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Chicken Keeping the Old Way -
The Poultry Book One, Set 2

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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.

In this set we have more of the 'Shanghae' fowl and then a magnificent Dorking and a Spanish cockerel and hen.

The wonderful illustrations are by Harrison Weir "and printed in colours under his superintendence" Some of his illustrations appeared in the 1867 Poultry Book along with others and I have avoided duplication.

Light Cinnamon Shanghae Hen

Another result of Mr Punchard's breeding program.

"The hens are much prettier, some of those of a uniform light cinnamon hue being as neat in their appearance, and matching as well the Buffs; and they are often without the dark markings in the neck hackle, which some judges (too fastidious, as we venture to think,) object to in many of the Buffs"

She certainly looks a pretty hen in her portrait!

Lemon Shanghae Hen and Cock

Yet another variant on the Shanghae, bred by Mr Potts in this instance.

The most striking thing in this picture is the large difference in size between the male and female. Although these illustrations are works of art, they're also technical drawings and so I assume the relative sizes are correct.

This is backed up in the text where the expected weight of the cock is around 50% more than the hen.

White Dorking Cockerel

This bird, with his magnificent tail feathers, was the property of Harrison Weir, the artist himself.

Sadly there were colour plates of chickens in the original that haven't been scanned and digitised. On reading these download books I've come across quite a few missing pages.

I'd love to have a copy of the original but I expect it's well out of my price range - certainly more than a free download!

Black Spanish Cockerel & Hen

Belonging to Captain Hornby R. N.(obviously the second son of the family as the heir wouldn't risk himself in the navy!) these really do look Spanish to me.

You can imagine this pair breaking out into a Flamenco, definitely Spanish Grandees, the erect stance and dramatic tail feathers standing proud.

As they appear, somewhat lighter than the Shanghaes, the cocks being around 7lbs.