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Chicken Keeping the Old Way -
The Poultry Book One, Set 3

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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.

Hre we have the mis-named Gary Dorkings (far too pretty for that name), Game Fowl and the amazing Polish breeds

The writing style of the book is, as was common in its age, difficult for those used to short paragraphs and textspeak, but the images are timeless.

Gray Dorkings Cockerel & Hen

The name doesn't really do them justice, Captain Hornby's Gray Dorkings were anything but gray and boring and by the second version of this book in 1867 this illustration was renamed Coloured Dorkings

The book says "We believe that the fowl now known as the Dorking might be much more correctly designated the English Fowl.

This opinion is founded on the probability that they are either lineal descendants, of course with various intermixtures, from those which our British forefathers bred at the time when they first became intimately known to the Romans;..."

Black-Breasted Red Game Fowl

More of Captain Hornby's birds. Sadly one of the main reasons for breeding these beautiful game hens was cock fighting. This was not just legal at the time the book was written but a respectable 'sport' supported by the gentry.

Those who opposed it were viewed as being somewhat mad by the majority. Happily, the opposite now applies and this animal cruelty is illegal.

Golden Spangled Polands (Polish)

Of all the breeds of chicken, the Polish have to be the most amazing. Their amazing head feathers forming bonnets above the incredible neck feathers and beautiful plumage.

The premier breeder at this time was Mr W G Vivian whose hens these were. At this time they were often known as Polands but 15 years later the term Polish was accepted as the norm.

Buff Polish Fowl

Yet more of Mr Vivian's Polish hens. The Buff Polish have the classic Polish bonnet but the White Polish to the right of the picture have a different head feather style.

They also seem to have long leg feathers whereas the Buff Polish don't.