PO UL TR r- CRAFT. 



207 



305. Leg Bands are nearly always needed. A few shows do not allow 

 them. It depends on the systems of cooping and judging used. The show 

 premium list furnishes explicit instructions. If bands are used, they ought to 

 be removed when the birds return. The feet are often badly hurt by bands 

 left on too long. 



306. Exhibition Coops. When the show association furnishes coops, 



the birds may be shipped in common 

 shipping coops, illustrated in Figs. 

 82 83. When the exhibitor is 

 required to furnish his own coops, 

 combined shipping and exhibition 

 coops (see Fig. 84), should be used. 

 Often the associations suggest certain 

 sizes of coops, that the display may be 

 more uniform, and neater in appear- 

 ance. If the dimensions of the coop 

 are left to the exhibitor, he ought 

 always to be sure to give his birds 

 plenty of room, and never make the 

 mistake of sending birds in a low coop. The dimensions of the coop illus- 

 trated are : height, 30 in. ; width, 30 in. ; depth, 24 in. Whether birds are 

 sent in a shipping or in a shipping-exhibition coop, a neat, clean coop should 

 be used. It is not at all creditable to a breeder to send out his fowls in a 

 rough, dirty coop. 



In shipping exhibition birds which are to be returned to the same owner, it 

 makes no difference in cost of transportation which style of shipping coop is 

 used. If birds are sent in a coop that takes them at single rate, the express 

 companies charge for returning them ; if they go at double rate, they are 

 returned free. 



307. Ought an Exhibitor to Accompany His Birds ? It is better that 

 he should, but it is not really necessary. Many poultry men will not show 

 unless they can go with their birds. It is, of course, a matter in which each 

 must judge for himself. If all followed that course many persons would be 

 unable to exhibit, and there would be fewer and poorer shows. The absent 

 exhibitor's stock is not always looked after as he would look after it himself. 

 On the whole, however, it is pretty carefully handled. 



Pi f. 84. A Combined Exhibition and Shipping Coop. 



308. After the Show the returned fowls should be kept quiet, and fed 

 rather light for a few days. It frequently happens that fowls coming out of 

 a winter show strike weather much colder than any they had experienced 

 before going into it weather so severe that the change from the warm show 



