The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-30
JUDGING POULTRY
DEMANDS FINE EYE
EVERY GOOD POINT OR DEFEcr
HAS STATED VALUE.
Judge Carries in His Mind s Eye the
Perfect Ideal and He Is Able to Tell
Just How Far Any Particular Speci-
men Falls Short Of That 1deal-what
Points Count.

works, with greater care or according
to more Well-defned rules and regula-
tions than does the judge who passes
on fancy high-bred poultry. The Judge
must carefully study types until he be-
comes accustomed to recognizing beau
ties or defects. He must be able to
carry the perfect ideal in his mind s
eye and be able to tell in what respect
and what degree any given specimen
deviates from that ideal.
As in horses, cattle and other. lines,
poultry. judges generally perfect them
selves in certain classes. There are
fourteen such classes, covering the
many varieties Of chickens, ducks,
geese and turkeys. These classes en-
brace related breeds. The different
varieties of American fowls, Plymouth
Rocks, Wyandottes, Javas, Dominiques,
Rhode Island Reds and Buckeyes, are
in the first class. The second class is the
Asiatics, embracing the Brahmas, Co.
embraces the Mediterranean birds, the
chief branch Of which is the Leghorn
family. The others are divided into
the following classes: English, Polish,
Dutch, French, games and game ban
tams, oriental games and bantams, or
namental bantams and miscellaneous.
lakes IT&1neQ Eye. -
In looking for Projections or defects
many things must be observed and it
takes the trained practced eye to rec
ognize tAem. The perfect bird is the
bird that will score all Of the possible
100 points, but there are few such. A
bird that Is always good for 81 stands
In a fair way to be the winner any
where. Ninety-fve and ninety-six are
exceptional and not one bird in 5000
is able to score SO high if carefully
judged. "A
For the purpose Of showing how care.
full the work is the scale Of points for
the American class is a fair sample Of
the severe inspection which all birds
must undergo In this-elass the cock,
if up to standard weight, must weigh
nine and one-half pounds, the cockerel
eight pounds, the hen seven and one
half pounds and the pullet six and one
half pounds. For each pound off weight
two points are deducted from the pos
sible perfect mark Of six for weight.
The various points and their judging
values are as follows: '.S
Symmetry; 8 points; weight, s; con
co rfn s. Ws sad anal Esi s Gobes =
Shape, 8; color. 4. Back Shape, g.;
color, 6. Breast-Shape, s; color, s.
Body and Fluff--Shape, s color, 3,
Wings-Shape, 4; color, g. Tail-Shape,
A.; color, 5. Legs and Toes---Shape,, 3;
color, g. Total, 100. -,
-. Shaded for Defects. *:..'@
All these perfect marks are shaded
for defects according to an elaborate
scale Of "c,lts for defects.' The judge
must be thoroly. acquainted with this
scale in, order to work rapidly and to
advantage. The possible cuts from
perfection for various defects differ,
points, - s~ -
In working on these tables the judge
generally follows certain little
speaking. the bird is first weighed
Next it is stood on a box before the
judge, who notes each defect and calls
to his scorer to check off SO much fol
each. When the specimen is completed
and returned, the dement's are added
: and taken from the possible score OF
: 100, leaving the birds mark .8.
/ :. Judging has come to be profession
and during the season is most profit
! able. Ehere are few competent Judges
and they have a national reputation
! They are constantly on the move wher
ever. there are exhibitions, travelling al
over the poultry section of the United
States and Canada.