Dominique Thread!

[JediJinx]

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 would guess these are a cross with barred rock based on face and comb features (based on pic). However, if you want to go ahead with them, the fourth one down has the nicest comb. Combs will continue to grow and get fuller even after 1 yr old. Above poster is right, BODY TYPE is number one in Doms, then Comb and Color. Look at the schiller photos in the APA SOP for the correct type and color.

 

[lazy gardener]

FarmerMac: I would agree that comb on #4 looks the nicest. However, I also think one thing that is often overlooked is personality. #4 looks like he's not quite as mature as #1. So... his behavior may still be emerging. But you might want to try letting each boy have some time alone with the hens, and see how he responds to them when he does not have competition from the rest of the boys. Good luck in making your selection. One of the most fun things of breeding your own birds, IMO is selecting for the traits that you want to carry on in future generations.

 

[FarmerMac]

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.

 

[THeelChickinKY]

@JulesChicks

Go with Nantahala Dominiques. We hatched out some of our first chickens from there. We kept all 3 roosters we hatched because they were too sweet, mannerly, and beautiful. The hens are wonderful, too. We barely provide grain for them because they forage so well. We keep other breeds, but we adore the Dominiques we hatched from Nantahala eggs and we have enjoyed their beautiful offspring, too.

 

[Alaskan]

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.

It looks like the best body type is the one top left with the super ugly super spikey comb.

However, it is difficult to see the actual body shape of #2 and 3. The last two are clear culls in my book. The last two have bad body shape and bad combs.

So, were I you I would look clearly at the first three and look at legs (the leg color looked good for all of them, but you need to look at them straight on from the front or back to see how the legs are. Remember you want them nice and square, from the front or back they should look straight).

See if that evaluation kicks any out of the running.

Next pick them up and feel their spine and their keel and make sure both are good and straight without any oddness. You also want the hip points that point towards the back, on either side of their vent to be widely spaced and not have any odd hooks on them etc.

If the top three also pass that.... Then look at combs, and then temperament as well as what your girls look like.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh, as far as breeders... The best BY FAR is @centrarchid you need to drive to his place, he doesn't ship.


After that, Duane Urch is pretty good, he ships but is SUPER difficult to buy from since he is totally old school (no internet stuff, you need to mail him a check)


Third choice, is Cackle. Super easy to order from, and their stock is true Dom, not Barred Rock.

Do NOT get only one male, whatever way you go.

Even the best breeder can't guarantee that gold will pop out of every egg. You want a minimum of 6 roosters to choose from, 20 or more sure would be better. Ditto with the girls.

 

[JulesChicks]

@JulesChicks

Go with Nantahala Dominiques. We hatched out some of our first chickens from there. We kept all 3 roosters we hatched because they were too sweet, mannerly, and beautiful. The hens are wonderful, too. We barely provide grain for them because they forage so well. We keep other breeds, but we adore the Dominiques we hatched from Nantahala eggs and we have enjoyed their beautiful offspring, too.

Thank you so much for the feedback! With little kids having sweet and mannerly roosters is paramount. We had a beautiful Blue Copper Marans that we had to dispatch because he started becoming aggressive to the kids, well all of us, at only 16 weeks - and he was big! His hatch mate is mostly behaving himself. However, as much I as I love the beauty of the Marans and their eggs, I really want a heritage breed that is also more friendly and our Marans are aloof. Did you also try her Cream Brabanters? What other breeds do you keep? Thanks again!

 

[Alaskan]

I think her birds look too fluffy.....

 

[JulesChicks]

Oh, as far as breeders... The best BY FAR is @centrarchid you need to drive to his place, he doesn't ship.

After that, Duane Urch is pretty good, he ships but is SUPER difficult to buy from since he is totally old school (no internet stuff, you need to mail him a check)


Third choice, is Cackle. Super easy to order from, and their stock is true Dom, not Barred Rock.

Do NOT get only one male, whatever way you go.

Even the best breeder can't guarantee that gold will pop out of every egg. You want a minimum of 6 roosters to choose from, 20 or more sure would be better. Ditto with the girls.

Thanks Alaskan!

I have to say it is so frustrating trying to find breeders - especially when they don't have a web presence. I get it, it's a PITA to build one and keep it up, etc, but how are these heritage breeds going to be preserved if the quality specimens are so hard to get a hold of? I've been paying attention to centrarchid's posts, but yeah, he's too far as I'm in WA state. Great to know that Cackle at least has pure Dom, and it's a huge plus that they are working to improve what they have as well. I'm not sure if I want to go with 40 birds next spring in one breed, but maybe. I'm vacillating between wanting several breeds or maybe just 1 or 2.

 

[FarmerMac]

Alaskan,
Thanks for the advice. I will take a look at their posture and temperament.