The Dorking Breeders thread

[Dirt Farmer]

I'm calling for opinions.

I have 4 pullets and 2 cockerels. My early breeding goals are to first just build some numbers, and second to try to grow some size on these birds.

Would it be better to rotate the males with all four females, waiting 6 weeks in between to know parentage? Or to select two trios, say one focusing on size and the other on color (or more likely what's left over)? Some other plan?

Also I had always planned on breeding in the end of Sept or early Oct when they will be about one year old, but I'm thinking I may get better chicks by letting the parents mature a little longer and breeding in February, which is a more natural time of year for chicks to grow out? I know breeding now doesn't preclude breeding later, but space is a premium.

All thoughts are appreciated.

 

[kimberly35042]

Quote:
Actually he's decided to keep them on a more limited basis. A great decision I might add. I believe he said he won't be offering chicks for sale in the future which hopefully will help him keep his sanity. People just don't understand having a full time job, running a farm (full time++) and trying to answer every email---like "how do I take care of these chicks I just bought from you". Frustrating at best.

 

[kimberly35042]

I'm calling for opinions.

I have 4 pullets and 2 cockerels. My early breeding goals are to first just build some numbers, and second to try to grow some size on these birds.

Would it be better to rotate the males with all four females, waiting 6 weeks in between to know parentage? Or to select two trios, say one focusing on size and the other on color (or more likely what's left over)? Some other plan?

Also I had always planned on breeding in the end of Sept or early Oct when they will be about one year old, but I'm thinking I may get better chicks by letting the parents mature a little longer and breeding in February, which is a more natural time of year for chicks to grow out? I know breeding now doesn't preclude breeding later, but space is a premium.

All thoughts are appreciated.

The simple answer is do what is best for you and your environment. With only 6 Dorkings, I'd pair however is easiest for you and amplify your numbers first. Breeding trios would be an easy way to know at least 1/2 of your genetics. Good luck!

 

[DesertChic]

Actually he's decided to keep them on a more limited basis. A great decision I might add. I believe he said he won't be offering chicks for sale in the future which hopefully will help him keep his sanity. People just don't understand having a full time job, running a farm (full time++) and trying to answer every email---like "how do I take care of these chicks I just bought from you". Frustrating at best.

I am so glad he's keeping them a bit longer!!! (Even if he isn't selling chicks.)

I can totally empathize with his work load. My husband and I own a business. There are never enough hours in the day for everything that needs to get done.

 

[ki4got]

personally, with limited numbers I'd say if your roosters are all about equal, use one, hatch for a while, rotate... band the chicks so you know which rooster is the sire.

not every rooster will throw his best with every hen. some individual pairings will be better than others. at least with a rotating rooster scheme you will know the sire of each chick and set up your future breeders with that in mind... some will throw better pullets, others better cockerels, and future breeding groups can be set up with that in mind, depending what you're looking for. personally I would not breed pullet/cockerels together from the same sire, but short of that it's a good start. you might look into rotational line breeding. that would be a good start for few numbers to maximize the genetic diversity.

I'm planning a rotational system with mine (hopefully next year once my pens are all done) where I will be doing just that. breeding all the hens to each rooster for a period and hatching heavy, then the next year start my rotational pens with offspring from those prior breedings, pullets grouped by sire to begin with, cockerels each with another sire's group. then each year keep the best number (x) pullets from each pen (pullets stay in same pen as mothers) and the best cockerel from each pen will go to the next down the row. last pen cockerel moves to first pen. (1-2-3-4-1-...) by doing it this way you're minimizing the inbreeding. Bob Blosl had some good articles explaining this.

 

[NevaehFeathers]

Where would be the best place to purchase Dorkings? I've read about them and have started this desire to breed them in the future, maybe next year. Advice on what farms? Maybe getting a bunch from a few different breeders to cross lines with? Any advice and direction is appreciated.

 

[Fowl Explorer]

What is your purpose for purchasing the Dorkings? If it is to breed them then there are options - local breeders, call the Livestock Breed Conservancy, attend a show or swap meet, etc.

 

[NevaehFeathers]

To sustain our family as a part of our homestead. Preserve the breed, breed purely and sell some, eat eggs and harvest older birds. Not large mass breeding, they would be free range. I know someone who shows chickens, I would consider showing, maybe down the rd.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Where would be the best place to purchase Dorkings? I've read about them and have started this desire to breed them in the future, maybe next year. Advice on what farms? Maybe getting a bunch from a few different breeders to cross lines with? Any advice and direction is appreciated.

What color are you looking for? Where are you located? Do you want day old chicks, fertile eggs, or a breeding trio/quad selected by an experienced breeder? Are you ok with shipping, or do you need someone local (and how do you define local)? Are you looking for hatchery quality, or do you want better stock?

 

[Fowl Explorer]

I was looking for a productive bird that was also a survivalist, had some broodiness, and could forage well. I also wanted a bird that reflected the old style of farmstead birds, and looked nice. I suggest that you contact the Livestock Breed Conservancy and tell them you want to breed Dorkings and who has some really good bloodlines. LBC is more concerned with having Dorkings be of the size and productivity that they were meant to be, not just appearances.

Anyway, that's my bias.

I ordered from Sand Hill Preservation center, and the birds forage very well and are very pretty. They grow as slowly as I expected, and do finally get big. I have decided to keep the hens and get some different Dorkings next year to breed with them. This strain is stand-off-ish, and I am looking for the "friendly" strain.

Barb