Dominic chickens are known in the USA as the most ancient breed. Its roots lead scientists to the very beginning of the colonization of America, when the first settlers brought farm animals and birds from Europe.
The breed is now considered to be rare, since more productive analogs were bred instead.
Dominic chickens were obtained by the first American settlers. They crossed domestic chickens, brought from Europe, among themselves, in order to get a new hardy bird capable of laying a large number of eggs.
In those days, the survival of the first European settlers largely depended on the productivity of farm animals, so they needed chickens with good egg production.
In the 1870s, farmers were able to breed the popular Plymouthrock breed from the hens of Dominic.
Immediately after this, the Dominic breed almost ceased to exist. Fortunately, enthusiastic farmers were able to save the breed from extinction. In the 1970s, specialists were actively engaged in the restoration of these domestic chickens, so now there are more than 1,000 Dominic heads in the USA
Breed description Dominic
Dominic chickens are poultry with an average body size. It grows fluffy and very soft plumage.
It helps domestic chickens to endure any weather conditions that have formed in the Americas. Previously, the inhabitants of America used the down and feathers of this breed for stuffing pillows and mattresses.
The neck of this breed is of medium length. On it grows the average length of the plumage, slightly falling on the shoulders of the Dominic rooster. The neck immediately goes into a wide back, located at a slight angle relative to the tail.
The shoulders of roosters do not protrude strongly beyond the limits of the body, since the dense plumage completely hides them. The wings are also almost not noticeable under the lush plumage of the body and waist.
Dominik's tail is set high, but feathers on it are not very long. In the rooster, it consists of small rounded braids. The wide chest sits deep, the stomach is large, but in cocks it slightly "retracted", which creates the impression of a more "thin" figure.
The head of these chickens has an average size. On the red face of the breed is completely absent plumage. The large crest has a rose shape. In roosters, he is slightly raised above his head. Earrings are large and rounded.
The earlobes are always red. Beak elongated. Usually painted in a light yellow color with dark patches. At the end slightly bent.
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Thick plumage on the belly of Dominic hides elongated legs. The plumage of the breed is so lush that it seems as if these birds look like a ball.
Hocks of this breed are of medium length, large bones. Long and thin fingers are spaced correctly, have white claws. The scales on the feet are colored bright yellow.
Dominic chickens are very similar in appearance to roosters. They are distinguished by more rounded body shapes, a broad chest, a full belly, and a small erect tail.
Features
Dominic chickens have a pleasant calm character. They easily get along with other monasteries in a private household, so the owner of the livestock can not worry because of possible fights.
Moreover, these birds are absolutely not afraid of man. They readily go into the arms, even in adulthood.
Despite the gullibility of his character, Dominic breed roosters can sometimes be aggressive to other animals.
In the history, there are cases when roosters pecked on large rats, hedgehogs, and even small cats, when they had to protect chickens and young. These are truly selfless birds.
Dominic laying hens may lay eggs at any time of the year. They do not break for the time of winter, so the farmer will not lose anything. In addition, Dominic chickens are wonderful mothers. They form the clutch themselves and begin to incubate themselves, bringing out healthy and viable chickens.
These birds are completely unpretentious to the conditions of detention. Initially, the colonialists kept them in cramped, hastily stitched poultry houses. The weakest individuals died, and a new herd was formed only from the strongest birds.
Content and cultivation
American Dominic chickens are unpretentious poultry.
But they are better kept in a spacious free-range poultry house. During walking the birds will spend their energy, and will also be able to look for a nourishing pasture for themselves in the form of insects, greenery and fallen seeds.
However, do not forget about the main feed for poultry. They are perfect grain mixes consisting of barley, oats and wheat.. In winter, they can be fed with vitaminized feeds that help strengthen the immune system.
To improve egg productivity should increase the number of hours spent on the range.
If the birds are kept in closed poultry houses, then there you can equip comfortable fluorescent lamps, which are turned on and off only at the moment when the farmer needs it. But do not constantly keep the light on, as it can adversely affect the health of the bird.
As for the breeding of the breed, it is not complicated. Mouths themselves sit on laying eggs and in the same way independently chickens are bred. Chickens constantly monitor their offspring, so the survival rate among chickens is always high.
The total weight of Dominic roosters can reach 3.2 kg under good conditions. Laying hens can gain up to 2.3 kg of body weight. They can lay up to 180 eggs per year, and egg-laying does not stop during the cold weather.
The mass of eggs on average is 55g, but for breeding chickens it is better to choose larger specimens. The survival rate of young animals and adults is usually 97%.
Similar species
Instead of rare chickens Dominic is better to start a popular breed of Plymouth. These chickens belong to the meat-and-egg type of productivity.
They grow very quickly and reach sexual maturity early, which allows farmers to maximize profits while keeping these birds. Plymouthrocks are unpretentious to housing conditions, therefore they can be suitable for breeding by amateur breeders.
Conclusion
Chickens Dominic is the oldest American breed of chickens. The first colonialists, who brought various European hens with them, were breeding it.
As a result, they were able to bring out a hardy and unpretentious bird that is equally well suited for rearing for meat and for eggs. Unfortunately, the current livestock of Dominics is sharply reduced due to the breeding of more competitive breeds.
