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Livestock Conservancy: Dominique

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Dominique Chickens
Dom History: Colonial to 1900
Dom History: 1915 to Present
Dom Looks: Adult
Dom Looks: Chick/Pullet/Cockerel
Dominique Personality: Friendly
Dominique: Eggs, Broodiness
Dom: Determine Sex After Hatch
Photos Dominique Chicks
Photos Chicks with Mother Hens
Photos Roosters & Hens
Dominique Adult Chickens: Looks


Physical Characteristics

The Dominique chicken is a medium-sized, black- and white-barred, cuckoo-patterned bird. The pattern is called barring or hawk coloring. It makes the Dominique less visible to predators.

Plymouth Rock, Barred Rock or Barred Plymouth Rock chickens look similar to Dominiques. Dominiques have staggered, irregular barring whereas Barred Rocks have crisp, parallel barring.

This photo is a hen eating comfrey. Then a photo of a hawk.




Feather Barring

Dominque colors are almost white (silver) and almost black (slate) whereas Barred Rocks are pure white and black.

The white stripes on Dominiques are wider than the black stripes. Whereas in Barred Rocks the two are the same width.

The photo to the far left is Barred Plymouth Rock feathers. The photo to the right of it is Dominique feathers.




Traits of Dominiques & Barred Rocks

Dominique fowl have a rose comb with a short upward curving spike. Barred Rocks have a single comb. A rose comb is less likely to get frostbite in winter.

It is possible on rare occasions for Dominiques to have a single comb. Single combs were somewhat common in the 1700s and 1800s. A rose comb is dominant over the recessive single comb. A single comb in a Dominique is a sign of good fertility.

Dominiques are smaller than Barred Rocks. Dominique roosters weigh 7-8 pounds (7 is preferred); Barred Rock roosters weigh 7.5-9.5 pounds.

The photo to the left is a Dominique rooster. The photo right/top is a Barred Rock rooster.



Dominique Comb and Wattles

Dominiques have True Rose combs. It is not large and beefy but compact, firm and straight with a spike at the end.

They have bright red wattles. (Wattles are under the chin.)

The photo to the left is a Dominique hen. The photo right/top is a 5-month-old Dom pullet.



Dominique Eyes and Beak

Their eyes are reddish bay. The yellow beak is curved, strong and powerful.

The photo to the left is a Dominique hen.

"Thanks so much...we have really enjoyed the process of hatching Dominique eggs and hope to do it again. I would really love to hatch out some of your ducklings in the future as well." -Kate, Weaverville, North Carolina



Plymouth Barred Rock Hen

Barred Rock chickens were created in the mid-1800s by combining Dominiques, Black Javas, Cochins and maybe Dorkings and Malays. They are bigger and bulkier than Dominiques.

In most crossbreeding the Dominique feather coloring/pattern is dominant. Dominiques strengthen the weak constitution of Asiatic breeds.

The photo to the left is a Plymouth Barred Rock hen.



Graceful Dominique Roosters

The Dominique body is well filled out but not bulky, compact but not skinny looking.

The drawing to the left is a Dominique rooster showing the curve of his back.

"From an aesthetic viewpoint, the Dominique male with a proper back profile is a joy to behold." -Mark Fields, The American Dominique book, 1997



Parts of a Rooster

Dominiques have angular, erect bodies. They look stately. Barred Rocks are less upright with a fuller body and neck.

Dominiques have long tails that are carried up high. They are full and flowing with long sickle feathers. The sickle feathers are wider than Barred Rocks.

Barred Rocks have a lower tail with shorter feathers.

"I have hatched many eggs. But in no way an expert. I love this breed. I want to raise a really good family of Dominiques. I'm getting these eggs to improve my flock. I have a rooster that come from your farm. I put him over some hatchery-grade Dom hens, and the offspring was greatly improved." -Brian, Salem, South Carolina


These drawings are by A.O. Schilling, 1913.
Drawings of Dominiques and Barred Plymouth Rocks

Dominiques are to the left.

A Barred Rock rooster and hen are above. With these drawings you can easily see the body shape differences between these 2 breeds.

Proud Looking Birds

The Dominique's tightly arranged feathers (heavy plumage) keep the birds warm in winter. Their firm yet soft feathers also provide luxurious stuffing for pillows, comforters, and featherbeds.

Their legs and feet are deep yellow/orange. The males have a hint of pink in their legs. Their beaks are short and stout.

There is a Bantam version of this breed.

This photo is a 7-month-old Dominique rooster.

Regal Tail Feathers in Males

Dominiques carry their heads high up on well-arched, graceful necks. Their body is broad and full with long and full tail feathers that are held the highest of the American breeds.

"As breeds in the American class go, the Dominique is clearly the king when it comes to tail." -The Dominiqiue Tail, Erik Nelsen, 1997

"There can be no doubt that an award-quality Dominique male is one of the most handsome birds in the poultry world. The legs are actually a deep orange-yellow with narrow vertical rows of red spots on the outside of the shanks. These colors which provide a light reflecting quality, give the legs a live, eye-catching appearance." -Mark Fields, The American Dominique book, 1997

This photo is an adult Dominique rooster with full tail feathers.

"These roosters are gorgeous! Love them." -Caroline, Kinta, Oklahoma


Dominique Hen

Dominique hens weigh 5 to 6.5 pounds (5 is preferred) compared to 6 to 7.5 pounds for Barred Rock hens.

Dominique hens have a dish-shaped back whereas Barred Rock hens have an evenly sloping back. Dominique hens have a longer neck and back so are more refined looking than Barred Rocks.

Dom hens have a plump, full breast with high tails.

"In style and general shape she is almost gamey with an ambitious carriage." -F.L. Sewell, 1915

This photo is a Dominique hen taking a stroll in light snow.

American Dominique Male

"I was really happy to find your site as I did not want to buy from a big hatchery. I have found the Dominique to be a really gentle breed so much nicer than the Rhode Island Reds I had previously. I love the fact that they are the first American breed and worth preserving." -Ailish, Dighton, Massachusetts

"Thank you so much, i am very pleased with my chicks and hatch:) your tips help tremendously, and i have recommended my friends to you as well:)" -Gabriella, Bartow, Florida

"It is simply amazing that a breed as old as the Dominique has changed so very little." -Mark Fields, The American Dominique book, 1997

This photo of a Dominique rooster was taken in 1919.

American Dominique Female

"Just wanted to tell you what fun I am having with the new Dominique girls. Sassy is acting like a lap cat. She actually lays down in my lap and goes to sleep. My other girls that are friendly like to be held and rubbed on their heads for a short time, but actually laying down and konking out from the head rubs for 20 minutes is a first for me. I was the one that had to wake her up and put her down! The other two hens are super friendly also and love affection. This breed of chicken is just awesome!" -Lori, Chesterfield, Virginia


This photo of a Dominique hen was taken in 1919.

 
This drawing of Dominiques is by the Japanese artist Hashime Murayama, done in the 1920s. He was an illustrator for the National Geographic Society.

All his work is meticulous and detail oriented. This is a very good representation of what Dominique chickens should look like.

Buy Standard Dominique Hatching Eggs

Buy Bantam Dominique Hatching Eggs

"I am getting ready to put some eggs in my incubator. Your Dominique roosters that I hatched out last year had brighter black-and-white colors and were prettier than the chicks I got from a hatchery. I just wanted to add more of your bloodline Dominique's to my mix. :)" -Anthony, Gadsden, Tennessee



Dominique Chicken Looks: Chicks, Pullets, Cockerels, Eggs, Feathers


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