Laura Ingalls Wilder was noted for the chickens she raised and exhibited, and a part of that renown was her ability to get her hens to lay in winter, as well as the specific mix of grains she fed them. A good biography on her is a very interesting read.
Many families in those days very much did raise specific breeds. My 98 year old aunt remembers telling her grandmother when she was a very small girl how pretty she thought the neighbor lady's domineckers were and my great grandmother told her "My chickens are better!" They were white leghorns.
My grandfather was a pastor during the depression, and it was not uncommon for him to get paid with a chicken or other barter items. I am sure that bartered chickens such as the doctor gave to Charles would have created a mixed flock, but many people did have their own preferences that they kept and bred from their own birds.
Many families in those days very much did raise specific breeds. My 98 year old aunt remembers telling her grandmother when she was a very small girl how pretty she thought the neighbor lady's domineckers were and my great grandmother told her "My chickens are better!" They were white leghorns.
My grandfather was a pastor during the depression, and it was not uncommon for him to get paid with a chicken or other barter items. I am sure that bartered chickens such as the doctor gave to Charles would have created a mixed flock, but many people did have their own preferences that they kept and bred from their own birds.
