is a lot like a Leghorn with a little more flesh. They could be selected to mature fast enough to reach some level of efficiency. I like their size. Large enough to be considered dual purpose, but small enough to not be classed with the big birds with big appetites. They could be, should be, thrifty. They also have a reputation for going broody.
Like everything else, it would vary by strain. I do believe they have a lot of potential as a "homestead" type bird. No one wants to hear this, but the hatchery bird do not have the greatest reputation. it might be best to find someone that knows their birds, and has done well with their birds.
As the oldest American breed, I would like to see them do well.
Think about what they were. They were probably game mixes early on. The were a bird for the small farm with no cabinet incubator, no electricity for fans or lights, their was no
Tractor Supply etc. Yes they got passed p by the more popular Rocks, and the Rocks went in another direction. At a time when agriculture was becoming mechanized, there was plenty of grain, and it was affordable. The Dominique on the other hand ruled the day when people were settling the west, the south was entirely rural except for a few cities here and there. The birds got thrown a little corn, and the birds figured the rest out. In return they were decent layers of medium sized eggs, and reared their own replacements.
I mentioned the Anconas, and I would stand by that. A very under appreciated beautiful and productive bird. On a small farm where they were allowed to range, they would eat a lot less than the big birds, and produce as much or more.
The Sicilian Buttercup is a unique and delightful bird. If they had been imported recently with a beautiful story, they would be all the rage. Instead they sit in obscurity. They are not famous as Leghorn type producers, but they are a light fowl that could get much of their food from the tree line. They could be decent layers, where the hens were as colorful as the males. A lot less feed, and enough medium sized eggs to keep a family in eggs. I would find the best I could from someone that showed them, and then find the best hatchery for them. I would go from there.
I think the Minorca is too big too fall in this category, but they could be good birds for niche market eggs when free ranged.
The Catalana is probably the most overlooked and rare of all of them, but I am tickled with them. The hang up is that they are not really available. They are all business. I have went on about them enough, but they are a good example of how the best farm type birds do not interest anyone.
The Campine and Hamburg are good looking birds that could be good layers, and active on range. They are not going to eat as much as the big birds. I love a good looking Golden Campine. Some strains might not be as healthy as they should. I have heard that, but we hear a lot of things that are not true.
Cubalaya would be an excellent example.
I could name a lot more, and this could be debated until the end of time. On this point I am saying that the lighter breeds that eat less (and cost less), rustle up more of their own, and are as productive or more productive than the big birds are worth considering. They are the most neglected and overlooked. We prefer big, fluffy, and cuddly LOL.
The less they need, the more sustainable they are.
In third world countries what you see running around the farms are often games and game mixes. Our breeds started that way. Like the Dominique. We have moved up and past that for better, but I think there is a value and lesson there worth keeping in mind. That is what makes those birds sustainable.
