204 p O UL TR T- CRAFT. 



nothing which will help them neglected. They are not handled in a 

 specifically different way from other good stock, well cared for. It is 

 only that the breeder uses every means to assure the best development, and 

 does not resort to the narrow balancing of cost and profit which must be 

 followed in rearing lower priced poultry. That one way which is better than 

 others, he follows regardless of trouble ; that food which gives best results, he 

 uses regardless of cost. 



299. Special Selection of Specimens for a Particular Show should 

 be made about two months before that show occurs. The birds on which the 

 breeder has had his eye, looking at them as possible winners, ought then to be 

 separated from the rest, and thoroughly inspected in every section to see just 

 what shape they are in, and what individual treatment each requires to put it 

 in the best possible condition for the show room. 



The novice in exhibiting is apt to rely too much on the general appearance 

 of the fowl. The veteran exhibitor never takes a bird at his face value as he 

 runs in the yard or stands in the coop. As soon as the specimen is in his 

 hands he makes a thorough search for hidden defects and faults only found by 

 close inspection. A bird having bad faults which cannot be remedied, is 

 rejected ; blemishes which can be removed by legitimate means, are corrected. 

 In selecting specimens for the show room, it is looks that count ; looks count 

 for everything. Blemishes which might be passed over in a breeding bird are 

 inadmissible in a show bird. The smallest positive disqualification immediately 

 throws it out of the category of exhibition birds. As disqualifications are 

 distinctly specified in the Standard, there is little excuse for even the greenest 

 exhibitor entering a bird which will be debarred from competition. One has 

 simply to take each bird in hand, and with a list of disqualifications before 

 him, make sure that the specimen is free from each and every one of them. 



The selecting process must proceed still further. Not every bird that is 

 free from disqualifications is capable of winning, even in weak competition. 

 A bird that is very faulty in several sections has little chance of winning. 

 The all around good bird is the exhibitor's reliance. Once in a long time a 

 bird is found fit to go from the yard to the show room (and in that case the 

 exhibitor's effort is directed to preventing injury, and keeping it in good 

 condition) , but in most cases a great deal needs to be done before the bird is 

 ready to show. To show to advantage, birds must be in perfect condition, 

 and must have been so handled that they are not " coop shy," are not disturbed 

 by the inspection of visitors or the handling of the judges, but will pose and 

 show themselves to best advantage. 



300. While Being Prepared for Showing fowls are best kept in 

 small pens, in which they are easily caught and handled. If there is no such 

 provision for them, they may be kept for a few days in exhibition coops, then 

 in the pen with yard, then in the coop again, etc. the object being to have 



