The Scots Dumpy chicken is a unique Scottish bird that is used for egg laying. Hens of this breed produce around 180 white eggs each year. They are highly likely to go broody and make excellent mothers when they do.
This is a dual-purpose breed, meaning that they are raised for meat as well as egg production.
Jump to:
Scots Dumpy Chicken Breed Quick Info
Scots Dumpy Chicken Description
| Scots Dumpy Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Black and white barred |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | White |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Scots Dumpy Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Medium |
| Scots Dumpy Special Care Needs: | Yes |
| Is the Scots Dumpy breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare |
Scots Dumpy Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Scots Dumpy Temperament: | Docile, gentle |
| Scots Dumpy Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Scots Dumpy Egg Production
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 180 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | High |
Scots Dumpy Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 4.25 lbs |
| Dressed Weight Female | 5 lbs |
Scots Dumpy Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Excellent |
Scots Dumpy Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5-6 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 4-6 Months |
Scots Dumpy Size at Maturity
| Male | 6 lbs |
| Female | 7 lbs |
Origins of Scots Dumpy Chicken
The Scots Dumpy chicken originated in Scotland. It is a very old breed, dating back over 1,000 years to early Saxon times. It is believed that Romans used birds similar to today’s Scots Dumpy as alarm birds to warn them when strangers were approaching their camps.
This breed declined in popularity during the 20th century, but in the 1970s, several Scottish breeders resolved to bring the breed back. Today, they remain rare, especially outside of Scotland.
Some Things to Know About Scots Dumpy Chicken
The Scots Dumpy bird has a very unique appearance. Their legs are only about one and a half inches long. This causes them to waddle from side to side rather than walk or run like other chickens breeds.
They have a flat, broad body and a red single comb and earlobes. There is both a large and bantam version of this breed. The main two color varieties that you can find are black and cuckoo, though blue and white do exist.
How Easy is it to Keep Scots Dumpy Chickens?
The Scots Dumpy chicken can stand confinement but prefers to be free-range. However, they need solid, stable ground due to their short legs.
They are a hardy breed that does well in cold climates. They can be noisy, though, which does not make them ideal for those who live in urban or suburban neighborhoods.
Overall, they make wonderful pets due to their gentle, docile nature.
Special Care and Considerations for Scots Dumpy Chickens
As with all chickens with a single comb, the Scots Dumpy is at risk of developing frostbite in the winter. You can use a swipe of vaseline to help protect their comb from freezing in low temperatures.
This breed is hardy but can be susceptible to external parasites like mites and fleas. They should be checked regularly to avoid infestation.
They should also be fed a diet that prevents them from becoming overweight. This is because they already struggle to walk due to their short legs.
