GENERAL INFORMATION

All of our domestic chickens originated from the Red Jungle Fowl of the Orient, Gallus gallus. Chickens and other poultry have provided a widely adaptable food source for many cultures for over 3,000 years.

DESCRIPTION

The Dominique is a medium sized chicken, distinctive in its black and white feather pattern which contrasts sharply with the bright red combs and wattles on the head and face           

HISTORY

The Dominique has been widely recognized as a part of American folklore and is an excellent farm chicken. Dominique chickens are known for their hardiness and ability to produce eggs in marginal conditions. Eggs laid by these chickens are brown in color. They are also noted for their ability to scratch for their own food, therefore not needing the expensive management practices of many of today's specialized breeds.

Evidence shows that all of our domestic poultry, with the exception of the turkey, was imported to the New World by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. Purely barred chickens became common in the United States as early as 1750. As interest in poultry increased, so did the attention given to improving the size and uniformity of the type of chicken. In 1849, the rose comb barred chickens became recognized under the name "Dominique". The name "DoMinique" is often corrupted with the result that this chicken is frequently referred to as the "Dominecker" instead. After the name was established, the breed was still being improved and refined. In 1873, the American Poultry Association was formed and in 1874 the Association adopted the first American Standard of Perfection, a book that served as a guide for poultry breeders. Interest began to decline in Dominique chickens due to newer breeds of economic importance. The decline of the Dominique became so extensive that until recently, the numbers dwindled until the breed existed only in exhibition form. However, through special conservation efforts under the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and localized breeders, there are now many small flocks of Dominiques throughout the country. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is an organization dedicated to the preservation of rare breeds of domestic livestock and poultry. The Dominique chicken is listed as CRITICAL under the conservancy's conservation priority list. This means that there are fewer than three sources and a population of less than 500 hens. Rare breeds such as the Dominique are currently in danger of extinction. Preservation of these older breeds of poultry is vitally important because of their genetic diversity and hardiness, along with other unique traits. As agricultural practices change to meet the needs of the future, preservation of the heritage breeds becomes even more essential.

MEET OUR DOMINIQUE CHICKENS

The Nature Center has 4 Dominique chickens, 3 hens and I rooster, which live at the Center's Educational Farm in an outdoor chicken "coop" which protects them from predators but allows them ample room to roam. Compartments built into the coop serve as nesting platforms for egg laying. During cold weather, they are kept in a pen inside the farm 's barn. Our Dominique chickens are fed a diet consisting of a mixture of grains, "laying pellets" and sunflower seeds.

INFORMATION LINKS

Breeds of Poultry

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©2002 WNC Nature Center