Show preparation OF FOWLS FOR exhibition N fark I 1 ms S es e z S 1 irv rp s r ay aw 14 aw 1151 ai A rcy v A ka p dick the valuable Ro rooster who for the past three years yeara has haa won first prize at poultry shows held in various cities of the united states every fowl whether young or maturo should be in first class show condition when it enters entera the exhibition hall ball the plumage should be the standard length for the breed lustrous and plentiful the head bright red in color and tho the comb developed to tho the required bequir ed size the specimen should appear in handsome dress good physical condition and trained to exhibit ills hta good qualities to advantage careful training imparts to a bird sufficient confidence to assume and hold desired poses under showroom show room loom conditions if possible obtain exhibition coops similar 0 to o those the show you will attend trover cover the floor with 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 cart car ry them around under the armi arm open their wings and examine the and accustom them to every movement of the judge it 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 outdoor exercise if seasonable all white fowls must bo be washed and most fowls of other colors can be improved in appearance by washing flut fing and grooming before the show for white birds have three tubs filled with 1 warm soft or rain water 2 warm soft or rain water 3 warm soft or rain water dolored colored the proper shade to rinse the blue white goods use a bar of good white or castile soap and a large sponge and a nail brush have the temperature of the room 80 degrees 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 the nail bush soap and water insert tho the bird in tub 1 and push it down under the water several times until the plumage Is wet vet through make a heavy lather with the sponge bjonge and soap and thoroughly wash the plumage with the sponge open the wings and sponge them in the direction of the feathers in fact always wash the length of the and not across it keep the birds head out of 0 the soapy water it possible sponge the soap off the bird and remove to tub 2 press it un der the water several times allow it to stand and drip for a few seconds and then dip it twice in tub 0 3 containing the bluing water remove the bird from the water hold it its 13 logo legs firmly and raise it up and down quickly so BO that it will flap and expand tta its wings and tall and shake out the water do not nol uso use a towel to dry a white bird nio move the oah exhibition ib 1 coop hear ear the tire or some beat so BO that the bird will dry lifting up the plumage ot 0 the breast and opening the feathers of the fluff while drying has a tendency to increase the apparent size of these sections the shanks and feet of exhibition fowls must be absolutely clean and well polished to overcome rough scales rub the legs twice dally daily with a cloth dipped in kerosene and a short time before the show wash them thoroughly use a good scouring soap woolen cloth and warm rainwater remove any old or rough scales and also the dirt between the scales the latter laiter can be taken out with toothpicks dry the shanks and apply a solution of equal parts of sweet oil and alcohol then warm a woolen sloth and scrape a little beeswax on it the warmth will melt the wax and the shanks should then be pill shed with the waxed cloth |