Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-12


forethought. great deal depends
upon the proper preparation OF fowls.
Ribbons usually 60 tn those who
carefully select and fit their birds.
The chief elements Of success are
standard characteristics, health,
cleanliness and striking appearance.
This article describes how to put on
the finishing touches.
II would be waste Of time to feed,
wash and condition birds that are not up
to standard in health, vIgor, and recog-
nized breed qualifications The best the
flock can produce are the only fowls which
should be considered for show purposes.
Let us consider then, some practical
points which exhibitors shonld keep N
mind if they desire to attain success IN
competition
The greatest care should be taken that
the birds chosen are pure bred ENhlbi-
ton judges are no respectors Of persons
Their office is TO pass judgment on iowis
rs they find them They Judge m ar
cordance with certain recognized stand
ards. such as size, weight color, shape,
markings and 50 on Mere appearance IS
not sufficient. IT is most desirable to re-
veal the pedigree, and q trained Judge can
determine this almost at a glance.
If specimen plainly lacks the pr
mary characteristics Of a particular bird,
there would be little hope Of winning the
blue ribbon. no matter how carefully the
candidates had been fed and grOomed.
Blood will tell every time Every ex-
hibitor. therefore. should BE- certain that
hc sends pure bred stock If ne has the
slightest idea of becoming prize winner.
See. also. hat tho birds are in good con
dition Judges consider good condi-
ton To be an amount Of flesh as can be
aarricd consistently with perfect health
end a clean attractive plumage DC
latter IS aided by having a good grass
run for the fowls When 50 kept they
usually look clean and nice. Fowls on
grass range rarely require preparation ex-
cept washing the feet and legs and little
special feeding. described later. Thus.
pure bred fowls IN good condition are the
first factors Of successful exhibition
MATcHfNG AND PENSING BIRDS
The next point is to sec that the birds
are ueH matched With large number
of birds from which to choose there
should be little difficulty IN matching
pen Bad selection i fatal 10 success
Each bird chosen should be of good size
and a. near perfect as possible IN form
color and feather The birds should be
carefully examined and compared with
each other az 10 the color Of their legs
ewes. plumage. combs and general pro-
portions Then let every part be examined
IN detail Sec that the neck-hackle. back
and tar are the same in color and marx
ing then the breast and wings.
l.ct the owner not Judge MS fowis too
severely Few fowls are absolutely per-
feet There are likely u be blemishes IN
birds n competing pens 'flaring detects.
af course should not be passed over. but
= fair general excellence viii often win
against Il pen far superior IN some re-
spects, il bird or two WITH decided
bienlshes i included
The fowls should be matched ana
brought together i, least ten days be-
fore the exhIbiflea This IS for the pIIr-
pose of having the fowls used 20 each
other Neglect ct this precautIon may
cause lighting and consequent INJURY 70
the plaInage 4 result which not lnlre-
tp4entN le>eS a lr>t prize
Poultry faneiers nave different way
OF fitting fowls Tor exhibitions. some
are more successful than Others. There
are however a lew simple and general
rules which these who expect 10 show birds
should know The following observations
on preparation ol fowls for exhibitions
are derived from the experiences Of our
most successful show breeders
WASHING AND FEEDING fHE BIRDS.
\ dav or Two before the exhibits are %
be shipped. birds which have had 4 grass
run need little special attention. Only
their heads and legs may require washing
\ nice well-Iighted room should be chosen
the floor OF which should be thlcklN
..faaf, ne fpI. il
should he placed IN this room aud a few
handfuls of wheat thrown INTO the litter
The birds work III the. straw IN search OF
the grain and thus clean themselves
naturally \ little sulphate Of IRON IN the
drinking water gives the wattles and comb
a bright red color which makes the birds
look well and sprightly.
\ good ration IS oatmeal and cornmcat
boiled together, with pinch of salt.
This mixture is fed regularly for about
two weeks Twice each week the fowls
NAV he gwen some boiled rice This Is
prepared by adding one pint Of water 10 j
pound of rice boiling until the water Is
absorbed Then add as much milk a. the
rice will take up without getting thin,
also a handful Of coarse, brown sugar
Keep stirring the mixture until done.
When cooked put Il IN a dish to cool
FOWLS are Ii1tt(l Dl Ills tittoitf eahNA II
keeps them from purging Plenty Of fresh
green food should be gwen.
The effect OF this feeding IS To keep The
birds in a healthy condition and put
nice gloss on he feathers These are
worthy features FOR show purposes, and the
foregoing method is simple, cheap and
practical
CLEANING ANp GROOMING THE FOWLS.
For white fowls. or those which have
considerable white in their plumage, the
above described cleaning process viii not
suffice Such fowls should be carefully
washed with soap and water a night or
two before shipment. No soda should be
used, as It stains the feathers yellow
The soap should be mild and free from
alkali Directions for cleaning and groom
ing are as follows
Take fine sponge and, having soaped
il well, thoroughly lather and cleanse
each section oi the plumage being care
ful not 10 break any qullls Rinse care
fully IN D tub Of clean Water until the
soap Is removed Finally rub the feathers
as drv MS possible with soft towel Place
the birds in clean, dry pen, well-littered
with straw.
As previously stated. if the fowls have
an extensive grass range, they may nat
need such thorough washing. except
their feet and legs, and possibly their
comb and wattles. The poultryman mus
he the nudge of this matter