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Chicken Keeping the Old Way
Ornamental, Aquatic and Domestic fowl 1

Poultry

Published in 1850, J J Nolan's work was aimed at those who showed poultry which was very popular amongst the landed gentry and those who aspired to emulate them.

Mr Nolan modestly explains in his preface:

Being, for years, an extensive amateur keeper of fine Poultry, Pheasants, &c., as well as all the various sorts of British water-fowl, which gradually led to a very general collection, it occurred to me, that my predilection might be made useful to society, and less expensive to myself, by offering duplicates for sale...

... and having been encouraged, by the approbation of the London Zoological Society, who have awarded me many premiums, in competition with all England, Ireland, and Scotland amd been most successful, at all the Poultry Shows, in Ireland, at which I have exhibited, I beg leave to give the public the advantage of my practical experience.

Of course, the ultimate poultry keeper was Her Majesty, the Queen Empress Victoria

Queen Victoria's Poultry House

Queen's Poultry House

Just click the image to pop-up a larger version.

The Cochin China Fowl

In 1846 Queen Victoria exhibited 3 of her birds at the Royal Dublin Society's Show, which elicited the gold medal. They were evidentally crossed by the Dorking as evinced by their general appearance and being partially furnished with the additional toe.

The hens were subsequently presented to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Heytesbury.

I think this clearly demonstrates the interest amongst the aristocracy in keeping poultry.