The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-08
POULTRY SHOW IS
DRAWING CROWDS
Great interest in Method of
Judging Fowls
AWARDS MADE LAST NIGHT
J. C. Adams Of Montgomery Wins
Number of First Prizes - Blr-
mlneham Man Gets First Prize
on Plymouth Rock Hen.

The attendance at the poultry snow
yesterday more than doubled that of the
previous day and interest was added to
the exhibition by the work Of Loring
Brown, the official judge.
Mr.. Brown, who Is regarded as one of
the best poultry experts in the United
States. began his work early in the morn
ing and by noon he had completed his
examination OF the barred Plymouth
Rocks. An interested crowd of poultry
raisers followed Mr.. Brown as he slow
ly made his way through the aisles and
his scoring was watched closely by those
who appeared to know what the calling
of figures means. Occasionally the spec
tators grew so curious that Mr.. Brown
was forced to answer questions, which
he did to the satisfaction of the onlook-
ers.
Mr.. Brown owns a valuable poultry
farm near Smyrna, Ca, and was appoint
ed one Of the judges at the worlds fair.
He had to resign, however, as he had
several fowls entered for competition. He
has been engaged in the poultry business
all his life and understands thoroughly
every mark about a chicken, or birds,
as they are technically called.
All of the birds are now on exhibit and
great crowd viewed them yesterday.
Owners of poultry farms are on hand
to tell visitors about their fowls and at
times the rivalry between these poultry
breeders grows exciting.
Manner of Judging.
AS few persons seemed to understand
the manner in which birds are judged,
Mr.. Brown explained the system to one
or two of the unlearned. A perfect bird
gets mark OF 100 points and this is the
basis. Up to this time no chicken has
ever been scored 100, the best mark be-
ing 81. Taking 100 as basis the judge
examines each chicken carefully and calls
out the "cut OFFS or marks of defect.
When these cut offs" are summed up
they are subtracted from 100 and the re-
suit is the mark of the chicken, the one
receiving the highest mark getting first
prize. the next best second and the next
third.
For the protection of breeders and for
the science of poultry breeding there are
many points on which birds are entirely
disqualified. A Topped comb is always a
disqualification. Topped comb is a
comb that will not stand erect.
Experts explain that Topped combed
chicken should never be allowed to enter
contest. 1t is bred in the blood and
soon the breed would fall off until it
reached the scrub stage Such fowls as
this are not allowed to enter contest
under any consideration, II being the idea
of judges to elevate the breeds at all
times and not allow anything to cause
| a deterioration.
First Examines Head.
When the Judge takes bird from the
coop he begins by examining its head.
The eyes, comb. beak and shape and col
or count several points Any defect there
counts several points off. The general
carriage and weight of the bird counts
points and the bird is placed on a barrel
and carefully scrutinized on this point.
The Judge then examines the neck,
breast, body and fun, wings tail. legs
and toes. These are judged for color
and shape. When he has finished his
cler, adds ND the marks of defects and
subtracts them from 100
The poultry show will continue until
tomorrow night at II o'clock. Mr.. Brown
expects to finish his work Of judging to-
night and tomorrow promises TO be
very interesting day as all the ribbons
will be hung. showing which chickens
have won the prizes
There are some beautiful specimens OF
Brahmas, Buff Cochins, white and silver
laced Wyandottes and Minorcas on exhibit
ton. many of them expecting first prize
Beautiful Ensley Cock.
One of the prettiest coops on exhibition
is that of e. II. Galushia of Ensley
They are Bantams and some pretty va
rieties are on exhibition here. won first
prize over all birds at the st. Louis
worlds fair.
Mrs Florence Forbes, manager of tho
Forbes poultry yards at Decatur, also
has a beautiful brown Leghorn cockrel
which she expects to get first prize. This
bird is a brother Of the coclkerel that won
first prize at st. Louis.
Many of the birds on exhibition are for
sale and some Of them are offered at fan
cy prices. One coop Of three fowls,
cockreL a pullet and hen. Is valued al
500.
Most of the exhibitors own poultry
Yards in and around Birmingham, and
Jefferson county expects TO get most OF
the prizes.
The Winners
Having finished his work o. judging the
barred plymouth rocks, Mr.. Brown an
nounced the following winners last night:
PAIRED Plymouth Rock Cock-F1rst prize,
e. Adams Montgomery; second prize.
II. McCanerty, Birmingham; third
prize. II. j. McCafferty and A C. Emory
of Birmingham tied.
Barred Plymouth Rock Cockerel-Ffrst
prize J. c. Adams, Montgomery; second
prize, Arile Esdale. Birmingham; third
prize, j. H. Crowell. Parrott, Ga
Barred Plymouth Rock Pullet-First
prize, j. C. Adams Montgomery; second
prize, Arlie Esdale, Birmingham; third
prize, IL. J. McCafferty, Birmingham.
Barred Plymouth Rock Hen-First prize,
II. J. McCanerty, Birmingham; second
prize II. ]. McCanerty. Birmingham;
third prize, Fl. j. McCafferty. Birming-
ham.
The Dogs.
Aside from the poultry exhibits the dog
entries from the Moses kennels at East
Lake is attracting consider able atten-