Richard and Jo Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Just thought I'd ask as I live 10 minutes from Dorking town, and at the moment there is a bit of a local hoo-ha going on in that the council are planning on erecting a giant chicken statute on the main roundabout of the town! Letters every week in the paper etc., it's quite funny - people are not convinced it is money well spent (although of course as a chicken owner I obviously have to say it is!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleata Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 sounds like a good idea to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Wow, what a great idea (but whose idea? ). I hope it goes ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 I'm all in favour, of course, but a chicken seems like a strange statue to suddenly come up with. Is there a great history of chickens in Dorking? Is it Bernard Matthews home town A spooky history of the ghostly cockerel of old Dorking town? Whatever, gets my thumbs up any day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 I used to work in Dorking, and I am not aware of any connections with chickens. I suppose the surrounding areas are rural and farming country, but Dorking itself isn't. It's possibly even more classy than Reigate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 13, 2005 Author Share Posted November 13, 2005 The Dorking chicken is famous because it has 5 toes, is one of the oldest breeds and used to be a major breed of poultry in the south east. Apparently Queen Victoria was partial to their eggs! Whether it was named after the town Dorking, or Dorking took it's name, I'm not quite sure (can't find it on the Internet!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Hi, What an interesting subject! I think the statue would be great . Have looked on the internet at this breed. It is believed to have originated from Italy and introduced to the UK by the romans. Did you have the eggs?. Love from Rebecca and the girls.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 We did. Poached eggs on toast. Very nice although they tasted similar to the shop bought ones because they were freerange as well. Nice and yellow yolks There was a third egg at 7.45 this morning when we let them out. No stopping Geri now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Hi, Bet the eggs were yummy . I'm still waiting, but from what the breeder said our girls are only 16 weeks old. Lily and Rusty have larger combs and wattles than Daisy and Speckle, who have very little of either. Do you think this means they are different ages . How old are your chooks . Love from Rebecca and the girls. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 What a lovely chicken www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/d ... orking.jpg Don't know how to show you other than a link A great idea!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 For those interested Dorking Varieties: White Silver Gray Colored Standard Weights (White): Cock-7-1/2 pounds; hen-6 pounds; cockerel-6-1/2 pounds; pullet-5 pounds. Standard Weights (Silver Gray and Colored): Cock-9 pounds; hen-7 pounds; cockerel-8 pounds; pullet-6 pounds. Skin Color: White. Egg Shell Color: White. Use: A good, general purpose fowl for producing meat and eggs. It was developed for its especially fine quality meat. Origin: The Dorking is believed to have originated in Italy, having been introduced into Great Britain at an early date by the Romans. Much of its development took place in England where it gained much acclaim for its table qualities. The Dorking is one of our oldest breeds of chickens. Characteristics: The Dorking has a rectangular body set on very short legs. It is five toed and has a relatively large comb, thus requiring protection in extremely cold weather. Dorkings are good layers and are one of the few instances where a bird with red earlobes lays a white shelled egg. Most Dorking hens will go broody, make good mothers and are quite docile. Because of their white skin, Dorkings are not as popular in the U.S. as in Europe. BBX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thanks for the info Buffie, it's a handsome bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thank you for all the information! I am shamed that I haven't yet had a chance to look up info on the chicken when I am the one that brought up the subject! (too much time spent looking at the forum than other things!!). Anyway, when the statue is up, I shall post a photo of it so you can all admire it in its splendour! - J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I hope it's big enough and heavy enough so that none us are tempted to 'borrow' it as a garden statue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 That would be a very impressive piece of "Henorabilia" Lesley (Have I spelt your word right Buffie ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Will the statue lay eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I think it was SarahJo's word and it looks right to me Great piece to show in the Gallery though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Word perfect, as usual!! Yes I can see the pugs face arriving home to a huge chicken!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I posted a topic called 'henorabillia' but not sure if it's mine, can I claim it until otherwise contested!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Oooh! Sorry - must be a Senior Moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 It will be 10 feet high so getting it home might be a problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Kate could smuggle it in her big knickers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 Just to let you know I have looked at the local news on the internet and the statue's actually going to be a cockeril not a chicken - just thought I'd better give the correct facts! Wonder what breed??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 Can't believe I just wrote that - it's a Dorking of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 You'd better check they are giving the statue the right number of toes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
