Dominiques

[JedJackson]

I just placed an order for 10 Dom pullets. I’ve read up a little about the breed and their tendencies. So my question to Dom owners is are they really as docile/friendly as many say they are? What are your favorite traits in this breed? Thanks.

They are an excellent breed and the oldest American breed of all. I've found them to be pretty mellow for their size but they are definitely active. They are good layers and eat less than larger breeds, so they are more economical even if their eggs are a little smaller. And the eggs are brown. Around here buyers prefer brown eggs so that is a real bonus.

 

[song of joy]

Temperament, broodiness, and conformation to type will depend a great deal on the line from which the dominiques come.

My hatchery dominique was very docile and friendly. She never went broody. She had a large rose comb and looked very much like a cross between a dominique and a barred plymouth rock, which is understandable, since many hatcheries will cross dominiques with barred rocks to improve egg production.

I have several dominiques from a breeder that has consistently bred his line to the SOP. These dominiques have very good type for the breed, and look very different from the hatchery dominiques that I've seen. They go broody and are very good setters and mothers. One was so protective of her young that she would chase other hens out of the coop. They are very good foragers and are alert to their surroundings, including predators. They are independent and don't tend to seek out human company (except for treats), but then they weren't handled much as chicks. Eggs are medium during the first laying season, but by the second laying season are large.