I I/O RiRAL School Leaflet 



poultry shows by washing them in warm w^ater, using plenty of ivory 

 soap. Take the feet in one hand, and gently hold the body under the 

 water. Be careful not to get water or soap in the bird's eyes. Squeeze 

 or sponge the dirt from the feathers, but do not rub them. When the 

 dirt is off, rinse the bird in lukewarm water until all the soap is out of the 

 feathers. Scrub the feet clean. Dry the birds in a hot room or in a clean 

 coop before a hot fire. If it is impossible to wash them in this way, it would 

 be a good plan to sponge off some of the dirt from the surface of the 

 feathers, using a small amount of gasolene in the sponge. Do not handle 

 gasolene near a fire. The comb, wattles, beak, and feet should be washed 

 with soap and warm water. 



A good exhibition coop for a pair of fowls may be made at home, and 

 should be about two feet square and two feet high, having a slatted front 

 with two of the slats removable so that the judge can take the birds out 

 if necessary. Grain and plenty of water should be provided during the 

 exhibition. Tin cups may be used, and they should be fastened on the 

 outside of the coop within reach of the birds. Plenty of clean shavings 

 or fine straw should be sprinkled on the floor of the coop. 



The principal things to consider in selecting birds for exhibition are 

 size, shape, condition, and color. The parts to consider separately under 

 shape and color are comb, head, beak, eye, ear lobes, neck, wings, back, 

 breast, tail, body and fluff, legs, and toes. Under condition, the points 

 to consider are cleanliness and health. The birds may be judged by the 

 American Standard of Perfection. This type of judging will help the boys 

 and girls to know good poultry at sight. (See editors' note.) 



Editors' note. — The article on exhibiting poultr\' is published because 

 many schools are holding poultr}^ shows, and, at almost all school fairs, 

 there is poultry exhibited by boys and girls. Ver\^ often the birds are 

 not properly selected nor well cared for, and the suggestions made by 

 Mr. Krum as to the number of birds to exhibit, the size and the arrange- 

 ment of the coop, and the care of the birds while confined, should be 

 helpful. 



Poultry judging involves a wide knowledge because each of the varieties 

 has individual points. The best way to help the boys and girls to the 

 knowledge of how to select their birds for exhibition is to have some poultry 

 man give them lessons illustrating the points of some particular variety. 

 A number of such lessons covering the chief types and breeds would be 

 valuable and would give the children ability to determine between good 

 and poor birds. The American Standard of Perfection is a book issued 

 by the American Poultry Association, and is the basis for all jtidging at 

 poultry shows. 



