They are not everlasting layers, but at due or convenient
intervals manifest the desire of sitting. In this respect, they are
steady and good mothers when the little '^n^s appear.
With all these merits, however, they are not found to be a
profitable breed, if kept thoroughbred an uumixed. Their
powers seem to fail at an early age. They are al apt to pine
away and die just at the point of r.'.chm' m "tuiity. They
appear at a certain epo :h t( be seized with conjui.iption — in
the Speckled Dorkin/s^ t^ ^ lung:' seem to O'^ the seat of the
disease. The White Dorkmgs are however hard/ and active
birds, and are not siuject co crnrumption or any other disease.
As mothers, an objection to the "^..rkings is that they are
too heavy and clumsy to rear the chickens Oi. any smaller and
more delicate bird than themselves.
In spite of these drawbacks the Dorkings are still in high
favor; but a cross is found to be more profitable than the true
breed. A glossy, energetic game-cock, with Dorking hens,
produces chickens in size and beauty little i.i.erior to their
maternal parentage, and much more roi^ust. The supernu-
merary toe on each foot almost always disappears with the first
cross; but it is a point which can very ..ell be spared without
piuch disadvantage. In other respects the appearance of thQ
POULTRY. 255
newly hatched chickens is scarcely altered. The eggs of the
Dorkings are large, pure white, very much rounded, and
nearly equal in size at each end. The chickens are brown-
ish-yellow, with a broad stripe down the middle of the back,
and a narrow one on each side; feet and legs yellow.
The Black Dorking. — The bodies of this variety are of
a large size, with the usual proportions of the race, and of a jet
black color. The neck-feathers / some of the cocks are
tinged with a bright gold color, and those of some of the hens
bear a silvery complexion. Their combs ar^ usually double,
and very short, though sometimes cupped, rose or single, with
wattles small; and they are usually very red ..bou*: th? head.
Their tails are rather shorter and broader than most of the
race, and they feather rather slowly. Their legs are short and
blacky with five toes on each foot, the bottom oi whicl is sc^me-
times yellow." The two back toes are very distinct, stauing
from the foot seperately; and there is frequently a part of an
extra toe between the two.
This breed commence laying when very young, and are
very thrifty layers during winter. Their eggs are of a large
size, and hatch well; they are perfectly hardy, as their color
indicates, and for the product are considered among the most
valuable of the Dorking breed.
The Game Fowl. — It is probable that these fowl, like other
choice varieties, are natives of India. It is certain that in that
country an original race of some fowl exists, at the present day,
bearing in full perfection all the peculiar characteristics of the
species. In India, as is well known, the natives are infected
with a passion for cock-fighting. These fowls are carefully
bred for this barbarous amusement, and the finest birds become
articles of great value.
Page 177
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
They are not everlasting layers, but at due or convenient intervals manifest the desire of sitting. In this respect, they are steady and good mothers when the little ones appear.
With all these merits, however, they are not found to be a profitable breed, if kept thoroughbred and unmixed. Their powers seem to fail at an early age. They are al apt to pine away and die just at the point of reaching maturity. They appear at a certain epoch to be seized with consumption — in the Speckled Dorkings the lung:' seem to O'^ the seat of the disease. The White Dorkmgs are however hard/ and active birds, and are not subject to consumption or any other disease.
As mothers, an objection to the Dorkings is that they are too heavy and clumsy to rear the chickens Oi. any smaller and more delicate bird than themselves.
In spite of these drawbacks the Dorkings are still in high favor; but a cross is found to be more profitable than the true breed. A glossy, energetic game-cock, with Dorking hens, produces chickens in size and beauty little inferior to their maternal parentage, and much more robust. The supernumerary toe on each foot almost always disappears with the first cross; but it is a point which can very well be spared without piuch disadvantage. In other respects the appearance of the
newly hatched chickens is scarcely altered. The eggs of the Dorkings are large, pure white, very much rounded, and nearly equal in size at each end. The chickens are brownish-yellow, with a broad stripe down the middle of the back, and a narrow one on each side; feet and legs yellow.
The Black Dorking. — The bodies of this variety are of a large size, with the usual proportions of the race, and of a jet black color. The neck-feathers / some of the cocks are tinged with a bright gold color, and those of some of the hens bear a silvery complexion. Their combs ar^ usually double, and very short, though sometimes cupped, rose or single, with wattles small; and they are usually very red ..bou*: th? head. Their tails are rather shorter and broader than most of the race, and they feather rather slowly. Their legs are short and black with five toes on each foot, the bottom oi which is sometimes yellow." The two back toes are very distinct, stauing from the foot separately; and there is frequently a part of an extra toe between the two.
This breed commence laying when very young, and are very thrifty layers during winter. Their eggs are of a large size, and hatch well; they are perfectly hardy, as their color indicates, and for the product are considered among the most valuable of the Dorking breed.
The Game Fowl. — It is probable that these fowl, like other choice varieties, are natives of India. It is certain that in that country an original race of some fowl exists, at the present day, bearing in full perfection all the peculiar characteristics of the species. In India, as is well known, the natives are infected with a passion for cock-fighting. These fowls are carefully bred for this barbarous amusement, and the finest birds become articles of great value.