Dominiques? Dominekers? :::added::: Help with sexing please?

[HorseFeathers]

BRs, not Dominiques.

 

[junebug7334]

qYep.......guess I had egg on my face when I purchased my first chickens which were Dominiques from a very clean and pure line from a lady named Laurie that used to breed them. THEN one day this little ole country man said "yep I tried to buy some of her DOMINEKERS and she wanted 10.00 a bird for 'em" I told her NOBODY would pay that!" Cute.......but the comb is one difference and I think- esp in the Roos, that the personality is WAY different.
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[SeramaSweetie]

Yes, you are correct, DOMINEKKER is supposed to stand for Dominique in southern speak. They look like Barred Rocks.

 

[moduckman]

Inbreeding chickens is not a bad thing at all. As a matter of fact to improve your line it is often encouraged. The secret, as one long-time breeder told me, is "father-daughter, mother-son, but not brother-sister". this is how they build the quality flocks of champion breeders.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
I acquired some Dominiques 2 years ago to establish a heritage flock at the Farmers Museum in Cooperstown, NY. I got them from an old boy who had kept a closed flock [no new blood] for over 50 years. I was delighted to have found such a pure strain.
Do this: as you cull after your first year's hatck keep your best oung male & as many young females as you want. When you want to hatch more mate father to daughter & mother to son. Keep following that pattern & you'll be fine.

 

[moduckman]

Jay13, I am impressed you went to such lengths. Mark Fields is pleased you researched his book. He used to live a couple of towns over from me. Nice fellow and smart person with not only Dominiques, but show chickens as well. Still works with kids, but doesn't show. Had Eagle trouble getting birds when living in Columbia. Good luck with the Doms.

 

[Jay13]

I actually had to contact him to get a copy of it via his website, couldn't find one anywhere to buy. I will have to find a way to finagle my husband into letting me get some Doms from a farm near here, the gal shows them at fairs and such and she sells young roosters at a good price. Trying to figure out what we are doing right now and don't want to put too much into more birds when I am still experiencing the learning curve. On the good side, my birds are lucky, once they figure out they can go outside, they will have an acre of orchard to free range on that is protected from the big bad nastys from all but the sky.


I hope I don't wind up with a hawk problem.... Great, something else to worry about.

 

[Eggseronious]

Hi Jay! Glad to see that you are leaning toward Dominique's. Mark's book has a wealth of information in it, and if not for others that collected data, pics, and preserved the breed it truly would be extinct. I invite you to join the Dominique Club if you want to meet and find other breeders of the true Dominique. I let mine free range only to lock them up in a 8x12 chicken wagon at night. You wont lose as many hens as roosters (to heavy to fly any distance) Now these Doninique hens can do a pretty good flight before hitting the ground.

 

[Jay13]

Thanks

I think I found a good local breeder here in the area, they say they have show quality birds which isn't exactly what I am looking for but will take what I can get.

First its probably good that I am getting a feel for chickens with 'generic' barred birds. I will probably wind up talking DH into acquiring some birds later on specifically to breed, but he is more interested in a) do they lay eggs b) do they taste good c) will they pretty much take care of themselves without a whole lot of fuss. ... lol . We have an acre of yard that is our orchard fenced in for their use and benefit but right now they won't even set foot outside of their coop but for a min or two. I'm guessing they don't like the wind.

Here is my crew... I think I got everyone in...

I *think* I may have 5 roos. two lighter ones upper left, big red face in the center and two more lighter ones toward the back on the right. I notice that all of them with the exception of mr red face (who is also mr. pasty butt from my other post in the medical section) are larger, perhaps older? and the 4 of them square off and puff up a lot... is this typical 16-18week behavior? When do I have to start thinking harder about culling out the ones I can't keep?

Thanks for playing the guessing game with me

Edited to add pic.

 

[HorseFeathers]

I spot two definite roos and one possible roo.