The History of the Hen Fever. A Humorous Record

by Geo. P. (George Pickering) Burnham

"The History of the Hen Fever. A Humorous Record" by Geo. P. Burnham is a humorous account written in the mid-19th century. The work explores the peculiar trend of poultry breeding, notably focusing on the "hen fever" phenomenon that captivated a wide swath of society, from farmers to city dwellers. The narrative seems to revolve around the lives of various poultry enthusiasts and the absurdities of the poultry trade during this period. The opening of the book introduces the author’s early experience with the chicken breeding craze, which began in his home in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in the summer of 1849. He recounts a conversation with a friend who boasts about his extensive variety of fowl, highlighting the eccentricities and ambitions of poultry farmers. From there, the author reflects on his own journey into the poultry world, including ordering the exotic Cochin-China breed and setting the stage for the first brilliant poultry exhibition in Boston. With vivid descriptions and ironic commentary, the opening sets up a whimsical tone, hinting at the humorous misadventures that will follow as more characters become ensnared in the feverish race for unusual and impressive fowls.