These tobacco cards were printed right at the time when fancy chickens were a fad. Extravagant birds were at the height of their popularity. Like this chicken:

This bantam chicken was first developed in Japan in the 1600s, so it is a very, very old breed. As you can see, today’s poultry fanciers aren’t the first to create extremes in body stature and build. This bird is all about looks – wings on the ground, short legs, and a massive upright tail. Not cold or damp hardy, they can only go outside in good weather. Not a hen I’d want in my flock.

I wasn’t  familiar with this meat bird, so I looked through my collection of vintage poultry books, and discovered a listing for it in British Poultry, published in 1927, which states that in America it is styled as “Cornish game.” Take a look at how strong this specimen is. It looks like an elongated modern Cornish. The entry in the book says that these birds do best when running in almost a wild state until maturity. And that, if interested in taking to poultry shows, a good specimen, with proper attention, can be used for years. Contrast that with our modern meat bird, that is so breast-heavy that it can no longer mate naturally, and that grows so fast, that if it’s not harvested for meat at under three-months of age, will die before the age of one, anyway. (Imagine the Hulk, bursting forth, but not going on with powerful muscles, but rather collapsing from the transformation.)

This card reminds me of what has happened to many of our domestic breeds. You just have to look at the pug to see where we’ve gone too far breeding for certain traits.

Do any of my UK readers have experience with the Indian? Are they still available? I hope that they are, and that their genetics are being put to good use.

The Houdan’s array of feathers on her head is not as extravagant as that on the Polish. That crazy V-shaped comb works to keep the feathers in place, rather like a hairband. Does this mean that the hen is also not as ditzy as the Polish? Do you keep Houdans? Tell me about their personalities.

For as long as humans have kept poultry there has been cock fighting. It’s a horrible bloody “sport” and is banned in many states. But, out of that history comes this interesting and unique breed. I hear that they are full of personality and fun to watch. It’s important to keep them around so that genetic diversity in domestic chickens is maintained.

For those of you that, as children, dreamed of keeping a pet dinosaur, this is the breed for you.

You might even get an egg or two.

This is a glorious-looking bird. The ear muffs and beard! Those feathered feet! Those fluffy pantaloons!

So charming, but I don’t keep this breed. I stay away from feather-footed beauties. They’re higher maintenance than I like to have around. Ice and muck cling to those leg and foot feathers. Rather than providing warmth, they’re a detriment in New England where we say that we have five seasons – spring, summer, fall, winter, and mud.

Besides, they’re not known for their eggs.

Do you keep Faverolles? Are they worth the trouble? Let me know – your comment doesn’t have to be in a poem, but extra points if it is :)