This is the oldest of the British breeds, descriptions going back to Roman times (30AD) of the Red Dorking. In the 19th Century, four other varieties were developed - Dark, Silver Grey, Cuckoo and White - and the Dorking was itself used in the development of other types, notably the Sussex and Orpington.

Dorkings look heavy and are rather low with short, strong legs. The body is long and deep, the back broad, breast deep and carried well forward. The tail is full. The head is large with a single comb, though the White and Cuckoo may have a rose comb instead. All Dorkings have a fifth toe, a dominant characteristic found in only five other standardised types.

They are quiet but active birds which will range given the chance. They will lay up to about 190 white eggs, mostly in the earlier part of the year.

We have the Silver Grey form.

Silver Grey: Hens have silvery hackles striped with black and a salmony red breast going to pale grey below. The body is silvery grey with a darker grey edging to the feathers and the tail a dark grey. The cock is a striking silver-white on the hackles, saddle and shoulders with a green- or blue-black body. This is the bird on our logo.

Bantam versions do exist in some of the colours, but we do not keep any.