DORKINGS.
This is one of the finest breeds, and especially English. A pure Dorking
is distinguished by an additional or fifth toe. There are several
varieties, which are all comprised in two distinct classes--the White
and the Coloured. The rose-combed white breed is _the_ Dorking of the
old fanciers, and most probably the original breed, from which the
coloured varieties were produced by crossing it with the old Sussex, or
some other large coloured fowl. "That such was the case," says Mr.
Wright, "is almost proved by the fact that only a few years ago nothing
was more uncertain than the appearance of the fifth toe in coloured
chickens, even of the best strains. Such uncertainty in any important
point is always an indication of mixed blood; and that it was so in this
case is shown by the result of long and careful breeding, which has now
rendered the fifth toe permanent, and finally established the variety."
Mr. Brent says: "The _old_ Dorking, the _pure_ Dorking, the _only_
Dorking, is the _White_ Dorking. It is of good size, compact and plump
form, with short neck, short white legs, five toes, a full rose-comb, a
large breast, and a plumage of spotless white. The practice of crossing
with a Game cock was much in vogue with the old breeders, to improve a
worn-out stock (which, however, would have been better accomplished by
procuring a fresh bird of the same kind, but not related). This cross
shows itself in single combs, loss of a claw, or an occasional red
feather, but what is still more objectionable, in pale-yellow legs and a
yellow circle about the beak, which also indicates a yellowish skin.
These, then, are faults to be avoided. As regards size, the White
Dorking is generally inferior to the Sussex fowl (or 'coloured
Dorking'), but in this respect it only requires attention and careful
breeding. The pure White Dorking may truly be considered as fancy stock,
as well as useful, because they will breed true to their points; but the
grey Sussex, Surrey or Coloured Dorking, often sport. To the breeders
and admirers of the so-called 'Coloured Dorkings' I would say, continue
to improve the fowl of your choice, but let him be known by his right
title; do not support him on another's fame, nor yet deny that the
rose-comb or fifth toe is essential to a Dorking, because your
favourites are not constant to those points. The absence of the fifth
claw to the Dorking would be a great defect, but to the Sussex fowl
(erroneously called a 'Coloured Dorking') it is my opinion it would be
an improvement, provided the leg did not get longer with the loss."
The fifth toe should not be excessively large, or too far above the
ordinary toe.
The White Dorking must have the plumage uniformly white, though in the
older birds the hackle and saddle may attain a light golden tint. The
rose-comb is preferable, and the beak and legs should be light and
clear.
The Coloured Dorking is now bred to great size and beauty. It is a
large, plump, compact, square-made bird, with short white legs, and
should have a well-developed fifth toe. The plumage is very varied, and
may have a wide range, and might almost be termed immaterial, provided a
coarse mealy appearance be avoided, and the pen is well matched. This
latitude in respect of plumage is so generally admitted that the
assertion "you cannot breed Dorkings true to colour," has almost
acquired the authority of a proverb. They may be shown with either rose
or single combs, but all the birds in a pen must match.
The Dorking is the perfection of a table bird, combining
delicately-flavoured white flesh, which is produced in greatest quantity
in the choicest parts--the breast, merry-thought, and wings--equal
distribution of fat, and symmetrical shape. Mr. Baily prefers the
Speckled or Grey to the White, as "they are larger, hardier, and fatten
more readily, and although it may appear anomalous, it is not less true
that white-feathered poultry has a tendency to yellowness in the flesh
and fat." Size is an important point in Dorkings. Coloured prize birds
weigh from seven to fourteen pounds, and eight months' chickens six or
seven pounds. The White Dorking is smaller.
They are not good layers, except when very young, and are bad winter
layers. The eggs are large, averaging 2-3/4 ounces, pure white, very
much rounded, and nearly equal in size at each end. The hen is an
excellent sitter and mother. The chickens are very delicate, requiring
more care when young than most breeds, and none show a greater
mortality, no more than two-thirds of a brood usually surviving the
fourth week of their life. They should not be hatched before March, and
must be kept on gravel soil, hard clay, or other equally dry ground, and
never on brick, stone, or wooden flooring.
This breed will only thrive on a dry soil. They are fond of a wide
range, and cannot be kept within a fence of less than seven feet in
height. When allowed unlimited range they appear to grow hardy, and are
as easily reared as any other breed if not hatched too early. If kept in
confinement they should have fresh turf every day, besides other
vegetable food. Dorkings degenerate more than any breed by
inter-breeding, and rapidly decrease in size.
Dorkings are peculiarly subject to a chronic inflammation or abscess of
the foot, known as "bumble-foot," which probably originated in heavy
fowls descending from high perches and walking over sharp stones. The
additional toe may have rendered them more liable to this disease. It
may now arise from the same cause, and is best prevented by using broad,
low perches, and keeping their runs clear of sharp, rough stones, but it
also appears to have become hereditary in some birds. There is no cure
for it when matured except its removal, and this operation fails oftener
than it succeeds; but Mr. Tegetmeier states, that he has in early cases
removed the corn-like or wart-like tumours on the ball of the foot with
which the disease begins, and cauterised the part with nitrate of silver
successfully.
[Illustration: Golden-pencilled and Silver-spangled Hamburgs. Black
Spanish]