39^ 



POULTRY CULTURE 



FIG. 392. Dominique cockerel. (Photograph 



from owner, W. H. Davenport, Coleraine, 



Massachusetts) 



Doniiniques, as devel- 

 , oped either by amalgama- 

 tion of early barred types 

 or by preference for the 

 type which became fixed 

 and dominant, were small 

 medium-sized fowls with 

 rose combs. In shape and 

 carriage they resembled 

 Hamburgs and Leghorns, 

 though more substantially 

 built. They were rugged 

 and hardy, good layers, 

 fattened well, and made 

 good table poultry. The 

 males were much lighter 

 in- color than Standard 

 Barred Rock males of to- 

 day, more resembling the 



pullet-bred Barred Rock male. The principal difference between 

 them and the French Cuckoo is the color of the skin. 



This type of Dominique has 

 almost disappeared. With few ex- 

 ceptions, the type now closely ap- 

 proximates the Barred Plymouth 

 Rock in shape as well as in general 

 shade of color. The barring is not 

 so clear as that of the Plymouth 

 Rock, and the birds are smaller, 

 American Standard weights being 

 cock, 8 pounds; cockerel, /pounds; 

 hen, 6 pounds ; pullet, 5 pounds. 

 Efforts made from time to time to 

 revive the popularity of the Domi- 

 nique have usually been based on 

 claims of inherent breed qualities 

 superior to those of the Plymouth Rock, but have met with little 

 success. Though rated a hardy fowl in comparison with the 



FIG. 393. Dominique hen. (Photo- 

 graph from owners, Dr. Skerritt 

 and Son, Utica, New York) 



