The Dominique
breed developed from the fowl introduced during the early settlement of New
England. These were of the type predominating in the south of England and from
which the Sussex and Dorking descended. This stock was widely distributed in
the Eastern half of the United States by mid 19th century. The breed was
generally known as Dominiques except in the region of origin where they were
known as Plymouth Rock and occasionally as Pilgrim Fowls. The differentiation
between Plymouth Rock and Dominique was not made until 1870 when the management
of the New York state poultry show ruled that only rose combed fowl of
intermediate size could compete as Dominiques, and that all medium and large
single combed fowl of this color would be known as Plymouth Rocks. A small
single combed bird of this color was called a Dominique Leghorn.
A great increase
in popular interest began in 1875 with the "improved" type finding an
enthusiastic response among exhibitors and farmers. The breed was never used
commercially, and was eventually eclipsed on the farm by the gradual shift to
"Plymouth Rocks" when the preferred type of "Dominique" had
been transformed into the "Plymouth Rock."
Dominiques have
many advantages besides their handsome appearance. They are hardy, do well on
open range as well as in confinement, are generally calm by nature and are easy
to work with and show. They hatch well, are early feathering, mature young, and
are of moderate size. The American Poultry Association's Standard of
Excellence indicates that cocks run 7 pounds; cockerels, 6 pounds; hens, 5
pounds; and pullets, 4 pounds. The females are good mothers, reasonably good
layers of light to dark brown, and show less tendency toward broodiness than
many other exhibition breeds. There are both large and bantam Dominiques.
Dominiques are also good meat birds.
While for many
years Dominiques were very rare, they are no longer a "lost breed".
There has recently been a revival of interest in them which has placed them in
a unique category of their being uncommon enough to be interesting and unusual,
but not so common as to be a "me, too" breed.
The Dominique is
a medium sized bird with black and white barring over the entire body. The rose
comb is characteristic. A dual propose breed, these birds were kept to produce
brown eggs and chicken for the pot. The heavy plumage not only protected the
birds in cold weather, but provided material for pillows and featherbeds. The
plumage coloration also made them less conspicuous to predators. They were
expected to make a part of their living by foraging and to raise a clutch or
two of chicks each year.
For additional information:
For additional information:
Dominique Club of America
Reference:
The American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Illustration:
Watt Publishing, 122 S. Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris, IL 61054 USA
Photographs:
Dominique Club
of America, Mark A. Fields, Clark, Missouri.
0 comments:
Post a Comment