Iceblink: Thank you for the wonderful comments. I carry several breeds and the Dorkings do not make themselves noticed for their noise level. The rooster's crows are quieter than my two Jersey Giant roosters and no louder than my Mottled Java. They are louder than my Sumatras, but I think there is a size difference to take into consideration there. The Dorkings are quite a bit larger than the Sumatras. The hens are very quiet and calm, almost never caught cackling. I can't say never because I know I've caught them once or twice in the couple of years cackling while laying an egg. I have NEVER had an aggression issue with a Dorking rooster, and my hens are calm and laid back enough for me to grab them while they peck at my feet. Chicks tend to be a bit flighty, but I do not handle them often. I think many breeds are more flighty as chicks because they are raised in a brooder box looking at walls, only to be interrupted by a giant hand replacing their food and water. LOL
The one very unique factor about Dorking hens that makes me think they would be better, "neighbor-friendly" chickens, is that the hens almost always lay in the afternoon. All my other hens lay 9-10 in the morning, but my Dorkings seem to lay after 12, usually around 3-4 PM. If they cackle, they cackle while laying eggs, and instead of rousing the sleeping neighbor, they are cackling while the children are getting off the bus or the family is still at work and school.
As for going broody, my experience with the Dorkings, is that the hens start laying much earlier in the season than my other breeds. Then as the other breeds are starting to get in their laying cycle, the Dorkings begin to go broody. If you have one Dorking hen, or any other hen that is housed with your Dorkings, go broody, it is best to remove them from the group. If one hen goes broody, the rest of the Dorkings like to jump on the band wagon. I had 2-3 of my hens go broody last year all about the same time. Instead of collecting eggs, I was throwing hens out of their nest, trying to break their broodiness.
If you allow their eggs to accumulate, Dorkings will go broody at least once a year. I found that by collecting eggs twice and day and making sure the fake eggs are distributed one to a nest, I can usually keep them laying.
They really are a great all round bird and I think many people fail to realize it. They are one of my most reliable layers, they grow quick, forage well, and go broody.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
-Kim
