East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-08-06
ADVICE FOR
EXHIBITORS
They Can Exhibit Chickens at the
state Fair This F'all-Rules
Given by Expert.

Boys and girls, would you like to
know how 10 get your chickens ready
for the school fairs this fall so that
If they are really the best they will
get the prize? No, you mustn't think
tnat the best ones Will always get the
prize They must look the best This
is what Professor Alfred Lunn tells
US and though only recently a boy
himself he is now very skillful poul-
tryTnan in the oregon Agricultural
college. And you know yourselves
that If the feathers are dirty and
scraggly, the chicken looks dropping
and discouraged and cannot be ex-
pected to win prize, no matter how
fine a chicken it really is.
The first thing 10 do, Professor
Lunn tells us, is TO send to your coun-
| ty school superintendent or the secre-
tary OF the fair Tor a premium list.
Then you decide just what prizes you
are going TO try for, not too many,
| then try for them hard.
Next you must select the best
chickens you have in their class. The
ones that are nearest just fully grown,
Just coming OF age, you know" are
likely to be the pest. They must be
| healthy, plump, in good flesh anl
their legs smooth and free from dis
case. Those that are not afraid OF
you, that stand up well and move
about gracefully, are to be chosen ii
they are as good in other ways
,, Now you are IL get them ready for
shipping. About four days before
you are to send them to the fair you
are to give them good bath. Get
three tubs or large pans and put
warm water in the first, water little
cooler in the second, and water with
just the chill removed in the third
Take your chickens one at a time and
soak them in the first tub until thei:
feathers are wet through. You maj
put the head under just a moment
even IL they do squirm. Then place
them on bench or table and go ovel
with good soap, rubbing it dowr
well into the feathers. Wash then
in the second tub, brushing gently ir
the direction the feathers go. Ther
rinse them in the third tub. Gently
lift the fethers with the hand anC
stroke them until they are abou
dry.
Now you are to train them to cooI
and to handling and have a chance t
show just how skillful you are. Ge
|. a coop for each rooster" and on,
Tor every two or three pullets or hens
The coops are to be little taller thar
the bird when 1t stretches itself 50
that it cans bruise its comb On tht
fai hird bfrf,, fan 4,
es Is right, but for your tiniest ban.
toms u inches is enough. Put three
or four inches of dry chaff in tbs
bottom of each coop.
You eull have three days to train
them in and this Is the best fun o1
all. Take them gently, speak kind
~ to them and stroke their feathers
softly with your hands until they like
1t and lift their heads in approval
! You see, the Judge may wish to take
them up, and ~ they pose well then
1t is a big point in their favor. While
training, feed them grain in the coop
and place water Just outside where
they can reach It,
Now comes the day for taking them
or sending them to the fair. Put
plenty Of grain in the coop to last
them until they are fed again. but
no water Instead, put some vegeta-
bles or apples in the coop. which will
take the place of water very well.
II you have really good chickens and
follow the above simple directions
you will be sure to make very cred
table showing whether you take a
prize or not.