Museum welcomes donation of prize-winning bantams
A POULTRY breeder who supplied a museum with its only living exhibits aims to help spread the word about her hobby.
Jane Freeman of Hurst gave the Museum of English Rural Life in Redlands Road, Reading, two of her bantams, small chickens.
It is all part of the museum’s project to bring together information about the history of poultry keeping and tell the public about it.
Jane’s creamy coloured Sulmtaler and black and buff Vorwerk bantams moved into a specially built poultry house and run.
The house, which has a moss covered roof, and run were designed by an artist in residence.
The two bantams have settled into their new life and have proved a hit, particularly with child visitors.
Jane, who is Reading and District Bantam Society’s secretary said: “We’re aiming to reach out to the wider public about the enjoyment of keeping poultry. It’s a bit addictive really.
“It means you are outside in the fresh air with the birds. And I like the competing side, trying to breed better birds each year.
“It’s lovely watching them, mine do their best to come into the kitchen looking for their afternoon tea.
“Then there’s the constant supply of fresh eggs. The supermarket ones are nothing like them.”
Jane has had continued showing success this year. Her two black Croadlangshan bantams both won their classes at Berkshire County Show recently.
One of the birds was best in show, beating 300 birds from all over the country, at the earlier Shaftsbury and Gillingham Show.