The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-09-04
PREPARATION OF FOWLS
FOR EXHIBITION
lBy j. Harry woIslefferl

CBy j. Harry Wolsieffer)
The great majority OF poultry rails
,rs in this country raise poultry ana
maintain them only for the eggs they
produce and the meat they furnish. To
hem the beautiful In hendom does not
appeal--they care little whether the
eve OF fowl is bay or black, or the ear
Iobe red or white. To them chicken
ia a chicken, and all that Is asked OF IL
is to produce eggs and meat Tor the
table.
But each year. throughout the coun-
try, one finds an increasing class OF
poultry raisers who, while raising
poultry for its products. have an eye
for the best and the beautiful in the
hen, and with sporting blood In their
veins they enjoy going to the poultry
exhibits, and in the end exhibit some
fowls of their own. This class OF
poultry keeping-the work of hatchlng'
rearing. the production of hen fruit
and. last but not least, they enjoy the
reward of careful breeding and good
care Of their poultry by exhibiting and
winning at the nearby fall fairs OF
winter exhibits,
Plenty Of Exhibits.
one does not have to go far TO ma
an exhibit in which he can enter MS
fowls for competition and prizes. over
twelve hundred were held in the Unit
ed States last year, the majority OF the
associations being members OF the
American Poultry Association, which
has membership Of more than SIX
thousand. The beginner, in spite OF
what he may have read or heard about
| exhibits and judges. can rest assured
that In the great majority Of cases ne
| will find an honest association, ONO
cred by high grade men and judged by
men Of high standing, honesty ana
ability, and in every well-regulated ex-
hibit will stand as much chance to
| win the coveted blue or special prize
as the breeder OF national reputation
nroviding the beginners fowls have
the same merit.
MANY of those entering fowls in
connection for the first time are dis
couraged IL their fowls do not receive
one of the five awards generally giver
to the best FIVE in each CLASSROOM
cockerel. pullet, hen and pen.
Beainner Should Be Patient.
II is not to be expected that the pc
> ginner can raise and condition nj
, fowls at the first attempt as well a.
the more experienced breeder, an
+ then, though he may have gone care
2 fully over the, standard of perfection
! the exhibitors and judges guide. onl
experience in the showroom VIII en-
. able him TO At his fowls for keen com
: netition. 1t is here that the poultr
! show gets in its work of education an
many a fancier now at the top OF tn
: ladder OF poultry fame has gleane
n his first real knowledge of how to eS
: hibit at the fall fairs and later u
4 regular fall and winter exhibits
! Enter the best fowls at one OF thes
Is fairs. and II possible be there yourse
" during Judging or the next day. loo
q carefully over the awards, study u
n arst prize winners in your class, al
d. then in quiet manner seek the JUICE
sc and ask him any question regaruii
lie voir fowls. Do not ask him why th'
'e did not win. for II they had been of u
= right uuality they would have be-
lie among the winners, but in the prop
I'd manner seek all the information po
is sible and in the majority OF cases q
I'd man Who placed the awards will gi
Won invaluable information. The mi
takes made at the first or second shc
win be rectified and the fowls shoV
an nv the beginner will stand a bett
10 chance.
is. The preparation for the poultry she
OF really begins with the Matching OF I
ed chick in the incubator or under I
L. hen. for no matter what price one h
n Maid for eggs or chicks, one cam
ohtain good shape or fine feather
ed fowls that have been poorly rear
40, The very best eggs of chicks may
IS; sult only in culls, as is often the CO
81 when they have been improperly ra
: ed. Chicks, to develop INTO prize
nars must be raised right, and Z
means a steady but not forced oev
&C. opment from shell to maturity,
u the fall fairs, all other things cons
cred. the early matched chick ~
ors ruary or March, has the best chahce
of win out 1t is nearer the stahu'
weight then, and has the shape OF
err breed, although later-hatched 10
.S5 are often among the winners.
-. Shape First Consideration.
ne, shape is the first consideration !
ich an exhibitor should consider, and II
Ms one that is going to play more oil
important part in the future thar
CHI has in the past. All fowls are, a
OTIS. rule. benefited by washing Bel
D. entering any exhibit. many exhipi'
OILS Of parti- colored fowls, such as Bai
plymouth Rocks, or Buff orpingt
her do not wash their fowls, but In ain
i. ali cases where the washing Is 81
fully done, an Improvement In fea'
els. is accomplished. Parti-colored 10
need to be washed II in good plum
IN but the legs can be frightened up
,ro- the feathers smoothed with a
lied cloth. In white fowls, 1t is seldom
and one can win without resorting to
ASe washtub, and only experience VIII
L able the beginner to wash ms &c
properly In the succeeding waen
in preparation OF his birds Tor
show. better results viii be obtai
,v,s 10 chemicals are required-oniy .
lee 7. rclean soft water, three tubs, plent
in. soap In the first tub, good, stin pi
with which to rub the feathers &c
and good place to allow the low