476 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



with the Silver Penciled Wyandotte; laced feathers, as with 

 the Golden Wyandotte; and still other markings, as striped, 

 spangled, edged, etc. The color-markings of some birds are 

 very beautiful. The correct color and form of the feather 

 are of most interest to the fancier; yet the practical poultry- 

 man little interested in this feature has been able to secure 

 his favorite breed through patient breeding, development, 

 and improvement by the so-called fancier. 



Methods of judging. The breeds and varieties of fowls 

 are ordinarily judged by one of two methods, the score card 

 or by comparison. In recent years utility classes have been 

 exhibited at poultry shows, and this fact has introduced 

 another phase of judging where egg production is an import- 

 tant factor. The score-card method of judging has been 

 generally used at poultry shows for many years. Its use, 

 however, is not so common now as formerly. Poultry judges 

 using the score card put down the number of points or frac- 

 tion of a point cut, and adding these, deduct from 100, which 

 gives the total score. In cutting for defects from J/ to 3 

 points are recommended for certain deficiencies, and these 

 are specified in the standard for the benefit of official judges. 

 Judging by comparison is becoming common, and is more 

 satisfactory than by score card, for the reasons already given 

 in Chapter XIII. 



Instructions for judges of poultry include various points. 

 Among these, weight receives considerable attention, and 

 two points are usually deducted for each pound that the fowl 

 falls short of the standard weight. Other things being equal, 

 the one nearest standard weight is awarded the prize. To 

 receive a first prize, a specimen must score 90 or more points, 

 except cocks in parti-colored varieties, which are allowed 88 

 points as a minimum. When young and old birds are in 

 competition, other things being equal, the older ones are to 

 be awarded the prizes. Ties often result in judging: When 

 a tie occurs, if it can not be broken by other rules, then the 



