The Dominique chicken was an important contributor to the family farm in the 19th century. Dominiques continue to provide eggs and meat at the Kelley Farm.

Young hatches of chicks provide for future laying hens and a breeding flock. Visitors to the Kelley Farm often see a hen waddle across the farmstead followed by 10 or 12 chicks.

Hens and roosters populate the farm yard daily. Chickens scratch through the manure for insects, eat crickets and grasshoppers and often provide a noisy backdrop on peaceful farm mornings.