The Poultry Fancy In Silsden

Midway through the 19^th Century the nail makers adopted a hobby, which brought nationwide recognition to Silsden for the quality of the poultry bred there. Tucked away behind their forges, the men put broody hens onto clutches of eggs for hatching.

Keen competition developed as individuals took a fancy to a particular breed and began to specialise. Careful selection produced finer birds and rivalry intensified as birds from Silsden began to win prizes at the top shows in Britain.

Stories were told for generations of surreptitious visits made to rival smithies in an attempt to discover their secrets, or to steal a few eggs for hatching; even to “borrow” the services of an envied male bird. This rivalry was handed on from father to son and for close on half a century some of the finest poultry in England could be seen wandering the streets of the small West Riding village of Silsden. These were birds, which had travelled in their wicker baskets the length and breadth of Britain to win prizes at leading national shows such as Olympia and the Crystal Palace events.

 Silver-pencilled Wyandottes, Orpingtons and Hamburghs, Cochin and Pekin bantams and Old English Game were some of the breeds brought to perfection by the nail makers of Silsden and their descendants. The International Grand Trophy for best bird in show at the Crystal Palace show, the country’s top event for the poultry fancy, came to Silsden on a number of occasions.

 A man named W.S.Lambert won it in 1911 and 1912 (a feat unheard of until then) and James Green in 1913 beat 4,000 other exhibitors to capture the trophy for Silsden once more, with an Old English Game cock.

Mr Green was secretary for over 20 years of the Pekin and Cochin National Club and several of the special breed clubs were founded in Silsden. Naturally, Silsden fanciers were invited to judge the breeds in which they specialised at top shows in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

 So great was Silsden’s fame over its poultry that the story is related of an Assize Court judge, hearing the name for the first time, asking, “Where is this place Silsden? And what kind of place is it?”

 “M’Lud,” came the reply, “Silsden is as well known in the poultry world as is Newmarket in the world of the racehorse”.

 And this tradition began with the nailmakers, continuing until the late nineteen-twenties. Today Silsden is still noted for the quality of the poultry bred there, but in accordance with the economic need of the times, the fancy breeds have been replaced by the utility varieties and its success in laying tests rather than on the show bench that is the modern aim.

 Author unknown, probably c. 1945

 Reproduced from Edward Boothmans poultry archives.