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HOW TO CONDITION BIRDS FOR THE SHOW ROOM. 



(U. R. Fishel, Hope, Indiana.) 



Having selected or purchased the birds you intend to show, it 

 behooves you to have your birds (when placed before the critical eye 

 of the judge and in competition with the best there is of this variety 

 in your section) in the very pink of condition. A few days before the 

 show 1 would select the birds I desire to exhibit, place them singly 

 in nice exhibition coops. By doing this you get the birds accustomed 

 to being cooped and they become tame and appear in much better 

 style for the judge. Take each bird and go over it carefully, plucking 

 out all feathers that may be soiled or stained, or any feathers that 

 may have flecks on them. All white fowls show black necking in some 

 feathers, and these must be plucked before the bird is exhibited. 

 Wash the shanks and feet of the bird with a toothbrush, using a 

 wooden toothpick to remove the dirt that has accumulated under the 

 scale. Be careful not to make the scale sore or bleed. Two or three 

 days before the show prepare to, and wash the birds. See that your 

 coops are clean and well bedded with shavings; secure four tubs, one 

 tub, use for washing, two tubs for rinsing, and one tub for blueing. 

 Have the water lukewarm and use Ivory soap. I have tried nearly 

 every make of soap, but Ivory has proven best of all. (I get nothing 

 from the manufacturers for this recommendation.) Have the tub 

 about half full of water. Wet the fowl 

 thoroughly before you apply any soap. I 

 use a soft sponge in the washtub and also 

 in both rinsing tubs. Soap the bird well, 

 being careful to begin at the head, wash- 

 ing hackle and head first, back next, tail 

 next, wings next, breast, and then rear 

 fluff. Always rub with the feather. Do 

 not be afraid to get the dirt out. Use 

 soap and rub until the plumage is white. 

 After the bird is washed, hold it out of 

 the water and get all the water and soap 

 out of the plumage you can, then place 

 in tub number two and rinse thoroughly, 

 seeing that the water goes through every 

 feather; after rinsing thoroughly in tub 

 number two place the bird in tub num- 

 ber three, where the same rinsing process 

 is gone over. You must get all the soap out of the plumage or your 

 work is all for naught. Get all water possible out of plumage, then 

 dip in tub number four, which contains blueing, or bleaching water. 

 Make this about the same color as is used in blueing clothes. Set the 

 bird on a barrel or table on a clean towel and let drain for a few 

 moments and then place the bird in a coop, allowing it to dry slowly. 

 Have your room in which you wash reasonably warm, not too hot, 

 for if too hot the plumage will curl. If you have not been afraid to 

 work, your birds should be washed clean and look beautiful. When 



White Plymouth Rock. 



