Sometimes the Cochin-China and the Shanghai were used interchangeably, however, some argued they were two different species. I ve been unable to find the old-fashioned game hen. These tended to be held around October . My interest in chickens predated my involvement in reenacting, so I'm not up on exactly what breeds are period-correct. I know some of the most popular breeds commercially didn't exist in the civil war.
Chickens require dry, draft-free shelter.
If they can run free, they will wipe out the insect pests in your garden. Chickens have a hierarchy and, like many reenactors, worry a great deal about where they find themselves in the pecking order. They need to have a roost commensurate with their status, otherwise they get peevish. Their manure is, when composted, excellent fertilizer. Chickens will also clean up vegetable scraps.