Introduction:
The following links are provided that you might learn more about the Dominique chicken. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without express written consent from Mark A. Fields.
Introduction:Recently, I alluded to our Breeder's Directory and commented on the number of breeders willing and able to share stock. For those breeders listed, I indicated what they have to sell (i.e., eggs, chicks, or older birds). I also listed their primary emphasis: exhibition, production or genetic preservation. I would like add some comments.
First, exhibition. Poultry shows according to the Poultry Press "are the show windows of the Standard Bred Poultry Industry." Shows are where we hear about and see in real life the various standard breeds of poultry. If a breed is seen and admired at a show, interest in that breed can lead to new owners and breeders. If a breed is absent then it is not seen and most likely no interest is created. Usually it is "out of sight - out of mind." So I think exhibitions of Dominiques are very important to the growth of the breed. I encourage each of you to find the poultry Club in your area, join it and show your Dominiques. Make new friends and have fun. Make sure people have Dominiques to look at when attending shows.
Second, production. People expect chickens to lay eggs. So from the "Standard for Utility Breeds," which includes the Dominique, we expect production. I had a different breed for a while. They were supposedly a "better" laying breed. They
were the show strain and I soon concluded that show was about all they were good for. Didn't lay as good as my Doms
so my fling with another breed was short-lived. They just didn't measure up to the Dominiques. So here too I think production is important in keeping people's interest in the breed.
Third, genetic preservation. I'm not a show person at heart. In fact the main reason I show is to promote the breed. If there is a show "by crackie there ought to be several Dominikers there." As for production, so far, the commercial poultry industry has managed to feed us pretty well. I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, however. I think the system may be more fragile than we know, not to mention what the poultry is fed. I'm a homesteader at heart. I like having my own chickens and eggs.
Back to genetic conservation, Most of you know we almost lost the Dominique. If not for a very small handful of hard-headed breeders, the Dominique would not be here for us now or for anyone, ever, in the future. Those folks did their part; NOW, now, it's our turn: My turn, your turn. If we don't breed and preserve, it's good bye Dominiques - forever. We need to realize it could happen. Dozens of breeds of domestic livestock have become extinct. So exhibition, production and genetic preservation are all important.
Poultry judge, Mr. Will Burton from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, referred to the Dominique in a recent report on his club's poultry show. He referred to the Dominique as "this magnificent old breed." Let's all take a turn in preserving and promoting "this magnificent old breed."
As an admirer of exhibition poultry, you are invited to consider the Dominique.
Dominiques have many advantages besides their handsome appearance. They are hardy, do well on open range and in confinement, are generally calm by nature and are easy to work with and show. They hatch well, feather early, mature young, and are of moderate size. As indicated in the Standard, cocks run 7 pounds; cockerels, 6 pounds; hens, 5 pounds; and pullets, 4 pounds. The females are goodmothers, reasonably good layers of light to dark brown eggs, and show less tendency toward broodiness than many other exhibition breeds. For those of an even more practical turn of mind, Dominiques are good meat birds. There are both large and bantam Dominiques.
Although 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: They are uncommon enough to be interesting--not just another "me, too" breed-but breeding stock is available at reasonable prices.
Dominiques are characterized by their rose combs and their barred pattern, which comes from feathers crossed throughout
their entire length by irregular slate and light bars. The males are particularly striking, being characterized by the bright red comb, face, wattles and ear lobes and by the long, sweeping tail, which is the highest of the American breeds. The females are usually a few shades darker than the males and are smaller, usually plump, full breasted and have high tails. The Standard of Perfection contains a detailed description.
No later than 1750, barred chickens of relatively small size and usually with rose combs were common in some eastern parts of what is now the United States. With the later development of interest in poultry breeding, these barred chickens received increased attention and were bred to possess improved uniformity of type and size, although they still possessed either rose or single combs. Early writers tell us that they were plentiful on farms in the United States in the early 1800s. About the time of the first poultry show (Boston, 1849) those with rose combs came to be referred to as Dominiques, and as such were admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1874.
The breed was improved and became quite popular as a farm bird during the mid- to late 1800s. However, as new breeds
became popular, the Dominique large fowl became less common on farms. Writings from the turn of the century and after refer to their decline in popularity. Other writers subsequently stated that there were few Dominiques in the whole United States and predicted that soon there would be none.
This brief history presents what we know today. Only theories and speculation exist on the source of the original barred chickens of the 1750s, but there may be more to be learned by further study. As a matter of interest, many writers and breeders refer to the Dominique as American Dominique. The Standard of Perfection calls them by both names.
With the revival of interest in Dominiques, both large and bantam Dominiques are found in competition at a majority of the larger poultry shows, and frequently at smaller shows and state and local fairs. With recognition through best-of-breed and special awards offered by the poultry shows, plus awards offered by the Dominique Club of America and its members, there are plenty of opportunities for Dominique fanciers to enjoy meaningful competition and recognition with their birds.
To increase interest in and to help preserve Dominique large and bantam chickens, the Dominique Club of America was founded in early November, 1973, at Columbus during the Ohio National Show. Since then the Club has grown well and
the number of people keeping, breeding and showing Dominiques has increased significantly. Dominique Club activities include publishing the Dominique News four times a year, offering awards for Dominique winners at shows and holding an annual meet, at which friendly competition, fellowship and an exchange of ideas and suggestions are encouraged.
The Club also provides a central point for information on sources of Dominiques for new members as well as for breeding stock for those working on their own strains. The Club is active in searching out and assembling historical information on Dominiques.
The Club provides tangible recognition, including a Member of the Year Award, for the member making the most notable contribution to Dominiques in that year; and a Dominique Breeders' Hall of Fame, for those who have made a significant contribution toward preserving the Dominique breed. It also offers a Master Breeder Award, which members can earn by successful breeding and showing of large or bantam Dominiques.
The annual dues are $10.00. These dues along with generous donations make possible the club awards, publications and correspondence. Persons interested in joining should contact the Dominique Club of America
Some of these pages roughly correspond to chapters in The American Dominique and give an idea of the content, as well as providing information. Obviously, the entire contents of the book are not presented here, otherwise we wouldn't be able to sell the few remaining copies of the book!
Book Reviews of The American Dominique
Origin & Evolution of the Dominique
Detailed Characteristics of Dominiques
Characteristics as they have Varied
Dominiques Compared to Other Breeds
Genetics of the Dominique
Characteristics to Avoid
Breeding Dominiques
Dominiques as Fancy Fowl at the Shows
Dominique Bantams
Showing Dominiques
Judging of Dominiques at Poultry Shows
Dominique Breeders over the Years
Famous Dominiques
Folklore of the Dominique
Organizations Boosting Dominiques
Current Status of the Dominique
Suggested Readings on Dominiques