Grade. 

 Date. . 



EXERCISE 37 

 PREPARING POULTRY FOR EXHIBITION 



Object. — To become familiar, through actual practice, with the opera- 

 tion of washing and conditioning poultry for exhibition. (It is possible in 

 one short laboratory period to cover the more important and practiced 

 methods. A demonstration by a professional conditioner will be a wonder- 

 ful help.) 



Equipment. — Three galvanized wash tubs of good size, ivory soap, liquid 

 bluing, a small scrub brush, vaseline, an electric or hand fan, a warm room 

 for drying, and clean coops in which to dry the birds after washing. 



Procedure. — Step 1. — Select a number of birds to be conditioned, mostly 

 with white plumage and shanks free from feathers. 



Step 2. — Go over each specimen critically to see that it is free from any 

 disqualifications such as side sprig, wry tail, white in face, stubs, etc. If 

 such a defect is present, the bird should not be shown. In the case of down 

 between the toes or on the shank, it is the general practice to remove it, 

 using care not to tear the skin or leave a wound. 



Step 3. — Go over each specimen to be conditioned carefully and remove 

 any solid or broken feathers or any of foreign color in all sections where 

 missing feathers do not disqualify. Also clean the shanks and remove any 

 old or badly discolored scales. 



Step 4. — Wash and rinse each bird thoroughly, and follow exact pro- 

 cedure as discussed on page 479 in Productive Poultry Husbandry. Use 

 special care to scrub shanks and feet, also comb and head parts. Be sure to 

 work suds thoroughly through feathers and to rinse completely. 



Step 5. — Dry each bird individually, allowing it to dry out considerably 

 before placing it in the coop. The wing and tail feathers should be webbed 

 out with aid of a fan before the bird is placed in a coop. The drying coop 

 should be placed in a warm room, free from direct draft. Plenty of clean 

 shavings should be placed on the floor of the drying coop. 



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