Chicken Breed Focus - Dominique

[sumi]

The Dominique also known as Dominicker or Pilgrim Fowl, originated in the USA during the colonial period. It is considered America's oldest breed of chicken, likely descending from chickens brought to New England from southern England during colonial times. By the 19th century, they were very popular and were raised in many parts of the country. Dominiques are a dual purpose breed, being valued for their table bird qualities as well as for their brown eggs. In earlier times, their feathers were much sought after as stuffing for pillows and mattresses.

After the Plymouth Rock breed was developed from the Dominiques in the 1870s, the Dominiques' popularity declined, and by the 1950 they were so rare, they were considered nearly extinct. During the 1970s, Dominiques were listed in "Critical" status with fewer than 500 breeding birds in North America. However, due to a revival of interest in them and other rare breeds, the Dominiques have made a comeback and are now listed on the "Watch" list, indicating lesser danger of extinction.

Details:

Breed Purpose Dual Purpose
Comb Rose
Broodiness Average
Climate Tolerance All Climates
Egg Productivity Medium
Egg Size Medium
Egg Color Brown
Breed Temperament Friendly, Easily handled, Calm, Bears confinement well, Quiet, Docile
Breed Colors/Varieties Correct Dominique barring is not quite black on not quite white, and the bars are staggered, rather than the parallel and sharply contrasting black and white barring of the Barred Rock.
Breed Size Large Fowl


Pic by @LaurenM23


Pic by @Osprey


Pic by @Chris09


Pic by @WallTenters


Pic by @WallTenters

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/dominique

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/301766/dominique-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/568590/dominiques/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1019004/investing-more-in-american-dominiques/0_30

Do you own Dominiques? Are you a Dominique breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Pretty birds!
They are on my list of "wants" for sure!

 

[Nardo]

So true about popularity. My mother-in-law, who is 82, says that when she was growing up everyone had Dominique chickens. When I had a barred rock, she thought that it was a Dominique. Great pics!

 

[cupofJoelene]

DORE this breed!

 

[Chaos18]

I have some of these and they are awesome.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So true about popularity. My mother-in-law, who is 82, says that when she was growing up everyone had Dominique chickens. When I had a barred rock, she thought that it was a Dominique. Great pics!

I agree. I have 2 Barred Rocks and my 85yr old Mom calls them Dominikers

she had some when growing up.

 

[walkonwatereh]

How do they fare in extreme cold-30-40? The roosters in particular?

 

[aplynn]

I have a rooster and a hen, very sweet birds

 

[itsallnew]

We have two hens. They are great.

 

[gfvirga]

We love ours!!!
I am not sure if mine is pure bred, but the one they sold me as Dominique has a very unique character.

· What made you decide to get this breed?
We wanted a barred rock first, but I saw how this was in the danger list, so we decided to try both!
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
We have it for eggs!
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
Our chick is very happy, she is so perky and an escape artist, I can't believe how fast 7 weeks chicken runs. She was also the first of our flock to learn to use the coop stars up and down.
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

7 weeks (Yesterday)

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