Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
DOMINIQUE
THISBREED,TOO,ORIGINALLYCOMESFROMTHEUNITEDKINGDOM,
and it's rumored to be the oldest breed in America. Legend has it that the Pilgrims
brought these girls to the New World, and the breed's name is associated with the
island of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti). A black-and-white barred chicken whose color
resembles the more modern Barred Rock, this breed is old school. It's smaller and less
jolly than Rocks—but not to a fault. Its medium size (about 6 pounds) makes it a good
match for Ameraucana and Rhode Island Red flock mates, though Doms are certainly
the calmest of that trio. Dominiques are a heritage breed great for close quarters; they
do well in confined spaces, such as indoor urban henhouses.
The Dominique (along with the Jersey Giant) is the rarest of the backyard chickens I'm
listing here, and that's a point that shouldn't go unnoticed. These and other wonderful
birds are on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy's Watch List. By raising a few
in your own home you're not only getting delicious future frittatas, you're helping to
keep a bit of our history alive. Not a bad deal.
Orpington rooster
