The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-26
Must BE Selected Long Before
Time for Exhibition and
Specially Fed.
PLUMAGE OF IMPORTANCE
White Fowls Should Keep Out
Of Sun and sleep in
Trees.


who are primarily Interested In the pro-
duction OF specimens which NEE; certain
definite exhibition requirements as TO
form. color and markings. The utility
| breeders. who care but little for show
points. but demand that their birds shall
lay heavily or dress Of beautifully as
table poultry. We might also include
small third class, those men or faith ana
vision who believe that through careful,
painstaking work they can In certain
breeds combine show excellence ani un-
usual business qualities In their nocks.
The following remarks have TO do with
| the fanciers. the breeders Of show stock,
who subordinate everything else to secur-
ing perfection OF exhibition charactcris-
tics This class may he well divided into
two groups, according 80 their aims. The
first includes those who breed and show
fine fowls as pas;imc, hobby. ana
those who follow the work as business
and are most interested In the financial
returns
But whatever their object all fanciers
are interested in winning the prizes In
open competition. and under existing con-
diions this cannot he accomplished with
! out thorough understanding OF show
room requirements, a knowledge OF the
finer points Of show specimens and the
careful grooming and training OF the
show string.
The truth Of this statement Is demon
| whore professional exhibitors bring In
great strings Of birds and clean up
! large proportion NJ the prize money.
| These men--"hucksters." as the bona fde
breeders call them-know all the tricks
Of the trade. and though many Of their
| specimens are no better, or are perhaps
| inferior % those shown by local poul-
! trymen. they win regularly because they
| apply their technical knowledge OF the
game.
II IL apparent then that the ambitious
amateur exhibitor should early select his
promising specimens and give them thu
best advantages, to the end that they
may do him credit when the Judge passes
upon them. II is useless to expect much
OF birds which are merely pick i up the
day before the show and exhibited just as
they grew up.
In about a month the fall fair season
opens. The poultry department of these
great agricultural eNpositons offers the
beginner the best opportunity 10 make a
start as an exhibitor and many Of our
leaders in the poultry fancy have gained
their first experience in this way
| The fanclcr whether sportsman or
"A professional must exhibit his birds
Claims for superiority must he based
upon Performance. The buying public
Is getting wise and demands records of
performance, both OF fancy and utility
built OF course the amateur who rs
Interested IN the sporting SIDE OF thu
proposition wants to win for personal
satisfaction and to secure possession OF
the various ribbons and trophies which
testify to his sk.ll.
| 1t IL none too early to 80 over tht
flock and ret a linz on the best spcc-
mems As a basis OF selection one must
have thorough knowledge o. the points
az the hraaI banded This
IS best secured by a ear ful study OF
the American standard OF Perfection,
which muutcly describes .de1l shape and
color and lists the .squalihcatons which
throw the faulty specimen out Of com
pettion as Il ing unworthy of any con
slderatlon The book is published by the
American Poultry Association and may
} be secured from any poultry supply
house or bookseller. 1t is the fnal word
on exhibition poultry and is the standard
under which the judge works.
, Where possible. the help OF some veteran
in the game should be secured. mar
, of this kind can quickly point out tn,
good chickens and give much nforma
ton which may be used TO advantage.
The flock should first be sorted witt
= reference to disqualifying points. discard
ing any individuals which possess sucl
faults. OF course, certain of the mlnol
p disqualhcati, ms, as down on the toes anC
| Foreign tulbltu lAtkUfIN IN Alt llhlllht
y may be removed WI thcr or not sucl
c practices are entirely honorable is poin
7 which each breeder must settle with hi'
g own conscience However, II is common
knowlt dge that the majority OF expert
E enced exhibitors fix up birds IN TINS way.
Such serious defects rs twisted bills
, or toes crooked backs and breasts arr
not possible OF correction.
When choosing youn6 stock Tor RAJ
= showing pay particular attention to I'M
;. size and devt lopment OF the specimen
r The weight clauses Of ~" standard arr
$ not Usually strictly enforced NJ the talrs
. hut other things being equal, the hr'
h which is well up to the required STANDARD
:, weigh, receives the most consideration
u II is possible 20 induce growing chick
! IN make rapid increase In weight u,
r spccinI feeding, and this plan may b
II resortcd 20 IN order 10 bring along sma'
J. chicks which possess unusual promise
n Finely chopped cooked meat ana noh'
=. skim milk, moist mash containing larE
, nropor,ion of ground oats-all give GOO
., results Some fanciers go SO TAR as 4
u yiyo their choice chicks an extra mea
) late Mt night, by the light y tho lamp "
;; lantern A certain prominent poultrymal
10 OF New England adds sugar 10 the sot
Is feed contendinE that this substance
a rat,enlng and also induces the stock Z
! ont more than would otherwise be con
W sumed ...,...,..,,.,
include two or three times as many bird
as will be entered IN IN" show TIL
n gives opportunity for closer selection whc
IS the date approaches. Some proms.n
If individuals will go wrong during ,h' mex
~ few wee ks. others Of apparently infcrio
IL quality may blossom into top notch spec
le mems Then there is always the posi-
,e billy Of disease and death taking thei
re- toll
~ These exceptional specimens should b
y removed from the general flock and give
" the best the plant affords. Where pos
w slble they should be divided into sma
sroups, the males separated from III
= females Wide range Is desirable but
IN this IL not available roomy yards wi
Of DO. especially II located on good sod c
n. rher growing green stun,
l. The houses should be clean, cool an
lv well ventilated. Better 10 send the foe
"a 20 roost in tho apple trees than fore
- II into hot crowded. dirty buildings. !
> fact. birds which spend their nights, IN
and rainy. perched In some big tree wit
10 thick foliage often develop the finest {
VI plumage. This plan Is adopted oftent
30 than the public would believe,
hit Plenty OF thick shade liz also essentia
ID Exposure to the blazing sun is by man
considered hurtful TO color. especially (