Is there anything more calming and cheering than a flock of inquisitive, chuckling hens? I think not. Even in these busiest of days, give yourself permission to sit for awhile with your feathered girlfriends. A moment with the chickens recharges my tolerance level so that I’m able to go grocery shopping and not go crazy when I hear yet another tinny rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy.” Whatever it is that you find annoying, it will be less so after a calming session with hens.
This is what is called a RPPC – a real photo post card. Back at the beginning of the 20th century people often had their snapshots made into postcards. This image is one such RPPC. I don’t know the story behind this as there’s no writing on the back, but I think that this photograph is the perfect expression of a winter’s day. With chickens.
Just look at the tassel on the boy’s hat! The wagon is homemade out of a soap box. The rooster and his two hens seem to be enjoying the ride. I wonder where they’re going. Don’t you?
I’ve turned this photograph into a holiday greeting card. It is available at Zazzle.
This photo dates from between 1907 and 1914. I know this because of the style of the printing on the back of the card. I am assuming that this child is a boy because of his dress. Girls at that time did not wear trousers. This child has a boy’s plaid pants and matching suit coat on underneath a winter jacket that has been outgrown. He’s also wearing boots that were likely borrowed from an older male relative. If this were the 1950s, then the clothing would be appropriate for a girl, but, not so in 1910.
Old photographs come to me separated from their histories. Dealers cut them out of albums, and take them out of a boxed collections, so by the time that I purchase them, all I know is what I see.
What I see here is a young boy with two very loved and well-cared for goats. Just look the goats’ trimmed and buttoned wool coats! The smile on the lefthand goat reminds me very much of Pip. Don’t you agree?
There must be a story. He’s Professor Ring? The goats perform? I’ve looked on-line and there’s a mention in a Utah newspaper from 1893, but the archive is locked. I have a very busy day today, and am headed out the door; tomorrow I’ll go to my wonderful town library, with it’s wonderful research librarian, and see if I can find out more. But, I couldn’t wait to share this with you. While I’m uncovering the true story, let’s make one up. I imagine that there is a balancing act and hoops. What do you think these goats do when they perform?
This is the booklet that I quoted in today’s post. Although in 1923 farming was on the cusp of change – chickens were moving into climate and heat controlled housing and flocks were getting larger – the vast majority of chickens were still raised in small groups on diversified farms. Not yet invented were antibiotics that in the future would allow for crowding and the brutal conditions of factory production facilities. In the early 20th century, farmers had to rely on light, air, exercise, sanitation and observation. These remain the foundation of good backyard chicken keeping today.
My favorite line in this pamphlet is the last, Every feeding mixture can be improved by the addition of a liberal amount of common sense.
I purchased this booklet on eBay, but you don’t have to hunt down an original copy. You can read it online in the University of Illinois archives here. (Thank you to a librarian reader of HenCam who pointed me to this source!)
For my commonsense take on what to feed your hens, read my FAQ.
Before the invention of the Brownie camera, before there were snapshots, you had to go to the studio of a professional photographer. It was expensive. You wore your finest clothes. Having a photographic portrait taken was a big deal.
Some proud parents dressed their sons in Lord Fauntleroy outfits.
And they brought chickens.
(unmarked photograph dating from the early 1890s)
