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DORKING
History: One of the oldest domesticated fowls, purely British, and recorded as early as Roman times.
Characteristics: A large body, rectangular in shape when viewed sideways and tightly feathered. The wings are large and the tail is full and sweeping. The head is large and broad, with a single or rose comb and the face is smooth. The legs are short and strong, the shanks are free from feathers and they have five large toes.
Colours: Cuckoo, dark, red, silver grey, white.
At The Garden Hen we keep the silver grey variety which has silver-white hackles striped with black, the breast is red/salmon red/fawn shading off to ash grey on the thighs. The body is a clear silver-grey, finely pencilled with darker grey on the outer line of the feather.
Why do we keep Dorkings at The Garden Hen? They are the oldest known English breed.
 
Cockerel Hen
Eggs: Tinted white, 140 per annum
Classification: Heavy/soft feather
Weight: Male 4.55 – 6.35 kg (10-14 lb), Female 3.60 – 4.55 kg (8-10 lb)
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