Dorking chicken | Full Details

Behavior/Temperament
Dorking chickens are kept for both of their meat and eggs and they also make good show birds. They are quiet in nature and hardy birds. They are large foraging birds, very active and require much space. If they are not given enough space, then they can become weedy. Dorking hens tend to lay eggs in the early part of the year. They lay white shelled eggs and the eggs are of good size. This chicken breed take long time for maturing. Usually, the Dorkings can take up to two years to mature. They have an average lifespan of seven years. Dorking is a docile bird to keep and they can become very broody. Hens are great mothers. See full breed profile of Dorking chicken below.

Dorking Chicken | Breed Profile

Breed Name	Dorking
Other Name	None
Breed Purpose	Dual Purpose
Breed Temperament	Friendly, Docile, Easily Handled
Breed Size	Large Fowl
Broodiness	Frequent
Comb	Single
Climate Tolerance	All Climates
Egg Color	White
Egg Size	Large
Egg Productivity	Medium
Feathered Legs	No
Rarity	Rare (Silver-Grey Variety is Common)
Varieties	Cuckoo, Dark, Red, Silver-grey and white

The Good

• Beautiful
• Broody
• Docile
• Easy to handle
• Hardy
• Very friendly
• Good personality
• Great foragers
• Gentle
• Hens are great mothers
• Lay large eggs
• Very good meat quality

The Bad

• Hard to find quality breeding stock (quite rare)
• Take long time to mature
• Not too good layer

Is Dorking Chicken Good for You?
Yes, Dorking chicken is good for you if you…….

• Want to raise some beautiful chickens.
• Are looking for some chickens which are friendly and very easy to handle.
• Are willing for keeping some heritage chicken breeds.
• Want to keep chickens for meat production rather than eggs.
• Want to produce large size white eggs.
• Are looking for such chicken breeds which go broody and hens are good mothers.
• Prefer chickens with white skin and looking for excellent meat quality.
• Are looking for such chicken breeds which are great foragers.
• Want to raise very hardy and active birds.