POULTRY CULTURE 



grows to full size, it is symmetrical, and it is not so likely to 

 develop faults in the line of weakness of color as when conditions 

 are less favorable. Birds grown under such favorable conditions are 

 often taken right from the range to the showroom, and if they are 

 not shy, and take kindly to show conditions, they are the most 

 attractive birds seen in the shows. 



Birds which are intended for the winter shows, and must be 

 kept housed for several weeks or months before being exhibited, 

 require most careful handling. With fowls the males need special 

 attention and, as far as possible, separate quarters for each bird ; 

 for when a number are running together after reaching sexual matu- 

 rity, only the " boss " of the lot develops fully ; the others are 

 cowed and worried and, though full fed, will not shape up and fill 

 out as a cockerel does when master of his companions. Whenever 

 it can be done, each male intended for exhibition should be housed 

 with a pen of hens or pullets that are not laying, or not laying 

 heavily, or if the special quarters provided for fitting males for ex- 

 hibition are large enough, from one to three hens should be kept 

 with each male. These should be hens not intended for exhibition. 

 The best fitting pens are pens on the floor, from four to six feet 

 square ; in these, hens may be kept with the males. When movable 

 exhibition coops or permanent coops of similar size and construction 

 are used, it is better not to put more than one bird of either sex in 

 a coop. The pen on the floor is in every way the best, especially if 

 the birds are to remain there for some time. When it is desirable 

 or necessary to handle the bird frequently, small coops are suitable 

 only for a short period before showing. Females that are being 

 fitted for exhibition need not be kept separate. Those to be shown 

 together in pens should be together, if possible, for some weeks be- 

 fore being shown. In any case the number, kept together should 

 be small, not more than six or eight, that there may be no crowding 

 in any way. Crowding when feeding or drinking, or on the roost, 

 or when dusting, always causes more or less damage to plumage, 

 and often leads to quarrels in which combs and ear lobes are per- 

 manently damaged. The clear, enameled surface of a white ear lobe 

 is spoiled if the lobe is injured. A small piece may be taken from 

 a comb in a fight, or a wattle torn and permanently damaged. A 

 common cause of injuries to combs is the wire netting so much 



