Dominique

The Dominique is a medium sized chicken. Its heavy black and white barred plumage keeps the birds warm during cold weather and makes them harder for predators to spot. They are good for both brown egg production and for eating. Their feathers make excellent stuffing for pillows and feather beds.

The Dominique is a very hardy breed and can do as well foraging on the open range as in a coop. The hens raise a clutch or two of chicks each year. The roosters tend to be protective of their flock and somewhat aggressive.

This is a rare and distinctly American breed, dating back to early New England. This stock was widely raised in the eastern half of the United States by mid 19th century. The breed was generally known as the Dominique except in New England, where they were called Plymouth Rock or Pilgrim fowls. A differentiation between Plymouth Rock and Dominique was made in 1870: the Dominique is a rose combed fowl of intermediate size and the Plymouth Rock is a single-combed, medium to large sized breed. To the average person, they look very much alike.

James Latta may have had this breed of chicken or one very similar to it, on the plantation.