00 Hampers for Fowls. 



entirely dipped into a pan of warm water, then rinsed 

 thoroughly in cold water, wiped with a flannel, and placed 

 in a basket with soft straw before a fire to dry. They 

 should then be shut up in their houses with plenty of clean 

 straw. They should have their feet washed if dirty, and 

 be well fed with soft nourishing food just before being put 

 into the travelling-basket, for hard food is apt to cause 

 fever and heat while travelling, and, having to be digested 

 without gravel or exercise, causes indigestion, which ruffles 

 the plumage, dulls its colour, darkens the comb, and 

 altogether spoils the appearance of the bird. Sopped or 

 steeped bread is excellent. 



The hampers should always be round or oval in form, as 

 fowls invariably creep into corners and destroy their 

 plumage. They should be high enough for the cocks to 

 stand upright in, without touching the top with their 

 combs. Some exhibitors prefer canvas tops to wicker lids, 

 considering that the former preserve the fowls' combs from 

 injury if they should strike against the top, while others 

 prefer the latter as being more secure, and allowing one 

 hamper to be placed upon another if necessary, and also 

 preserving the fowls from injury if a heavy hamper or 

 package should otherwise be placed over it. A good plan 

 is to have a double canvas top, the space between being 

 filled with hay. A thick layer of hay or straw should be 

 placed at the bottom of the basket. Wheaten straw is 

 the best in summer and early autumn, and oat or barley 

 straw later in the year and during winter. A good lining 

 also is essential ; coarse calico stitched round the inside of 

 the basket is the best. Ducks and geese do not require 

 their hampers to be lined, except in very cold weather; 

 and the best lining for them is made by stitching layers of 

 pulled straw round the inside of the basket. Turkeys 

 should have their hampers lined, for although they are 

 very hardy, cold and wet damage their appearance more 

 than other poultry. Take care that the geese cannot get 

 at the label, for they will eat it, and also devour the 

 hempen fastenings if within tlieir reach. 



Be very careful in entering your birds for exhibition ; 



