Dominique Chicken
The
Dominique Chicken is the oldest American chicken, developed in New England sometime during colonization of North America. The
Dominique Chicken remained the most popular
American Breed until the development of the
Barred Plymouth Rock in the mid 19th century.
The
Dominique Chicken is a calm and gentle bird that can be easy to show. It's docile temperament makes for great layers and good family or backyard birds. The
Dominique Hens are dependable and hardly layers of medium sized brown eggs. The roosters occasionally tend to act aggressively toward humans or other roosters. The
Dominique Chicken is a good looking bird with black and creamy white barred plumage patterns. The barring is more staggered and less parallel than the plumage of the
Barred Plymouth Rock. The
Dominique Chicken has a bright red rose comb with bright red wattles and ear lobes.
Overall, the
Dominique Chicken is a beautiful chicken breed that will dependably produce eggs in marginal weather. The birds' plumage pattern, also known as "hawk coloring", offers some protection against some aerial predators, helping the bird survive in backyard free range environments. The
Dominique Chicken will also dress nicely and produce quality tasting meat.
Dominique Chicken
Because of the rise in popularity of the
Barred Plymouth Rock, the
Dominique Chicken declined in numbers until it was almost extinct by the 1950s. Luckily, due to careful monitoring and selective breeding programs across the country, the breed has climbed to "Critical" condition since.
