White Dorkings. 
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all, as we have already seen that years ago it was the only variety which invariably bred the fifth 
toe, while there is strong reason for believing that the Coloured Dorking owes more or less to a 
cross with the large Sussex or Surrey fowl. This may account to some extent for the very 
perceptible difference in general outline between the White and Coloured races. 
The following notes on this beautiful breed were kindly furnished us by Miss Fairhurst, of 
Woodlands, Ormskirk, whose long attachment to it, and success both as a breeder and exhibitor, 
need no further endorsement at our hands : — 
“ White Dorkings,” writes Miss Fairhurst, “ are certainly my favourite breed, and I look upon 
them as quite amongst the aristocracy of fowls. The elegance of their carriage, the gloss and purity 
of their plumage, and a certain indescribable something in the way they advance to meet those 
in whom they have confidence, seems at once to say, ‘I belong to the upper rank;’ and their dress 
of pure white satin, with its red coral ornaments, is a regal court suit in which they are fit for 
presentation to their sovereign any day, on the grassy banks of whose mansion no more lovely 
ornament could be placed. They are equally to be desired for the country villa, wherever a green 
run can be secured in front of the garden, protected by wire or a sunk fence, so that they can be 
seen along with the flowers, giving life and beauty to the scene. Their natural disposition seems 
more tame than that of other fowls, and they soon learn to eat from the hand ; indeed, I wish any 
lady would notice, as I have often done, the peculiar grace and dignity with which a White Dorking 
pullet will advance toward her to be fed from her hand. They are of all things essentially fit to 
be considered as ‘ ladies’ pets.’ 
“ With all this, they are often quite ignored at poultry-shows ; only a few give a class for 
them, and the breeding of them is thus discouraged. Why this should be I cannot say. Of all 
ornamental fowls they are the largest on the table ; they are good layers, if generously fed, and kept 
in dry, clean houses ; and even continue to lay in the winter better than the Coloured Dorkings. 
Their eggs are peculiarly delicate, the shells being of a pinky or French white shade, and of a good 
size, fully half as large again as any of the Hamburghs — indeed, excepting Spanish, I do not know 
any finer, if the hens are eighteen months or two years old. 
“ A dry soil is indispensable to these birds ; and to do them justice they require, like all 
Dorkings, an extensive range. In a confined space their plumage would become dirty, and I never 
find them healthy when such is the case. In a well-ordered, clean farmyard they do very well, and 
in such circumstances never soil themselves more than a bath of clean white sand will put right. 
Of course before showing they must be washed, and I think the bath does them good. Some 
common soda melted, and a little nice white soap, is all I ever have used to cleanse their feathers, 
after which they are rinsed from it most thoroughly in tepid water from a spring. Some use 
ammonia, but on several occasions when I have tried this it has made the birds quite a canary colour; 
it may have been used too strong, but I find soda better without it. A clean, airy room, littered 
with straw and with a low perch at one side, will enable them to plume their feathers in a day or 
two, but long confinement would not improve them in any way for exhibition. 
“ With regard to size, I can see no reason why White Dorkings should not be brought up to as 
high a standard as the Coloured ones, if the same encouragement were given at poultry-shows, to 
cause equal emulation amongst breeders of them to bring to perfection every point. Instead of this 
being the case, when on several occasions I have tried White ones in a class where no colour was 
specified, but only Dorkings, invariably the birds have had no notice. This has not been the case, as 
might be supposed, for want of size or quality ; for on one occasion I remember, at the Kendal show, 
in 1869, I had two pens of young birds — one White Dorkings, the other Coloured — both of the same 
age ; but though the White cock was nearly one pound heavier than the Coloured, he had no notice, 
