Dominique Thread!

[Alaskan]

Your both welcome

 

[Sylvester017]

Thanks for posting the question @BusyBearMama and for the answer Sylvester, as I've been meaning to ask this myself. I've been looking into Doms to add to my flock next Spring and considering hatching eggs and chicks. I had read here that Mark Fields has started consulting with Cackle Hatchery on their Dominique program - my question is, if he started consulting this year, how long before Cackle's stock is decent - well at least not the usual hatchery stock? Does anyone have any feedback on Nantahala Farms Doms - she sells hatching eggs only and is in NC. Or Gardienne Wings? They both have been on BYC in the past but I don't think they are regulars. I haven't found anything else with a google search. The next step is to become a member of the Dominique Club of America in order to get their breeder list- I'm just want to be 100% on Doms before I make that step. I don't mind starting with good quality hatchery stock as long as temperament is representative of the breed. Then if I know they work for my family I can take the time to find quality stock if I decide to breed them.

Hi JulesChicks - I'm going to try Cackle in a couple years because I don't need any more pullets at present. I might even contact dare2dream in my State if they are still in business in a couple years but it would have to be by advance order in the Fall to get by the following Spring - I want to be able to see my Dom before pickup if I go w/ dare2dream. Sounds like you are in a bigger hurry than me to get Doms. Be persistent in your search if you need Doms now. And don't be discouraged if you don't get "perfect" Doms to start. It's a dedicated project and even good stock can throw you some stinker offspring. Someone commented they liked their Nanthala Farms and even Othala Acres Doms but I can't vouch personally but only by feedback. Much GL to you!

 

[Sylvester017]

I need some advice from all of you that have Dominique chickens.
I have some roosters and I am trying to decide which one I should keep to breed with the hens. All of them are from the same batch. One of them has larger waddles and comb. He was the one to develop the fastest, had a bright red comb and waddles before the other ones. The others have a smaller comb and waddle. One of them has a straight comb. All of them have the same feather pattern except the one with the larger comb, his looks darker than the other ones.
Here are the pictures
This is the one with the biggest comb and waddles





This one has the straight comb

I like the top roo's comb/wattles but would have to see the body type too. I'm not a fan of short wattles or wierd rosecombs of the other roos - so hard to get everything perfect in ONE bird! GL with your breeding project - I LUV Doms!

 

[FarmerMac]

I like the top roo's comb/wattles but would have to see the body type too. I'm not a fan of short wattles or wierd rosecombs of the other roos - so hard to get everything perfect in ONE bird! GL with your breeding project - I LUV Doms!

Here is a full body picture. He is darker than the other so I don't think I am going to keep it for breeding. As for the large comb/waddles, we don't get too cold during the winter here in Northern VA but I had a couple of RIR rooster loose part of their comb to frostbite, I had to trim the black parts.

 

[centrarchid]

I tried to get side body pictures but they don't cooperate. I had to use a cord to keep them from runnig away. They are still young, they all hatched late April of this year.

Getting birds to stand well to display type is tough. You have a couple birds that have better type than others. Score them high for that. You have three birds that rose combs or at least something close. Score those high for that. You got some with beefy combs a too much bumpyness, deduct points. A couple birds appear dark, deduct points. Discard all but best two. Breed those to best hens so you also know momma of chicks. I would use both males so each hen gives you two broods, Keep best only from hens that give consistently best offspring. You will likely 90% of what you raise and have repeat over several generations. You are not at a point for consideration of line breeding.

 

[centrarchid]

You also have a tail problem with some. With birds shown, best tail coupled with poor comb.

 

[FarmerMac]

Centrarchid,
Thanks for the feedback. This is my first time raising Dominiques, I got me some eggs from a BYC member that lives in the area so this is what I have so far.

 

[FarmerMac]

Thank you all for the input. First time with Doms, just trying to learn more about this breed.

 

[Alaskan]

Keep looking at the idea Dom photo... It helps alot to have the ideal stuck in your brain.

 

[harley587]

I don't have any Dominiques yet, but they are the first chicken breed I plan to get and hope to get some soon!!!