Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-08-12
FOR GETTING
POULTRY IN SHAPE
What Should Be Done In Rearing Prize
Winners Is Told by Professor of
Oregon Agricultural College.
PROPER WAY TO GIVE FINE
CHICKENS REFRESHING BATH
Also, They Must Be Trained TO Coop
and Handling and Coops Must
Be Right Height.

Boys and girls, would you like to
know how to get your chickens ready
for the school fairs this fall, so that if
they really are the best they will get
the prize' No, you mustn't think that
the best ones will always get the prize.
They must look the best. This is what
Professor Alfred Lunn tells us, and
though but recently boy himself, he is
now very skillful poultryman 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 expected to win a prize no matter
how fine chicken it really is
The first thing to do, Professor Lunn
tells us, is to send to your county school
superintendent or the secretary of the
fair for a premium list. Then you de-.
eide just what prizes you are going to
try for, not too many, and then try for
them hard.
Next you must select the best chick.
ems you have in their class. The ones
that are nearest just fully grown, "just
coming Of age, you know" are likely
to be the best. They must be healthy,
plump and in good flesh and their legs
smooth and free from disease. Those
that are not afraid of you, that stand
up well and move about gracefully, are
to be chosen if they are as good in
other ways.
Now, you are to 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 re.
moved in the third. Take your chickens
one at a time and soak them in the
first tub until their feathers are wet
through. lou may put the head under
for just moment even if they do
squim. Then place them on bench or
table and go over with good soap,
it well down into their feath.
ers. Then wash them in the second tub,
brushing gently in the direction. the
feathers go. Then rinse them in the
third tub. Gently lift the feathers with
the hand and stroke them until they
are about tdry. Last of all place them
in warm room until they are entirely
dry.
Now you are to train them to coop
and to handling, and thave chance to
show just how skillful you are. Get
coop for each "rooster" and one for
every two or three pullets or hens. The
coops are to be little taller than the
bird when it stretches itself, so that
it can 7 bruise its comb on the top.
For a very tall bird thirty inches is
right, but for your tiniest bantams 19
inches is enough. Put three or four
inches of dry, clean chaff in the bot
tom Of each coop
You have three days to train them
in, and this is the best fun of ALL
Take them up gently, speak kindly to
them and stroke their feathers softly
with your hands until they like it and
lift their heads in approval. You see
the Judge may wish to take them up,
and If they pose well, then it is a big
point in their bacor. While training
feed them grain in the coop and place
water just outside where they can reach
it.
Now comes the day for 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
vegetables or apples in the coop, which
will take the place of water very well.
If you have really good chickens and
follow the above simple directions YOU
will be sure to make very creditable
whether you take a prize or
not.