SPANISH. 1 99 



others. They feather very slowly, and should not be 

 hatched early in the year. The cocks are less vigorous than 

 most other breeds, and it is better not to allow more than 

 three hens till genial weather has set in. As the chickens 

 grow, any showing blush should be cleared out to make 

 room ; the blue faces promising best as a rule. As they 

 develop, scabs or eruptions are very apt to appear with the 

 least over-feeding, and meat is also apt to cause pecking at 

 one another. A portion of bread and milk, with an oc- 

 casional ten grains of Epsom salts, and grass run, seems to 

 suit them best, but they should be kept in on wet days. 

 Birds drawing near to exhibition should have the faces 

 gently sponged with tepid milk and water, and after gently 

 drying, be sparingly dusted over with oxide of zinc to keep 

 the skin dry ; but no white must be left on for the show- 

 pen. Chickens which grow any coloured feathers must be 

 at once discarded ; a few white feathers often appear, to 

 moult out afterwards. 



The very large comb is apt to fall over with the present 

 delicate stock. Something may be done to check this as the 

 critical age approaches, by sponging with any strong 

 astringent, or applying hazeline cream ; but some breeders 

 fix on the head a light wire frame, to hold the comb in 

 place. Hens for breeding should be chosen with combs 

 thick at the base, and springing up a little before falling 

 over ; stock thus bred will rarely require help if healthily 

 reared. 



Spanish left at liberty, even of good quality, will some- 

 times become rather rough and blushed in face if exposed 

 to cold winds. In such cases, shelter by high walls, and 

 shutting up for the last few days in a dimly-lighted room or 

 shed, will generally put matters right. This course is, 

 indeed, generally required to exhibit Spanish faces in fine 

 condition, but has been much overdone ; and such excess of 



