The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-14

lean Poultry association that they are
using their influence to correct this
evil.
The experienced exhibitor begins to
condition his birds several weeks be-
fore the date of the show. Adult speci-
mems are "moulted.' l. e.. broken anu
dead feathers are pulled out in order
that fresh ones may take their place.
The weight of each bird is considered
and the ration regulated accordingly.
| with the idea of getting each one to
approximately exact standard weight
at the required time.
| Any imperfections of feet and shanks
as scaly leg, humble foot etc, are also
attended to early in order that there
may be sufficient time to remedy them.
Grooming and Training
| Shortly before the date when ship
ment must be made the final grooming
and training are given. This training
process is intended to make the speci-
men feel at home in the restricted
space of an exhibition coop and accus
toned to handling. An unframed bird
will usually act frightened when
cooped at the show and will struggle
when handled by the judges. This in
jures its chances of winning.
If the exhibitor coops each bird
few hours daily for short time and
teaches it to pose when stroked with
| a Judging stock it Will invariably make
a better impression on the judge who
handles the class. Some men are won
derfully expert In this and teach their
| show birds to assume striking pose
| when anyone steps in front of the
coop.
| The most important part of a white
birds toilet is the washing of the
plumage. The standard demands pure
white plumage. and any trace of dirt
| or sootiness is a big handicap. The
removal of this is best accomplished
| by the liberal use of clean water and
mild soap.
| This washing process is not ex
| tremely difficult to learn. but profile
lency is secured only through practice.
Hence the amateur should begin to
wash white birds-not his show stock
l-several weeks in advance of the date
when the latter must be put through.
Then when the critical time comes few
mistakes will be made.
| Some successful conditioners wash
| their birds but once; others apply the
treatment two or even more times at
intervals of few days.
Washing White Specimens
! The washing should be done in a
room heated to fairly high tempera-
! ture. Three or four roomy tubs and
| a. plentiful supply of clean water are
4
| in tub of water which is at blood
heat, and thoroughly soaped. The idea
| is to completely lather all feathers,
at the same time taking care to avoid
breaking or roughening them. After
| the dirt has practically all been re-
moved the sorry looking individual Is
carefully rinsed in tub of lukewarm
water and again in one of moderately
| cold water to remove every trace of
soap.
| At the last washing before show
| ing it Is customary to do the final
lrinsing in water to which a small
amount of laundry bluing has been
added. This Is supposed to overcame
the yellowish tinge which so fire.
quently mars an otherwise superior
specimen.
] Finally the birds are placed upon a
thick bed of clean straw In the same
room and permitted to dry before being
exposed to lower temperature.
| Shanks and feet are scrubbed with
soap and water to remove every vestige
| of accumulate dirt, and any dirt which
has lodged beneath the scales of the
| leg is removed with a tooth pick. These
parts are then polished with an oiled
cloth.
| Combs face and wattles are finally
massaged to soften them and bring
out their color After this the birds
are kept clean and comfortable until
ready for shipment.
| Much damage may be done and the
effect of this painstaking work nullifed
while the prospective winners are en-
route to the show If proper shipping
coops are not used. Each Individual
should be placed in separate COM
partment or in a single COOP with
deep layer of clean straw on the bot
TOM Where two or more birds arc
shipped together one or all of them
are liable to become more or less soiled
during the trip
These details of preparation are oh
! served by all successful exhibitors. 1t
Is doubtful If any bird no matter how
good, could win in a show where there
Is hot competition If exhibited exactly
as picked up in the poultry yard.
AS stated previously. the details Of
this art. for art it Is. can be learned
only through experience. The beginner