The Dorking Breeders thread

[Dirt Farmer]

I've struggled with the weight on the males of all the breeds I've kept. I like to read old poultry publications that are in the public domain on the internet. I wish I remembered the source but one of them advised choosing the cock with the biggest frame, and the hen with the most muscle. The theory being obviously that some of the offspring will get the male's big frame and the female's muscling. I haven't tried it but it intrigues me. One thing I have tried which I do think helped was to separate the pullets and cockerels as soon as you can tell them apart. I suspect this would be very early with SGD. Many people already do this but I was growing them out until I had to separate them. Apparently it delays the maturity of the cockerels to separate and they grow bigger. It creates less drama for all of them for sure.

 

[Sydney Acres]

I've read from many breeders that they're very happy with one gender, but the other gender fails to meet their expectations. Some breeders keep two lines, one for the pullets and one for the cockerels. I guess getting great birds in both genders with the same line is the ultimate step towards success.

Even if they're not perfect, I still think your birds are beautiful.

 

[KittieChick]

Picked up my trio from a gal up here where I live. I like them. They're young. Should be a good start I think. Made it ahead of the rain, and so I hope they figure out how to get up into the coop. I'm amazed at how nicely they all get along. The rooster has never lived with a hen. He's walking around flapping his wings, but no vocalizations, yet.

 

[3riverschick]

I didn't know Dorkings came in Black Breasted Red. It's one of my fav colors. Just lovely.
Congrats,
Karen

 

[ki4got]

I didn't know Dorkings came in Black Breasted Red. It's one of my fav colors. Just lovely.
Congrats,
Karen

that's what the Red Dorking is...

 

[MacCana]

Still looking for eggs/day olds

 

[kimberly35042]

MacCana -- where are you located? That might help put you in touch with someone who doesn't ship.

 

[MacCana]

kimberly35042 : I live about 45 minutes from Chattanooga, TN. Or about half an hour from the Tennessee-Alabama line. I'm willing to drive up to 4 hours round trip. My only requirement is that they come from disease-free stock. I'm willing to bend a little on the quality. I have plenty of time to work on that. I'd love, love, love to find at least 2 separate sources to start out with.

 

[kimberly35042]

Well hot doggie then! lol I'll be happy to set you up with some reds. They aren't perfect (none are), but they are a dang fine start on type and size.

I just set 50 eggs Sunday

AND I'm about an hour from the TN/AL border. 35040

 

[MacCana]

FREAKIN' YES

!

Thanks so much Kimberly! I preferred SG's because that's all I've had so far, but am open to any of the correct color standards at the end of the day. My overall goal is to help the breed no matter what.

What is your price? And you've not had any past troubles with Mycoplasma and other resp issues in your breeding stock correct??? I *must* make super sure of that! I will also have other breeds of hens mingling with my Dorks bc I will be selling their eggs for eating/hatching. So I'm trying to start clean and practice "all in" "all out" biosecurity practices.

Once I get the breeds I need, I won't be taking in anymore birds. At least not for a few years.

Also, what line(s) do your reds hail from? Just out of curiosity

I know as much about the different lines as I do flying a plane (not a pilot here

), but it's never bad to know anyway...