Qualities and Management of Dorkings. 
without detriment to the vigour of the progeny ; but we do mean to say most emphatically, 
that while a pen of birds is being shown from time to time, it is hopeless to expect chickens of any 
value even from such eggs as may chance to hatch. This truth applies more or less to all breeds 
of poultry, but to Dorkings peculiarly so ; and it is therefore most desirable, after the breeding 
stock is once mated and put on the proper runs, to leave them undisturbed till the season is over. 
Even birds that have been from show to show through the winter, unless great care has been taken 
to prevent evil results, will rarely produce a strong and vigorous progeny. 
Mr. Hewitt adds a few general remarks as these pages go to press, which we insert with much 
pleasure. The first paragraph describes a peculiar characteristic of the breed generally ; the 
second will be read with interest as relating to now almost extinct varieties. The first-mentioned 
of these appears to be the grey feather already described by us — the description, though in 
different terms, applying exactly. 
“ In hunting districts, where foxes are generally abundant, Dorking fowls are not the most 
advisable breed, as they then entail constant anxiety and frequently-repeated vexations. This 
arises from their perfect inability, when suddenly surprised or excited, to save themselves by 
vigorous or well-sustained flight ; whilst their futile attempts at running in grass of only two or 
three inches in height renders them an easy capture. For the like reason, Dorkings are often 
known to be absent without leave after the visits of the itinerant scissors-gnnder, or such-like 
occasional wanderers round the homestead. 
“For my own part, as an arbitrator, I deeply regret we no longer see specimens of the 
old-fashioned Grey Dorkings, such as were, twenty or more years back, regularly exhibited at 
Hitchin by the Rev. Mr. Boyes and others. They were of beautiful feather, very similar in 
colour to the lichen moss we so frequently find on old park palings ; and what renders their 
disappearance the more remarkable is, that they were at that time great favourites in the sur- 
rounding districts, and were frequently ‘claimed’ at very high prices; in fact, I once remember 
three pens changed hands at a single show, at ^50 per pen of three birds. Another most useful, 
though I admit not a very taking variety to those who wish to please the eye rather than the 
palate, is now only very rarely to be seen, viz. : — the Red-speckled Dorking, a variety of great 
frame, exceedingly clear and white in the leg and foot, and of the most hardy constitution. True it 
is, these fowls were wont to be marked somewhat irregularly, the feather being a deep chestnut, 
with a white crescent-shaped tip ; but for hardihood they could not be outdone, besides which, the 
quality of flesh was unsurpassable and most abundant. A regular, well-directed attention might 
soon have supplied perfectly-matched pens of even this erratic variety.” 
We have already seen that Dorkings, after long-continued and judicious training, may be 
considered fairly hardy ; but any given strain can only be thus “ acclimatised ” gradually, and with 
the resources most poultry-keepers have at command the chicks should not be hatched early. 
Very late in March is quite early enough to have broods out, and April or May chickens do still 
better. Totally different in this respect to the Brahma, the Dorking grows very fast and early ; so 
that while both the newly-hatched chicks and the adult fowls are not very different in size, at the 
age say of three months a Dorking chicken will appear nearly double the size of a Brahma. This 
is one of the most valuable points in a table breed, and also diminishes the need of early hatching 
for the autumn and winter shows ; for while Brahmas or Cochins hatched in May will generally be 
too small and immature, even for Birmingham, the young Dorking of the same date is in its full 
bloom and beauty. We should regard early in May as generally the best time of all for hatching 
this breed ; and at that season, in most years, the young stock may be used to a hardy out-door life 
without any danger. Iron in the water, or some other simple tonic, should always be given, and 
