1800s Spanish Chickens Hand-colored Print 19th century Poultry Rooster Hen Fowls

Description: Antique hand-colored print , " Spanish ". Spanish chickens ; rooster and hen outdoors, with another in the far background. White-faced with black feathers. --------- Antique woodcut ; undated but this was printed in the late 19th century. Around 130+ years old. Hand-colored long ago with watercolor paints. Matted and framed by a former owner. Solid wood picture frame. Frame size overall is about 9.25" x 11.25" ( this frame is for housing a 7" x 9" picture ) The print is under glass. Wire hanger at the back. -------- Very good condition. Colored print, frame, and glass; all are in very good condition. Tight wire hanger; ready to hang. Carefully packed for shipment to the buyer. --------- Additional information : Spanish Chicken ; a heritage breed. Breed Facts : Status: Critically few of this ancient breed remain, today. Use: good layer of eggs ( large eggs , chalk white in color ). Weight: the male about 8 lbs., the female about 6.5 lbs Temperament: active, rather vocal, quite curious. The White-Faced Black Spanish chicken has been described as the aristocrat of the poultry world. The chicks can be rather flighty, which is common in Mediterranean breeds, but the adults hold themselves like a Spanish Don - head up, one foot forward, and with a calm demeanor. No other breed of chicken can embody the word " aristocrat " in its posture as well as the Spanish chicken. Spanish chickens are of an ancient lineage, possibly developed in Holland in the 18th century, or even earlier from old Castilian stock. They were known in England in the late 1700s. The breed came to America from Holland and, from 1825 to about 1895, was one of the best-known poultry breeds. During the early 1860s, Spanish chickens were popular in New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and as far west as Ohio. Farmers who specialized in market eggs kept large flocks of this breed as late as 1895. Spanish chickens were exhibited at the first poultry shows in both America and England. In England, it was the first breed for which classes were maintained at all the poultry shows. In America, the breed was exhibited as early as 1854 at the New York State Poultry Society show by J. P. Childs of Woonsocket , Rhode Island . Until about 1895 the White-Faced Black Spanish was one of the best-known improved breeds, however by the late 1800s change came. The decline of the Spanish chicken began as older strains with moderate white faces were displaced as a popular laying breed by the Minorca and Leghorn. Then show fanciers began to compete to produce the largest white face. Breeders paid more and more attention to increasing the size of the white face in the Spanish chicken, and a great loss of hardiness of the bird was observed. This, combined with the somewhat delicate nature of the young chicks, soon led to a lower rate of survival. Poultry raisers of the more practical mind began selecting other, hardier breeds, and the Spanish chicken began to disappear. Today the breed survives, but in vastly smaller numbers. ------ Spanish chickens were admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection under the name of White-Faced Black Spanish in 1874. In plumage, the Spanish chicken is a lustrous greenish-black with tight-fitting feathers and moderately flowing tails. The tremendous white ear lobes and white faces set them apart from other breeds; they resemble something the artist Salvador Dali might have painted, as their faces appear melted and extend downward. But this breed long predates Dali - so their appearance would be more likely to have influenced his art. They are a non-sitting fowl with dark brown eyes, dark slate shanks and toes. Males have large, upright combs; female combs are large but flop over, and care needs to be taken to avoid frostbite in cold climates. Spanish chickens are known and recognized for their ability to lay a large number of white eggs – being recognized for this even before 1816 in England. They are not a cuddly breed. This aristocrat prefers to roam, and, although they can be confined, they will not be happy about it. They are not a particularly aggressive breed; they remain rather aloof in a flock situation with other breeds. They are quite vocal. Spainish chickens are less hardy than average, because of the selected breeding that was done in the 1800s specifically to produce the large white earlobes and faces. They need an extra degree of care in both heat and cold. This is a breed that needs careful stewards who can appreciate the rarity of these heritage birds.

Price: 50 USD

Location: Coventry, Rhode Island

End Time: 2024-03-19T14:27:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD