I may get some female Dorkings in the spring. And I want to know if they are a good bird? Are their spurs dangerous? Does anyone have these birds? Do you have any thoughts about whether this would be a good backyard bird? Do they go good with other hens? Thank you for your help. Matthew (really from my sister, Elisabeth)
I've never had Dorkings, although they were on my list of possible dual purpose breeds. They were not available from the hatchery I bought from. I don't have experience with them, but from studying them I think they would be a good backyard bird and would mix well with other breeds. I especially like what the Henderson Chart says about them. Feathersite has some good pictures. From your comment on spurs, it sounds like you may be a bit afraid of chickens. I don't think Dorkings will be any more dangerous than any other breed from a handling aspect, but I don't have direct experience with them. The Henderson chart http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html Feathersite http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
I only have one Silver Grey cockeral that just turned six months old and I have to say I really like him. He's very personable and quite the character, but I 've handled him a lot since he was three days old. I hope to get a couple of hens in the spring also.
We have one silver grey rooster. He is a very docile, very sweet bird, and, we haven't handled him much. There doesn't seem to be a mean bone in his body, unlike our RIR rooster. He is so nice we are planning on getting more next spring.
Well they are considered good barnyard birds, bring a good carcass, go broody are good moms. They are docile although some roo's can have a nasty streak but generally a good barnyard bird, just watch out for frostbite.
Quote: My boy got frostbite on his comb and a small area on one of his wattles a few weeks ago. I think the wattle will be okay, but he's going to lose at least the tips of his comb.
The Dorking roosters have VERY impressive combs, and are very susceptible to frostbite. Putting vaseline on them does seem to help, though there are differing views on that. The hens are very sweet, docile creatures. The roos I've had are cautiously protective, best I can describe it. Their spurs will get large, but with careful trimming, you can keep them at bay. We use a dremmel tool to sand them down, and at least round them so they don't do any damage. Can't say that I've had an overly agressive roo, but as most are protective of their ladies, you never know what they might do. They get along quite well with the other breeds, and are good mothers.
As far as spurs, an elderly lady who has raised chickens all her life showed me a trick. You take a pair of pliers, catch the rooster and hold him securely. Grip the base of the spur with the pliers and twist. They break loose and pop off very easily. No or very little bleeding, doesn't seem to hurt the rooster, and he can't tear the girls up for a while -- until the spur grows back. Have to repeat about once a year, I think. Kathleen, who has had Dorkings on the 'to-get' list for a long time
Thank you for all your help. I got two female Dorkings that will come on March 21 2010! I still am going to need some help, so if you have any information on this breed then please post it on this thread! From Matthew's sister Elisabeth
Dorkings have" fine-textured meat," a trait highly valued in chicken meat. They don't scratch as much as other breeds, though they're still "good foragers." "Hens readily go broody...and are excellent mothers. They lay a fair amount of large, creamy white eggs. Though the roos' combs can freeze, "the hens are quite hardy and will continue to lay well throughout the winter...good dual-purpose breed ...great choice for backyard birds..." No, I don't have Dorkings- but I hope these quotes will help you! They're from Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds.
