Breeding Coloured Dorkings. 
3^7 
continues to the present time, breeding also up to this very day far more uniiormity in colour. 
Whole yards of Dorkings may now be found which run as true to colour as Brahmas or Cochins ; 
whereas before this time almost every hen was different in colour, so much so that out of a hundred 
hens in a yard it was a difficult matter to get three out of the lot to match. We have also thus 
obtained longer bodies, greater width in shoulders, more length of breast, and greater depth in the 
keel or breast-bone, where a proportionately greater amount of flesh can of course be put upon the 
birds ; in fact the fowl is now heavier-fleshed all over, with no more addition of offal in proportion. 
With regard to the improvement in constitution, young Dorkings previous to the cross could 
hardly be shown at more than two shows running, when they were either attacked with roup or 
became black about the head ; often also becoming crop-bound, or dropping down with leg- 
weakness — in fact, had constitutions not at all adapted for show purposes. Now it is well known 
they will travel from show to show all the season through, equal to almost any other breed, while 
upon an average every first-class bird carries about three pounds more flesh than formerly.” 
We are not sure that the gain as regards constitution, referred to in the foregoing notes, is not 
somewhat exaggerated ; as a reference to any old files of poultry papers will show that years ago 
all poultry sent to shows were far more subject to various diseases than now, owing chiefly to want 
of sound knowledge as to their proper treatment. “Exhibition fever” was in those days quite a 
common and well-understood term, and the majority of fowls suffered more or less from it. The 
gain in size is however beyond dispute ; and that to a perceptible degree vigour has been likewise 
improved, must also be granted ; for both of which fanciers have to thank the efforts of Mr. Douglas. 
The following notes on Dorkings — their breeding, management, &c., have been furnished by 
Mr. John Martin, formerly poultry-breeder and manager to Viscountess Holmesdale, of Linton 
Park, Kent, whose constant succession of triumphs as a Dorking exhibitor is still well remembered 
by poultry-fanciers ; and who, since her ladyship retired from “ the fancy,” has won, with the same 
stock, many prizes on his own account. 
“ In choosing my breeding-stock of Dorkings,” says Mr. Martin, “ I am always careful to select 
birds with good, sound feathers — that is, with feathers looking as though they had been glued down, 
and not such soft-feathered birds as we often see in all poultry, and perhaps oftener in this breed 
than any other. I choose birds possessing great length and depth of body, with good broad 
shoulders and backs ; and especially I think it very important to get birds with great length of 
breast-bone — not a short breast-bone like Cochins and Brahmas. Short-breasted birds may look 
well in a pen to a novice, appearing round and plump ; but they are not good Dorkings, and would 
be condemned by a judge who understands the breed. 
“ 1 like the head to be large, but not coarse, and I like also to see good large feet, with a fair 
but not excessive amount of bone. The fourth and fifth toes (that is, the back toes) should be low 
on the leg, and separate — not one toe growing out from the other — and it is best for the lowest of 
them to stand out straight, and not point to the ground ; for when they do so one or both often get 
injured, and this mishap has not seldom prevented an otherwise good pen of birds from winning 
But, above all, I would select birds of good constitution, and in the best of health ; for if you breed 
from either weak or sickly stock, what can you expect but weakly chickens ? I prefer breeding 
from adult birds, for I consider a bird at two years old is in its prime as regards strength and 
vigour, whereas one only a year old has not arrived at its best — at least, it is so in Dorkings. I 
always found, as a rule, that when I put a two-year old cock with pullets, the pullets preponderated 
whereas a young cockerel mated with hens produced more cockerels ;* but I prefer full-grown 
* It will be seen that this corroborates our own opinion expressed on p. 133. 
