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Chicken Keeping the Old Way -
The Poultry Book One, Set 1

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These pictures were taken from a downloaded copy of The Poultry Book by Rev. W Wingfield & C W Johnson, Esq. with pictures by Harrison Weir reproduced using the Leighton Brother's Chromatic Process. Published in 1850.

The book is described as: "Comprising the characteristics, management, breeding and medical treatment of poultry being the results of personal observation and the practice of the best breeders. The Reverend Wingfield was the Honorary Secretary of the Cornwall Poultry Society and Mr Johnson the Honorary Secretary of the Winchester Society for the Improvement of Poultry.

Mr Sturgeon's White Shanghae Cock

Bred by Mrs Herbert according to the caption this rather proud and tough looking cockerel is shown with his flock in the background as he stands guard.

The spelling of Shanghae was correct in the 1800's but now we spell it Shanghai - I assume similar to the way Peking has become Beijing.

Shanghae, Cochin and Brahma were collectively known as China Fowl and the term Shanghae eventually was subsumed into Cochins

Buff Shanghae Cock - "Jerry"

Another of Mr Sturgeon's flock, Jerry was presumably also bred by Mrs Herbert. You can see quite clearly from the illustration that he has the same conformation as the white Shanghai, just his colours being different.

Once again he stands proudly guarding his hens against all who might threaten them in this 1853 portrait by Harrison Weir.

Arguments raged in the 1850s as to the difference between Shanghae's and Cochins if any but they agreed they came from China

Buff Shanghae Hen - "The Queen"

You've got to admit she looks rather royal.

According to the book, the minimum weight at maturity should be some 8½lbs with the cock being some 11lbs, so not small birds by any means. There's not a great deal of discussion of egg production in relation to the breed but he is primarily interested in the appearance on the show bench.

Partridge Shanghae Hen & Cock

Bred by Mr Punchard. As with any domesticated animal, breeders would produce 'sub-varieties' from the main. The Partridge being so called due to the plumage colour, of course, not a cross-breeding with another species which is impossible.

Mr Punchard was apparently the champion of this plumage pattern, the book says "The hens are beautifully, and very uniformly, penciled, and approach, we think, when well bred, nearest in quality of feathering to the Buffs."