If you’re looking to start a 100% historically accurate flock of your own, one that focuses on several diverse breeds from a certain time period, you might be disappointed. Up until the latter half of the 19th century, the average household flock would have been fairly deluded.
This is because purebred
birds would have more likely of been found in or near ports cities. When the
birds were taken or traded further inland, the more diluted the breed become as
the birds gradually mix with other chickens. This was unless of course there
was more of an effort to keep the breed pure that is.
More affluent farmers, those who
had the means, or those with an interests in birds (mainly cockfighting) would
have been more likely to keep and refine a certain breed of fowl for one reason
or another. Still, this does not mean
that farmers of lesser means would never have had a pure bred chicken as
chickens were often used in trade. The
purest chickens of the time would have been game birds, especially in the south
though many of these breeds have been lost to time. It’s also important to keep in mind that those who raised chickens did so for more for the eggs and not necessarily for just the meat. Yes, cockerels, male chickens under a year old, were generally fattened up and eaten when they were hatched but breeding came from the desire for bigger eggs not for bigger “monster” chickens.
So if you still want a flock just as the average farmer would have had in the early or mid-1800’s then go with a flock of crossbred game birds. But if you would like to have a flock that focuses on popular breeds of a certain era, then I say go for it! Even by raising a few chickens you would be helping to preserve a heritage breed of poultry as well as a small bit of our history. I find that pretty amazing!
Below is a quick list of some poultry breeds from
1800-1900 many of which are threatened.
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| Dominque 19th Century Image |
Breeds
1800-1840’s
DominqueIt is believed that the Dominque was imported from what is today Haiti and is recognized as America’s first chicken breed. They were fairly common in the American colonies as early as 1750 but really took off in the 1820’s.
Dorking
This chicken is famous for being good layers, quality meat, and five toes. They come in several varieties with the white colored Dorking being the oldest, having originated sometime before 43 A.D. The breed came to America before 1840 and were entered in their first poultry show in 1849. In 1904 they were the most popular breed in England and are known to be a fairly docile breed.
Java
The Java Chicken came to the United States sometime
after 1835 but before 1850. They come infour colors with the black having a green sheen to it. They were prized for their high quality of meat and egg production.
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| Queenie, our barred Plymouth Rock pullet |
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| Polish Chicken 19th Century Image |
Polish
Contrary to the name the Polish chicken did not originate in Poland. It is believed that these birds were brought from Spain and then to Holland before coming to America sometime in the 1830’s. This breed was kept primarily for its egg laying and by the 1850’s they were fairly widespread.
Breeds
1850’s-1869
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| Andalusian Chicken |
Andalusian
Sometime between 1850 and 1855 this breed came from England to the United States. This chicken has a distinct blue feathers and white earlobes. They are known as wonderful foragers and lay a large number of eggs.
Buttercup
Although Buttercups came to America from Sicily in 1835 it was documented as being sold in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1860 amongst neighbors when they has become more common. They are also known as the “Flowerbird” because of its coloring and the two single combs that merge in front over its beak.
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| Hamburg Chicken Varieties |
Hamburg
The Hamburg is an old breed. It originated in
Holland sometime before the 1300’s and were developed into the Silver Penciled
and the Golden Penciled varieties. In 1785 they made their way to England and
arrived in America around 1856.
Redcap
From the early 1800’s until the middle of the
century, the Redcap was one of the most profitable birds on the English market.
The breed was brought over before 1870 and was prized for its high egg
production
Breeds
1870’s-1900
Orpington
This chicken was bred to be a good layer with good quality
of meat. It was developed in 1886 in
London and showed up in a Madison Square Garden in 1895 |
| Wyandotte Chickens 19th century image |
Wyandotte
This breed was developed in the United States in the 1870’s
and appears in 15 different varieties. They really started to take off in the
1880’s and 1890’s.
Rhode Island Red
This is one of the most well-known American breedsof chicken. They were first developed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1880’s. They are famous for their large brown eggs and the fact that they can lay 200 to 300 eggs a year.
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| Buckeye Hen and Rooster 1910 Image |
Buckeye
These birds have been developed to be cold-weather tolerant and have the distinction of being developed by a woman. Nettie Metcalf lived in Warren, Ohio in the late 1800’s and was looking to develop a bird that would be more tolerant to Ohio’s cold winters and hot summers. Her breed was introduced something in the late 1890’s and it really took off. Though often confused with the Rhode Island Red, these birds have their own characteristics and are not as aggressive.
Jersey Giant
Jersey Giants were developed between 1870 and 1890
by two brothers from, where else, New Jersey. The brothers wanted to develop a
bird that would eventually replace the turkey and breed these birds to weigh up
to 13 pounds a bird.
Backyard Poultry Magazine
More sources available on request
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