Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1915-12-31
FOWLS FOR EXHIBITION
w. l.. JONES.

Every FOWL, Wnetner young or ma
ture, should be in first class show
condition when it enters the exhibit
ton hall. The plumage should be
the standard length for the breed,
lustrous and plentiful, the head
bright red in color. and the comb
developed to the required size. The
specimen should appear In hand
some dress. good physical condition,
and trained to exhibit his good
points. Careful training lmparts
to bird sufficient confidence
to assume and hold desired poses
under showroom conditions.
II possible. obtain exhibition coops
similar to those used at the show
you will attend. Cover the floor
with short straw or a mixture of
bran and straw for feathered-leg
breeds. Two months before the
show place the birds you intend to
exhibit in the cOops at night Visit
the coops as frequently as you can
and handle the birds often. Garry
them around under the arm, open
their wings and examine the under
color, and accustom them to every
movement of the Judge. 1t is not
advisable or necessary to keep the
show birds confined in the training
coops. A day at a time is sufficient.
Then allow them the run of the
house for two or three days and out
door exercise If seasonable.
1t is necessary to examine show
birds carefully at least 10 weeks be-
fore the show. Remove all imper-
feet feathers. In the hope that they
will be replaced by feathers Of stand
ard color. Frequently a colored
feather showing a little white along
the edge of the web will mott out
perfectly when the fowl Is we'll fed
on sour-milk mash, meat, and grain.
Never pluck a new feather-one in
which the quill is filled with fluid
as it will invariably return partial
ly white. A few days before the ex-
hibition examine your birds again
and pluck the imperfect feathers. 1t
Is quite problem to determine the
best procedure when there is foreign
color in some of the large feathers
on the wings or tail. IL the color is
cause for disqualification, there is
no justification for shipping the bird
TO the show. What is best to do will
depend upon the quality of the speci-
men In other sections and upon the
amount of defective color In the
wings. Usually these defects occur
In similar feathers In both wings.
All white fowls must be washed,
and most fowls of other colors can
| be improved in appearance by wash
ing, fluffing and grooming before
the show. For white birds have
three tubs filled with ID warm.
soft or rain water; (2) warm, soft
or rain water; go warm, soft or
rain water colored the proper shade
to rinse and blue white goods. Use
a bar of good white or CASTLE soap
and large sponge and a nail brush.
Have the temperature of the room
80 or 85 degrees and bring the birds
In clean exhibition coops, the floors
of which should be covered with
fresh. dry shavings. Wash the males
first. Clean the shanks and feet
with nail brush, soap and water.
Insert the bird in tub (1) and push
1t down under the water several
times until the plumage Is wet
through; make a heavy lather with
the sponge and soap, and through
ly wash the plumage with the
sponge; open the wings and sponge
them In the direction of the feath-
ers. Tin fact. always wash the length
of the feather, from the quill to the
SAp anu hOS oSiOoo w. NSOp NH0
birds head out of the soapy water
II possible; sponge the soap off the
bird, and remove to tub (2). Press
1t under the water several times. al
low 1t to stand and drip for few
seconds, and then dip it twice In tub
90 containing the bluing water. Re-
move the bird from the water. hold