Thursday, July 24, 2014

Silver Gray Dorking Chickens For Sale

By Sharron Cantu


These birds are reputed to be a very ancient breed that came to England with the Romans in forty three AD. There are those who would disagree with this assertion based on the fact that there are none of these birds in Italy today. Regardless of where they originated the breed was cultivated in England and valued for its many specific attributes. Today silver gray Dorking chickens for sale can be found in many countries throughout the world.

Named for the city they were cultivated in the Dorking chicken was kept in the one area of production by prohibiting the sale of live birds for centuries. This action by the city guaranteed that the purity of the lines as well as the profitability of the market would remain secure.

The attributes of these birds include their large size of up to nine pounds for a rooster or seven for the hens. They have short sturdy legs and large thighs which make them desirable for the table. The wings and breasts are large and meaty with excellent flavor that is tender and delicate.

These birds are not aggressive by nature but a rooster will protect his flock from danger. They are good foragers and generally stay close to home. They do very well in small farms with pasture settings for their foraging and prefer to sleep in the trees at night rather than the coop. Many owners use them as a way to make their livestock more attractive or exhibit them in competitions at shows or fairs.

The hens are excellent layers but have a tendency to lay numerous eggs and sit to brood them. They are good mothers and tend their chicks as well as willingly adopting chicks from other breeds. Hens are not colored as flamboyantly as roosters although the colors are very similar.

The number of breeding chickens in this type of bird is very low. At under six thousand birds they are considered a rare or threatened bird. In order for them to regain a healthy population in this country new ranches for breeding are constantly being sought. Anyone who would like to raise a few of them can purchase day old chicks, fertilized eggs, pullets or mature birds from ranches that offer them for sale. In addition to eggs and meat they make beautiful and effective show birds.

It is also possible to purchase dressed birds for the table. You will want to purchase more than one bird if you are buying them from breeders. The meat, when frozen, retains the texture and flavor as if freshly dressed. To find Farms where you are able to purchase dressed birds you may want to search the internet to locate local sellers. Some retailers may ship the frozen birds to you using dry ice to ensure they do not thaw in transit.

Whether you want these birds for show, egg production or for the table you will find a wide variety of farms and ranches that can satisfy your needs. They are beautiful to observe and show as well as very cost effective when used for egg production or dressed for the table at dinner time.




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