Even before photoshop, people doctored images to get a laugh. What you see going on here is a delivery of poultry via horse power. Farmers were paid for their product by the wagonload. When a poultry dealer came to town and a long line of wagons would line up through main street, waiting their turn to be weighed. The gentleman that you see to the front of the photo is working the weights of the scale. Once a price was agreed upon, the crates of chickens would be put onto a freight train to take to processing near the city.
Recognize the breeds in this wagon? Barred feathers are found on a number of breeds, so they’re not necessarily Barred Rocks. Your guess is as good as mine. Chime in!
Perhaps domonique and a coupledom light Brahmas
It goes to show you how important my morning food and tea are that, when I first looked at this picture, I squinted and went, “What the ?”. :D How awesome that you found this picture!
Reminds me of the Jackalope postcards I used to see in every gas station and diner between Barstow and Salt Lake City.
I was thinking Maran…
I’m seeing a small bird hanging around the entrance to the hens’ barn. Not sure how it would have gotten in there but the hens don’t seem to mind ut.
House sparrows move into the barn during the winter. It’s impossible to keep them out. Periodically you’ll see us shooing them out of the coop – we try to not let them get too comfortable!
Yeah, Photoshop has definitely made things easier: the ones who did this pic had real skills.
I agree with Jonathon: I would guess Light Brahmas and Dominiques as well, given the year (1910).
I’m guessing Brahmas because of what looks like feathered legs on the hen second from the left.
The first hen on the left could be Barred Plymouth Rock too, but it’s hard to tell if the feather pattern is barred or cuckoo from the photo.
Looks like a ” Rumble in the Jungle ” with chickens, funny. :)
Also 2 white ones with neck bars look like Light Sussex and they are classed as a Heritage Breed so quite old.
They are not dominiques because of the comb. They could be maran or barred rock but there are so many with barred feathers it’s hard to tell.
I should have said that dominiques have a pea comb. They were the first chickens I kept.