Dominique Thread!

[wsmith]

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a Dominique breeder. I live in Northern California and have found one small company in my area that "can get" Dominiques, but I'm assuming they mean from a hatchery (they sell pullets). I'm not completely averse to hatchery chicks, but I would like to get the healthiest and prettiest birds I can find. I don't have plans to breed, but who knows. (We are just starting our flock.) I went to a show last weekend and there were no Dominiques. Someone told me they are more popular on the East Coast? Would love it if you could point me in the right direction.

Go to FB and join the American Dominique group. Post the question there. There are a few good Dom breeders in California.

 

[kimmerjo]

I was thinking of getting 3 Dominiques. Any suggestions? Are they good with kids?

 

[chickenlver2013]

I was thinking of getting 3 Dominiques. Any suggestions? Are they good with kids?

Very good with kids

 

[Julic]

I have got one that was given to me as a young adult. She wont let my grand daughters or me pick her up and she backs off if you try to pet her but she is the first one to run up to us and eat out of our hand. She would let me pick her up when I first got her but my hens are free range and I think that makes them a little wilder over time since they are not in a run and I cant pick them up all the time.

She is very sweet though and talks to me when I talk to her. I ordered a Dominique chick since "Rosie" is so sweet. Looking forward to getting it soon. I would recommend you get one from what I have seen.

 

[wsmith]

Pen 3, Lot and his girls

Pen 4, Isaac and his girls.

 

[centrarchid]

Picture of male appears doctored, no frost bite. Most of mine have frostbite, even when roosting in garage. Simply walking outside during one of the more extreme days was a problem. Humor intended but my combs lost some points.

 

[wsmith]

Picture of male appears doctored, no frost bite.  Most of mine have frostbite, even when roosting in garage. Simply walking outside during one of the more extreme days was a problem.  Humor intended but my combs lost some points.

LOL. Neither of these two cockerels got frostbitten. The #3 backup cockerel got some bad frostbite, but is healed up. Another reason oversized combs and wattles are bad for cold climates. Isaac was in a knockdown-dragout fight with Ishmael, but has healed up pretty good. Ishmael, the backup, now has a mishaped comb and one wattle is longer than the other.......

Lot's breast feathers are getting messed up cuz love is in the air.......

 

[wsmith]

Here is a closeup of Lot from the same photo:

 

[centrarchid]

Biggest challenge featherwise has come from exposure to freezing rain. A couple roosters walked off roost without their butts back in December.

 

[DraigAthar]

Biggest challenge featherwise has come from exposure to freezing rain.  A couple roosters walked off roost without their butts back in December.

LOL, I bet that was a surprise for them. We've had such a cold snap lately that I had a few hens with frozen poop-sicles on their butt fluff. One was bad enough that I feared it would start blocking her vent, so I trimmed off the feathers. Poor girl has a breezy bottom now, but I figured it was the better option. But we're due warmer weather this weekend! And at this point, anything even approaching freezing point is 'warm', haha.