The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-05-24

hour but while in the coops pet and
poke them until they get over any
fright and will pick at you rather than
run. Do not continue At them too long
at time, but make your visits often.
With games, some breeders get this
work down to science, having them
trained rather than simply accustomed.
With them of course it is point to get
them to reach as high as possible and
by continually poking their heads up
in the air they soon get the idea what
is wanted of them and get so they take
that position as soon as any one pokes
at them the least bit. So too, with
other breeds this is very good idea
for any bird appears much more grace
full in an upright position. To this
point alone can much of the success of
a game breeder be attributed, and it is
certainly great help to breeder of
other breeds. The females too, should
be kept as tame as possible, but it is
not necessary to take the pains with
them that you do with the males, I'M
less it be games. TO improve the SYM
metry of the males, they should be
given two or three hens to run with
every two or three days and it is sur
prising what change it will work.
Feeding is another important item in
getting fowls in condition to show.
Generally speaking, it is good idea to
get the birds fat for they look so much
plumpsr and smoother, and it is also
good plan to have them pound or SO
ever weight so after they shrink from
shipment they do not have to be cut on
weight. OF course there are exceptions
to the above rule for it would be absurd
with bantams and would not be advisa-
BILE with breeds where there is no
weight clause. If one is really in need
of weight and that is his sole object in
view, there is nothing that surpasses
corn meal and bran mixed together
and whole corn, This can DO given to
all breeds except the whites and on
these it is not always beneficial, as the
ysllowness of corn and meal will often
give a ysllowness to the plumage that
is always Objectionable. To these, the
corn meal should be substituted by
sound cooked potatoes and hominy
meal, and wheat and buckwheat given
instead of the corn. There are many
other side dishes that may be given to
advantage, among them sunfower seed
which make the coat glossy. Ground
green bone in large quantities should
be given for it both helps feather for
nation and is fattening. Green food
and grit must also not be forgotten.
For drink, nothing sxcels sweet milk,
although sour and loppered milk are
very beneficial. Give the birds lots OF
bedding and change it often. Don't
think that because you are going to
wash them you can let them get in any
condition, for sftentimes they will get
stained so badly that it will be impossi-
BILE to get it entirely out in the wash.
"When the legs, comb, wattles, etc.,
appear to the best advantage it makes
vast difference in the looks OF the
bird, and this part should receive at
tsntion. One mistake which is often
made is the use Of too powerful appli-
cants before the show and by the time
YOU want the birds to look their best
the color in the comb and face is all
lost. The scheme which works to the
best advantage with US is to simply
keep the parts perfectly clean until the
show and then bring out the color. To
do this, wash the legs, comb and wat
ties with white CASTLE soap and water
once a week, after which anoint with
oil of pennyroyal. The latter cuts the
dirt that the soap and water will not
touch. This covers the ground pretty
thoroughly until it comes to the wash
continued on page FOUR