PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 227 



The enthusiastic amateur should avoid over-doing 

 things. Coddling the fowls is quite certain to cause 

 softening or weakening of the constitution. Confinement 

 of the cockerels in quarters excessively warm is likely 

 to induce rapid growth of their combs. In case of single 

 combs which should stand erect there is lopping or fall- 

 ing over. Too much meat in the rations may have a 

 like effect. 



Pullets of the Mediterranean class, such as the Leg- 

 horns, whose combs are expected to become as large as 

 those of cockerels and to fold over the top of the head, 

 may need some meat to stimulate comb growth but too 

 much animal food will tend to cause early production 

 of eggs. If permitted to lay there will be halting of 

 body growth, reduction of weight and lessening of the 

 glossiness of the plumage. 



A pullet just ready to lay is in the pink of condition 

 for exhibiting. If she attains this condition before the 

 poultry show occurs, egg production may usually oe 

 postponed by removing her to new quarters, which, if 

 necessary, may be made cooler and darker than her 

 previous shelter. 



Weighing of the birds at regular intervals for several 

 weeks 'before show-time will give a very exact knowledge 

 of their condition, their increase in size and approach 

 to standard weight, in the case of breeds having a stand- 

 ard weight requirement. 



FITTING FOWL FOB THE SHOW. 



During the two weeks preceding exhibition the birds 

 should be trained and fitted for showing. 



A comfortable properly ventilated pen or room 

 should be provided where the fowls can at any time be 

 easily caught and yet not be crowded. A layer of fine 

 clean, dry sand is placed on the floor and over this a 

 foot depth of bright, clean straw is strewn. 



Males and females are kept in separate pens and 

 only fowls well acquainted with each other are put to- 



