Many have contributed to the formation and perfection of the Dominique breed. It is impossible to recognize them all, however a few will be presented, that fanciers might better appreciate the challenges that have faced these individuals. For more information on breeders of the past, refer to The American Dominique by Mark A. Fields.
In John C. Bennett's "The Poultry Book," which was published in 1850, the author described George W. Pierce, of Danvers, Massachusetts, as a breeder of merit who had Dominiques which had not exhibited "the least variation in their appearance for the last thirty years -- they are very hardy, healthy and excellent layers." These are glowing terms to describe a breed and are certainly a tribute to the breeder.
Remember, this book was published in 1850, Peirce himself was very proud of his Dominiques, for this same book quotes from a letter of this concerning these fowls, "I believe them (Dominiques) to be one of the best breeds of fowl we have (in America) and I do not know of any breed that alters so little by in and in (sic) breeding: they are first rate layers."
Bennett's book included a wood-cut of a pair of Peirce's Dominiques. To be featured by Bennett under the heading "The Dominique Fowl", George Peirce must have been one of the outstanding Dominique breeders of that period.
Further, Mr. Pierce has the distinction of being one of the four individuals to exhibit Dominiques at America's first poulty show, held on the 15th & 16th of November 1849 at the Public Garden in Boston.
David, one of the Charter Members
of the Dominique Club of America, is pictured here with a cockerel named "August" which
won the 1978 Cobbleskill, New York Poultry Shows' top honors. Judge Richard Langenbach stated the
Dominiques at Cobbleskill were perhaps the best he had ever judged and David's cockerel
"August" was perhaps the best he had the pleasure of judging.
David agrees and has said this was possibly the best cockerel he ever raised. Unfortunately, a few days after this picture was taken, a neighbor's dog tore into David's poultry yard and killed August and most of the hens.
David, a priest of the Fransciscan Order, is the last living link to the breeders of old. While forming his flock he had benefit of the experiences of Robert Henderson, Ed Uber and J. Carl Gallaher. His correspondence and work with Carl Gallaher saved the last of the pure lines of American Dominiques.
Mr. Hyman grew up on a dairy farm in Strykersville, New York where his love of animals began. Throughout early adulthood he had chickens but it was Art Rowsam, a stringman in Lowville, New York, who told him in 1973, "If you're going to have chickens, get some purebred ones."
Early in his priesthood, at Allegany, New York, the cook at the rectory asked Mr. Hyman what he would like for Christmas. His reply was for a copy of the A.P.A. Standard of Perfection. This, his first Standard, remains in his library today. From the Standard he learned the Dominique was America's oldest breed and quite rare. This peaked his interest in the Dominique. Searching Poultry Press he located an advertisement from Carl Gallaher and, as David put it, "That's where it all began." Carl willingly supplied David with two hens and a cock, the foundation for the Hyman line.
Later, stock from Ed Uber's flock and the Voters' pens were added to David's line. With the addition of the Uber blood there was a marked improvement in the color and the incidence of crooked toes began to diminish. The females these matings produced has few peers for many years. Roger Voter, upon helping David cull his young birds in 1986, commented, "You and I have the finest Dominiques in the world", and this from a man who did not give praise lightly or without merit.
From the beginning the Dominique flock was plagued with Mareks Disease. While located in New Hampshire, between 1972 and 1974, David was able to obtain positive identification for Mareks from the laboratories at the University of New Hampshire. Armed with this information a rigorous vaccination program was begun. Unable to perform the vaccination himself, he would drive to Breakfast Hill Hatchery in Greenland, New Hampshire where the owner, Mr. Richard Coombs, would come to his car and vaccinate the chicks, always with David holding the chicks through the car window while the vaccinate was being applied. David feels that Science has contributed to the salvation of the Dominique as, prior to vaccination, many would die before reaching maturity.
At one time Mr. Coombs seriously discussed with David the possibility of producing Dominiques commercially. He said with a flock of 100 he and his geneticists could bring the Dominique up to the status of a production breed while maintaining its exhibition qualities. Unfortunately the hatchery would need a committed market before it would undertake the project and, as one could not be provided, nothing ever came of the discussions.
While continuing his studies and ministries David moved from State to State taking his Dominiques with him. At different times his flocks have been located in New York, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Colorado, South Carolina and Maryland. Occasionally, when he moved the Dominiques would have to stay behind for a period until new facilities were located. His flocks could always be found inside the city limits and generally in violation of local regulations, though no complaint was issued against the birds.
During his 20 years of breeding and exhibiting Dominiques David received numerous awards. At a Cobbleskill, New York show in 1978 judge Richard Langenbach, after placing the cockerel "August" champion Dominique and Best American Class Large Fowl, commented, "I didn't know such quality still existed." The Dominique display was impressive enough to warrant special mention at the banquet that evening.
During David's last year in South Carolina (1987) he shipped out over 200 chicks in lots of 25. When he was preparing to move from South Carolina it became apparent that he would not be able to keep the Dominiques at this new location and with great sadness turned them over to Roger and Carol Voter and Robert Brachmann where they were absorbed into the new owner's flocks. After 20 years of breeding Dominiques David passed the torch on to others.
Mark Fields in an interview with David Hyman, asked why there were not more Dominiques, to which David replied:
"Carl (Gallaher) said the Dominique is a real fancier's fowl, difficult to breed to perfection. You have to stay with the breed for the long haul to see better than what you started with."
"I was tempted to give up many times. We want the "easy street." I kept going because there were enough people who loved the breed and they kept my interest alive. Plus, it's American history. These things held my attention."
"I grieved upon giving up the Dominiques."
While many, after giving up their favorite breed, disappear from the poultry fancy, David has continued to be a staunch supporter of the Dominique breed and the Dominique Club of America. His help, guidance and in-sight were invaluable in the writing of "The American Dominique".
David Hyman will be remembered long after his passing for having saved the last of the pure flocks of Dominiques from extinction. Despite suppressed vigor, crooked toes and Mareks Disease, the price of long inbreeding, David inched the Dominique back from the precipice of extinction and while doing so, returned it to the quality required by the Standard of Perfection.