Evening star., 1914-11-22
= POULTRY I! 4
Getting Ready for the Shows.

Getting Ready for the Shows.
1t is not too early in the season to
begin preparations for the poultry shows
of the winter All of the preliminary
work that is done now will mean that
much less to do later, when there is less
time and when haste is likely to result
in sighting the work.
Few small exhibitors know much about
fitting birds for exhibition. and few
realize just how much depends on the
condition of the fowls--weight. condition
of pIumage, color and texture Of comb.
wattles and gills, etc.-if they are to
stand q chance when the judges are
handling them. Many a superior bird
has been disqualified and has lost the
coveted honors to a bird considerably
inferior simply because Of this igno-
rance on the part of the exhibitor.
Last springs birds should be well
enough advanced at this time OF year
to make the matter of selecting fine
specimens comparatively easy. Breed :
their choice birds will do well to select
the best of their f1ocks and provide
separate quarters for them, in which
they may be kept until time to send
them to the shows.
Provide In such houses as are set
apart for the exhibition birds plenty
of clean. deep litter. II straw Is placed
on the floor of the house to the depth
of foot 1t will not be too much.
The extra deep litter will serve two
purposes-it will give the fowls plenty
of chance for exercise. scratching for
grain. and at the same time will help
materially in keeping them clean.
Dust Bath for Fowls.
Dust bins should, of course. be pro-
vided for the exhibition birds, as well
as for those that are not intended for
showing. but care should be taken
to see that the dust is clean and alb
solutely dry. II it is possible to pro-
vide clean. dry. fine sand for the fowls
dust bath. SO much the better; this will
give the birds the chance they crave
to dust and work the sand into their
feathers. and at the same time will
not stain or discolor the plumage.
AS soon as the birds for exhibition
have been selected, begin to gentle"
them. This process of breaking
cockerel or pullet may require only
weeks: it depends largely on the in
dividual bird. Some appear to become
tame with only a few days handling.
while others persist in struggling and
going into a panic for a much longer
time
Pick the bird up, stroke it down the
neck and back, rub between the wat
ties. and smooth the plumage that may
have become ruff1ed in handling. Some
times 1t Is a good idea to carry the
bird around for a while under your
arm Persist in this until the bird has
become tame enough to permit itself
to be picked up and handled without
making any struggle whatever
Accustom the birds to exhibition
coops by placing them in such coops
every day to handle them and examine
them closely. By persistence in this
course of "gentling" the birds, by the
time they are to be shown. will have
become thoroughly used to being
and will make no fuss when
taken out of their coops by the Judges
This always counts. mentally, with the
men who award the ribbons.
How to Feed Birds.
Feed the birds intended for ex-
hibition about as the laying flock is
fed, although a little more corn may
be added to the ration. to induce the
taking on of additional weight. full
ration Of cut green bone or Of beef
scrap. with plenty of fresh green stun
cabbage. carrots. green rye, sprouted
oats, etc-wiu increase the vigor and
general condition Of the birds, and
will keep their eyes bright, their
piumage in good condition.
Do not allow them to run at large.
II is better to keep them confined to
the house In which they are placed to
be htted: Deep straw litter on the
hA
grain ration is thrown. will give them
plenty OF exercise. The house, of
should be thoroughly ventilated,
and at the same time protected against
driving rains or storms of any kind,
and II the arrangement is such that
sunshine can enter the house on ali
nrisht days, so much the better
disease cannot gain a foothold I'm
wen ventilated. well lighted, dry house.
1t Is a good idea to keep a small bot
tie OF sweet Oil IN the house in which
the exhibition fowls are kept Once in
a while-say once a week-pick un
each FOWL and go over its legs, down to
the ends of the toes, with a clean rag
on which is a little Of the sweet oil.
This will keep the legs and feet clean
and of good color. and will make it
at the proper time, to wash
every particle of dirt from beneath the
scales of legs and toes. A touch Of
the oiled rag on the birds beak won't
hurt.
Birds Will Clean Selves.
Nowadays a great many judges give
other things being equal.
to fowls that have not been washed,
but which are perfectly clean. The
birds will keep themselves clean. If
they have chance. and a naturally
clean bird is certainly handsomer than
one that has had to have a soapsuds
bath before 1t was fit to go into the
show. OF course. If your birds are so bad
show them without washing, they must
have their bath. Try to fit them without
this. however, il it is possible; you
will thereby stand better with many
of the judges, and you will save your
self a nasty. tedious job and save the
fowls the chance of developing colds
that may result in something more
serious.
The day before the birds are to be
sent to the show wash their feet and
legs, down to the ends of the toes, in
lukewarm suds. using q stiff brush--a
toothbrush is f1ne--in order to get
edges of the scales. If necessary, use Il
toothpick to remove the dirt. Scour
until the legs of the fowls are abso
might say surgically-
clean. Then dry them carefully and go
over them with a rag and sweet oil
Be careful in washing and in oiling to
keep the feathers dry and clean.
Wash the combs. wattles and gills
carefully. taking pains to see that no
suds gets on the feathers of the head
and neck. Dry. and then give comb