Selecting Birds for Show. , ._ 



simple fact, the competition at good shows is now so severe that only the lest birds of any man 

 liave a reasonable probability of winning ; and hence the most experienced exhibitors usually show 

 very few, except in the cases where they enter a number of cockerels for sale. To do otherwise 

 is to lose much money in entrance fees ; and we would strongly advise the beginner to send only 

 his best cockerel, and his best pair of pullets or hens, or of both. It may be hard to determine 

 which these are ; and it is a great advantage in this respect to put the birds into the pens we have* 

 already recommended for other reasons, where they can be closely scrutinised. Under such an 

 inspection, many hitherto unforeseen faults become apparent ; and it will moreover be found that 

 those birds which appear best as they run in the yard are 7iot always the best-looking when in the 

 pen. Every extensive exhibitor uses such pens occasionally to make his final selections ; and for 

 this purpose, for the close and deliberate study of their points apart from the bustle of a show, 

 or for preparing as already described in view of actual exhibition, there can be nothing which will 

 be of more vital service to an amateur. The pairs of hens or pullets more especially should be 

 scrutinised to see if they match ; and we may add that matching in the heads and breasts is 

 perhaps the most important to secure, though any great difference in the colour of other parts 

 would be also fatal in good company. English fanciers are far more particular in this respect than 

 American, on account of the much keener competition ; and hence a first-class "matched" pair of 

 birds is worth a large sum — perhaps four times as much as a single bird of equal quality. Thus, if 

 a fine single pullet be worth ;£'S, an exactly matched pair of equal merit would probably realise 

 pretty easily ;£'20, on account of their greater utility for show purposes. 



In thus selecting birds, distinction must be drawn between faults which are nearly fatal, and 

 others which are matters merely of comparison. Thus, a lopping comb would be fatal to a 

 Hamburgh, and so would a white leg ; but marking is simply a matter of greater or less perfection. 

 In Spanish, a red face would be fatal ; but the extent of the white face is matter for competition. 

 It is of course necessary to go occasionally to such shows as are within reach, that it may be really 

 known what quality of birds has a fair chance of winning ; and it may not be advisable always to 

 send the best specimens to a small show, where the spare birds may be good enough to win, but 

 rather to keep them back for a more important one some time after, when the very height of 

 condition and appearance may be needed to give any reasonable chance of success. 



A very experienced breeder — no other, in fact, than Mr. F. Wragg — has often told us that he 

 likes his favourite cockerels to be " kept well under " by larger or fiercer birds till some weeks before 

 showing — not of course to be regularly thrashed, but sufficiently driven about to keep them always 

 hungry for their food and intent upon it. Then, some fortnight or three weeks before showing, he 

 would put a bird by himself with a couple of old hens, and the effect was wonderful, " making a 

 man of him " as if by magic. He would set himself up, and learn to show himself off, and assume 

 airs and style which no other treatment would produce. To the truth of this we can personally 

 testify, and the hint may be useful to others. 



Poultry kept in a well-shaded grass-run and good shed, and properly cared for, need only 

 a somewhat special diet for a few weeks before the show for which they are required. The 

 breakfast of soft food should be somewhat increased ; and a moderate meal added at mid-day. 

 Some good authorities advise toast soaked in old ale to give spirit ; but this is not always safe, 

 especially in hot weather ; and we could never satisfy ourselves that any marked effect came ol 

 it, while none of the best poultry-managers that we know ever use it for this purpose, though they 

 may now and then employ it as a remedy or restorative. A piece of cooked meat the size ol 

 a walnut, chopped up daily for each fowl, will be a far better means of accomplishing the same 

 object. Two or three times weekly during the period of preparation, linseed should be added 



