PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 373 



the cage and handling it, has over one that gets all out of 

 shape the moment the judge touches it, is obvious. While 

 continuous cooping of any fowl is a crime against good condi- 

 tion and even against good sense, a half-hour a day or so is 

 necessary for all candidates for show honors. The bird may 

 be tamed quickly while cooped by offering tid-bits such as 

 meat and kernels of whole corn from the hand. By stroking 

 with the hand, the bird can be taught the correct pose for the 

 show coop. 



Washing the White Fowls. In these days of strong com- 

 petition, an unwashed white bird is practically debarred from 

 winning. An unwashed bird, be it ever so white, looks very 

 cheap beside a well-washed one of much inferior color. This 

 is a branch of the industry in which a certain few have become 

 so proficient that it is practically impossible for anyone not 

 expert in this line to defeat them. There are many soaps 

 and preparations used for washing white fowls, but Ivory 

 soap and soap-bark are the most generally used. The best 

 washers thoroughly lather the birds to the skin, and use two 

 rinse waters. The last water contains a very little blueing. 

 This will show in the feathers if too much is used and be- 

 ginners are almost sure to use too much. If not thoroughly 

 rinsed, so that all the soapy water is removed, the feathers 

 will curl and crinkle. 



In late years much is hinted at concerning the use of 

 bleaching agents that bleach a creamy or yellow bird, other- 

 wise fine, so that it becomes a winner. No doubt, hydrogen 

 peroxide, the active agent of which is a free atom of oxygen, 

 is used to a certain extent. So is ammonia and other cleaning 

 agents. Their value lies more in their power to remove stains 

 and dirt than in any real bleaching process that takes place. 



The process of drying is very important and is in itself an 

 art. The most effective method of whitening a bird is to 

 repeat the washings. Persistency in this counts as in every- 

 thing else. 



The best treatment for the comb, face and wattles of a 

 perfectly healthy bird is to wash in soap and water, dry and 

 let alone. When the face does not show good color, massage 

 and treat with a very small amount of vaseline. To keep the 

 color in the face, repeat the massage with a small bit of vase- 

 line. This treatment is simple and will bring more color than 

 would be supposed. There are many lotions and drawing, 

 burning liquids that are applied, but they are all at best but 



