Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Silver Gray Dorking Chickens For Sale In America

By Sharron Cantu


These birds are reputed to be a very ancient breed that came to England with the Romans in forty three AD. There are those who would disagree with this assertion based on the fact that there are none of these birds in Italy today. Regardless of where they originated the breed was cultivated in England and valued for its many specific attributes. Today silver gray Dorking chickens for sale can be found in many countries throughout the world.

Named for the city they were cultivated in the Dorking chicken was kept in the one area of production by prohibiting the sale of live birds for centuries. This action by the city guaranteed that the purity of the lines as well as the profitability of the market would remain secure.

One main selling points of these birds is their large bodies. They are thick chested and a rooster can attain weight of over eight pounds while the hens grow to seven or more pounds. They have short legs that connect to large meaty thighs. Their breasts and wings are thick and meaty and the overall flavor of the bird is delicate and exceptionally tender.

Their silver and black colors make them a beautiful bird to show. They are gentle and while they will forage they usually stay close to home. The do very well in pasture settings and with small farmers or gentleman farmers who raise them for personal use. Given the opportunity they like to roost in trees at night.

As egg producers the hens are very consistent. The farmer may want to keep an eye on the hens because they will hide their nests and hatch chicks rather than allow the eggs to be collected. As good mothers these hens raise large broods sitting on up to fifty eggs and chicks and have been known to adopt another breed of chick if they are alone. The pullets, or young hens, have a tendency to not be consistent layers in the cold winter months.

There are only about five thousand breeding birds in America and so they are considered to be a rare breed. In order for them to become populous again new breeders are being sought in rural areas. People who wish to participate in a breeding program can purchase day old chicks, pullets and even fertilized eggs to get a start. Fully mature birds can also be purchased from suppliers.

It is also possible to purchase dressed birds for the table. You will want to purchase more than one bird if you are buying them from breeders. The meat, when frozen, retains the texture and flavor as if freshly dressed. To find Farms where you are able to purchase dressed birds you may want to search the internet to locate local sellers. Some retailers may ship the frozen birds to you using dry ice to ensure they do not thaw in transit.

Whether you want these birds for show, egg production or for the table you will find a wide variety of farms and ranches that can satisfy your needs. They are beautiful to observe and show as well as very cost effective when used for egg production or dressed for the table at dinner time.




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