PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 377 



ing process, shrivel up and finally presents an unsatisfactory 

 appearance. So it is always well to select, train and wash a 

 few more birds than you actually intend to show. This pre- 

 caution will save you disappointment, should anything go 

 wrong with any of the birds up to the moment that judging 

 actually begins. 



One of the objections to washing birds for exhibition is 

 that the same birds can seldom be shown more than twice 

 during a single season ; and sometimes but once, if you want 

 to get the very best results. The reason for this is that wash- 

 ing and drying takes a good deal of the natural oil out of the 

 feathers, which causes them to become brittle and they will 

 begin to break up, and eventually to lose the natural sheen on 

 the feathers which makes them look so attractive. However, 

 any bird that is to be used for breeding should not be shown 

 more than once; because, in conditioning, washing, and show- 

 ing the bird, getting him home and rested, etc., and ready to go 

 into the breeding pen, will occupy three weeks or a month. 

 During this time the bird has been inside in a warm tempera- 

 ture, and it is something of a shock to his system to go back in- 

 to a breeding pen in what may possibly be zero weather. Still 

 a strong, vital bird will generally stand this for one trip ; but, 

 when you keep repeating this for show after show, the bird 

 becomes softened and loses his natural resistance to cold, with 

 the result that he contracts a cold or in some way gets out of 

 condition. So, for this more vital reason, birds that are valu- 

 able as breeders really should be shown but once in a season. 

 It is hard and cruel to keep a bird on the jump from one show 

 to another from August until late in February. This practice 

 is generally the result of greed or ignorance. However, such 

 a practice brings its own penalty ; because, after such treat- 

 ment, your fine bird will not breed you the sound, vigorous 

 stock that he otherwise would. 



To Remove Stains. If you should find a grease spot on 

 one of your birds that did not come out in the wash, you can 

 remove it by using gasoline ; but you must exercise great care 

 in doing this. Take the bird into the open air, and do not use 

 more than is necessary. It is possible that you might just pick 

 some birds off inside. 



Feeding. After the birds are dry, feed nothing but hard 

 corn until after they are judged. Be sure that you have suit- 

 able shipping coops. 



