Silver Grey Dorking Roo - Anyone know anything about them?

[HennyJenny]

This is Worzel - he's about 13 to 14 weeks old. He doesn't look like any picture I've seen of Silver Grays - Is he going to? Im wondering if he's eventually going to feather out correctly or if this is it. These are my first dorkings and the hens at this age look just like every picture I've seen - Worzel is very pretty but he doesn't look like the Silver Gray Roosters I've seen.

Thanks!

Jenny

 

[RAREROO]

Yeah I think he will, Silver Grey Dorkings are genetically Silver Duckwing and most Silver duckwing colored roos take a little while to get the nice contrasting black and white patterning, but I think he will get there once he matures.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Yep... 6-8 months before they start looking like the photos... about a year before they really come into their own.

Patience.

This is what 19 weeks looks like.

 

[HennyJenny]

Wow he's gorgeous! Thanks for the picture!

ETA - I love the feathers on my dorkings - they are so soft!

 

[Mrs MIA]

You're welcome.

Glad to help!

 

[Qi Chicken]

I got into the whole chicken venture with the intent to raise Dorkings. Don't ask me why, I just had to! I have successfully raised my first barnyard mix and so am fairly confident that I will not kill off the last of the Dorkings. How many breeders are there? Where are they and what varieties do they raise? I taught a class on endangered species and the Dorkings for some reason really caught my eye. (and

) I will probably want eggs in the spring of 2011. What research do I need to do and who do I need to talk to? Great looking roo btw!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
IMHO, there is a reason they're on the endangered list... they are (so far for me) hard to hatch, and can be rather fragile as babies. Once they get past the teenage stage, they're hardy little boogers.

I've heard talk that they need a special diet, but I haven't been able to find the book that is referenced. My husband wanted them just so he could say he raises "Dorks"...

I love the idea of keeping the breed going, and they are very good in the cold temps here. Their combs are spectacular, and the single combs are prone to frostbite so be sure to keep them safe and secure in the winter. Otherwise, they're not overly friendly, but not stand-off-ish either. A very nice large bird, good eggs, good moms, and tasty, too!

Hey... sometimes you wind up with a lot of extra roosters....