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Red Dorking Chicken
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: English Class
- Weights: Hen — 7 lbs. Rooster — 9 lbs.
Pullet — 6 lbs. Cockerel — 8 lbs. - Purpose and Type: Dual-Purpose Eggs & Meat; Exhibition
- Egg Shell Color: Creamy white
- Egg Production: 170 – 190 eggs per year (estimate only, see FAQ)
- Egg Size: Medium to large
- Temperament: Docile
- Fertility Percentage: 65-75%
- Broody: Setter
- Mating Ratio: 8 to 1
- Roost Height: 4 feet
- Country of Origin: England
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the Standard of Perfection since 1995
- TLC: Threatened Status, Considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed
- Breeder Farm Source: “Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm” developing our bloodline or strain of pure Red Dorkings, obtained from P. Allen Smith, since 2024.
Red Dorking Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Red Dorking Chicken is an ancient English heritage breed known for its five-toe trait, docile temperament, dual-purpose value, flavorful meat, creamy white eggs, broodiness, and deep historical roots. If you want a rare, practical, old-fashioned breed with backyard charm and conservation value, Red Dorkings are a meaningful choice.
Dorking chickens are among the oldest known domestic chicken breeds. The breed is named for the market town of Dorking in Surrey, England, an area historically known for producing high-quality table poultry. The Livestock Conservancy notes that Dorkings were likely developed in southeast England, especially in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, and that the five-toed Dorking became one of the most sought-after table breeds.
The Red Dorking is considered the oldest Dorking color variety. Its color pattern connects closely to the wild-type Red Jungle Fowl pattern and the Black Breasted Red/Duckwing pattern seen in many old chicken breeds. Although Red Dorkings are historically ancient, the Red variety was admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1995. Cackle Hatchery® lists Red Dorkings as APA-recognized since 1995 and places them under Threatened Status with The Livestock Conservancy.
Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its pure Red Dorking bloodline since 2024, using stock obtained from P. Allen Smith, founder of the Heritage Poultry Conservancy.
Appearance and Characteristics
Red Dorkings have a distinct old-world appearance. They are low, deep-bodied, dual-purpose chickens with a broad frame, calm expression, and the breed’s famous fifth toe.
Red Dorking males are especially striking, often showing rich red coloring with black breast feathers, black tail feathers, and a classic old-game-style pattern. Hens have deep red plumage with darker markings, black-tipped feathers, golden hackles, and a graceful dark tail.
Expected traits include:
- Five toes
- Red plumage
- Dual-purpose body type
- Creamy white eggs
- Medium to large egg size
- Docile temperament
- Broody-hen potential
- Strong mothering instincts
- English heritage breed history
- Flavorful table qualities
The Heritage Poultry Conservancy describes the Dorking as a dual-purpose English Class bird traditionally used for white-shelled eggs and white-skinned meat. It also notes that the Dorking was once highly valued for meat quality and was an ideal market bird in its day.
Five-Toe Heritage Breed Trait
One of the most recognizable Dorking traits is the fifth toe. Most chicken breeds have four toes, but Dorkings are one of the classic five-toed breeds.
The Livestock Conservancy notes that the Dorking’s fifth toe was one of its identifying characteristics in early breed descriptions. Once the fifth toe became consistent on colored birds, those birds were officially considered Dorkings as well.
This trait makes Red Dorkings especially appealing to customers who enjoy rare, historical, and distinctive breeds. For more five-toed chicken context, Cackle’s 5 Chicken Breeds That Have 5 Toes is a useful internal resource.
Egg Production and Winter Laying
Red Dorking hens lay creamy white eggs. Cackle Hatchery® estimates production at 170 to 190 eggs per year, with medium to large egg size.
Dorking hens are also known for laying through winter better than many old breeds, depending on feed, daylight, age, weather, and flock management. This can make them useful for customers who want a heritage breed that contributes eggs during colder months.
They are not modern high-output production layers. Instead, Red Dorkings offer a balanced combination of eggs, meat, temperament, broodiness, and heritage value.
Meat Quality and Dual-Purpose Value
Red Dorkings are true dual-purpose chickens. Historically, Dorkings were especially prized for flavorful white-skinned meat and were once among England’s finest table birds.
The Livestock Conservancy describes the Dorking region as famous for high-quality table poultry, while the Heritage Poultry Conservancy notes that Dorkings were once highly esteemed for meat quality.
This makes Red Dorkings a good fit for homesteaders, heritage breed keepers, and customers who want a bird with more old-fashioned table quality than many modern laying breeds.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
Red Dorkings are docile, calm, and friendly. Their steady temperament makes them a good choice for families, backyard flocks, small farms, and heritage poultry enthusiasts.
This breed can work well for:
- Backyard heritage flocks
- Homesteads
- Dual-purpose poultry projects
- Families wanting calm chickens
- Creamy white egg flocks
- Customers who value broodiness
- Conservation-minded poultry keepers
- Mixed flocks with less aggressive breeds
Because Red Dorkings are generally peaceful, they may not do best with overly aggressive breeds. In a mixed flock, pair them with other calm or moderately assertive chickens and provide enough feeder, waterer, and roost space.
Broodiness and Mothering Ability
Red Dorking hens are known for broodiness. Cackle Hatchery® lists the breed as a setter, meaning hens may sit on eggs and raise chicks.
When they do go broody, Dorking hens can make excellent mothers. They may even raise chicks that are not their own, making them useful for customers who appreciate natural chick raising.
Broodiness can vary by individual hen, season, and flock setup. However, customers who value natural mothering instincts will appreciate this old-fashioned trait.
Red Dorking vs Slate Red Dorking
Cackle Hatchery® offers both Red Dorkings and Slate Red Dorkings. These are related but visually different options.
A Red Dorking is the historically oldest color variety and is APA-recognized. It features classic red and black patterning, creamy white eggs, five toes, and dual-purpose value.
A Slate Red Dorking is another rare Dorking variety offered by Cackle Hatchery®. Cackle lists Slate Red Dorkings as a dual-purpose English breed with creamy white eggs, 170 to 190 egg production estimate, docile temperament, setter broodiness, Threatened Status, and P. Allen Smith bloodline influence. However, Cackle lists Slate Red Dorking as not APA recognized.
Choose Red Dorkings if you want the oldest Dorking color variety and APA-recognized status.
Choose Slate Red Dorkings if you want a rarer color option and are comfortable with non-APA recognition.
Red Dorking vs Dorking Assortment
Customers who want Dorkings but are flexible on color may also consider the Dorking Assortment. Cackle’s Dorking Assortment shares many of the same core traits: dual-purpose use, creamy white eggs, medium to large egg size, docile temperament, setter broodiness, 170 to 190 egg production estimate, and P. Allen Smith bloodline influence.
Choose Red Dorkings if you specifically want the Red variety.
Choose Dorking Assortment if you want Dorking genetics and are flexible about which Dorking variety you receive.
Is the Red Dorking Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Red Dorking chickens if you want:
- One of the oldest heritage chicken breeds
- The oldest Dorking color variety
- A five-toed chicken
- A docile backyard bird
- Creamy white eggs
- Medium to large egg size
- Winter laying potential
- A dual-purpose breed for eggs and meat
- Hens with strong broody instincts
- P. Allen Smith bloodline influence
- A threatened heritage breed with conservation value
However, consider another breed if you need maximum egg production, a non-broody production layer, or a more common breed with broader availability. In short, Red Dorkings are best for customers who value heritage, temperament, flavor, broodiness, and breed preservation.
Care and Housing Tips
Red Dorkings need the same dependable care as other standard-size chickens. They do best with clean housing, secure fencing, balanced feed, fresh water, and predator protection.
For best results, provide:
- A dry, well-ventilated coop
- Predator-resistant fencing
- Clean bedding
- Fresh water at all times
- Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate feed
- Roosts suited to their body type
- Nest boxes for medium to large eggs
- Shade and airflow during hot weather
- Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
- Enough space to reduce stress in mixed flocks
Cackle lists Red Dorking roost height at about 4 feet and mating ratio at 8 females to 1 male. Fertility is listed at approximately 65% to 75%.
Because Dorkings are docile, watch flock dynamics carefully if keeping them with more dominant breeds.
Recognition and Availability
The Red Dorking is APA-recognized and was admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1995. Cackle Hatchery® lists Red Dorkings as a sustainable heritage chicken breed with Threatened Status from The Livestock Conservancy.
Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its pure Red Dorking strain from P. Allen Smith bloodlines since 2024. Since hatch dates and shipping windows can change during the season, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart before ordering.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like Red Dorkings may also enjoy other Dorking options, five-toed breeds, heritage chickens, and dual-purpose breeds.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
- Slate Red Dorking chickens
- Dorking Assortment
- 5 Chicken Breeds That Have 5 Toes
- Rare Chicken Breeds for Sale
- Exhibition Chickens for Sale
- Brown Egg Layers for Sale
- Baby chicks for sale
- Chicken Breed Selector
- Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart
- Chicken Availability Chart
FAQ: Red Dorking Chicken
What is a Red Dorking Chicken?
A Red Dorking Chicken is an ancient English heritage breed known for five toes, docile temperament, creamy white eggs, flavorful meat, broodiness, and dual-purpose value.
Where did Red Dorking chickens originate?
Dorking chickens originated in southeast England and are named for the market town of Dorking in Surrey. The breed was historically associated with high-quality table poultry.
Are Red Dorkings one of the oldest chicken breeds?
Yes. Dorkings are considered one of the oldest domestic chicken breeds, and the Red Dorking is widely described as the oldest Dorking color variety.
When were Red Dorkings admitted to the APA Standard?
Red Dorkings were admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1995.
Are Red Dorkings APA recognized?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® lists Red Dorkings as APA-recognized since 1995.
How many toes do Red Dorking chickens have?
Red Dorking chickens have five toes.
Why do Dorking chickens have five toes?
The fifth toe is one of the identifying heritage traits of the Dorking breed. Early breed descriptions recognized the fifth toe as a defining characteristic.
What color eggs do Red Dorkings lay?
Red Dorking hens lay creamy white eggs.
How many eggs do Red Dorkings lay?
Cackle Hatchery® estimates Red Dorking hens lay about 170 to 190 eggs per year.
What size eggs do Red Dorkings lay?
Red Dorking hens lay medium to large eggs.
Are Red Dorkings good winter layers?
Yes. Red Dorkings are known for laying through winter better than many old breeds, though production still depends on feed, daylight, weather, and management.
Are Red Dorkings good meat birds?
Yes. Dorkings are historically valued for flavorful meat and were once one of England’s finest table poultry breeds.
Are Red Dorkings dual-purpose chickens?
Yes. Red Dorkings are dual-purpose chickens valued for both eggs and meat.
Are Red Dorkings friendly?
Yes. Red Dorkings are docile and calm, making them a good fit for many backyard flocks.
Are Red Dorkings good for mixed flocks?
Yes, especially with other calm or less aggressive breeds. Because they are docile, avoid pairing them only with overly dominant flockmates.
Are Red Dorking hens broody?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® lists Red Dorkings as setters, and broody hens can make excellent mothers.
What do Red Dorking roosters look like?
Red Dorking roosters often have rich red coloring with black breast feathers, black tail feathers, and a classic old-style pattern.
What do Red Dorking hens look like?
Red Dorking hens generally have deep red plumage with darker markings, black-tipped feathers, golden hackles, and a dark tail.
What bloodline does Cackle Hatchery® use for Red Dorkings?
Cackle Hatchery® states that its Red Dorking bloodline was obtained from P. Allen Smith and has been developed by Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm since 2024.
What is the difference between Red Dorking and Slate Red Dorking?
Red Dorking is the oldest color variety and is APA-recognized. Slate Red Dorking is another rare Dorking variety offered by Cackle Hatchery®, but Cackle lists it as not APA recognized.
Are Red Dorkings rare?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® lists Red Dorkings with The Livestock Conservancy Threatened Status.
Where can I check Red Dorking availability?
Customers can check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping timing. Availability can change during the season.
Ordering Information
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