^04 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



feathers are invariably reproduced as perfectly black as they were originally. At best it is a cruel 

 practice ; the improved appearance is of course only temporary ; and as not unfrequently the space 

 laid bare round the crests by the removal of these feathers proves, on careful inspection in the 

 hands of the judge, as wide as the finger, a fearful rack of constitution must ensue to the fowls 

 themselves, quite irrespective of the blighted hopes as to prize-taking of the fraudulent owner by 

 whom they were exhibited. Another species of deception has also become of frequent occurrence, 

 viz., entirely 'dubbing' off the combs of Polish cocks whilst cockerels. A practical judge can 

 however soon determine, on close examination, where this deception has been resorted to ; and, I 

 may add, in really well-bred chickens no such practice is required. 



"As is the case in Spanish fowls, in fact all dark-legged breeds of poultry, the Black Polands 

 become lighter-coloured in the legs and feet as years creep on. They are then not so taking to 

 the eye of an arbitrator ; but I consider it myself one of those inevitable results of old age that 

 should not be allowed to militate against them when competing with younger specimens. 



"For the guidance of those who may adopt Black Polands as their future favourites, it will 

 not be out of place to throw out a few suggestions that may prevent annoyance and loss to the 

 inexperienced. The chickens are apt to dwindle from perfectly robust health, drooping the wings, 

 and dropping off, at from five to six weeks old. This is their trying time, and once safely got 

 through it, they then become as hardy as most descriptions of fancy poultry. A little extra care as 

 this time draws nigh — ^with the addition of chopped cheese, crushed hemp-seed, and maggots from 

 stale flesh, well scoured for a few days in bran to cleanse them from impurities — I always found 

 brought them safely through their difficulties. Another circumstance worth naming arises from the 

 naturally timid character of young Polands, when the crests are fully developed and they have not 

 been accustomed to be handled. If taken up unexpectedly from behind, I have to my chagrin 

 known several cases of them dying instantly, although most tenderly handled ; the head suddenly 

 dropped, a slight gurgling in the throat took place, and the most valued specimens became 

 ' worthless altogether.' This evidently arises from sudden alarm, as they cannot see coming danger 

 from the rear when the crests are as fully developed as I have seen them ; and the accident generally 

 takes place when the chickens have hitherto been subjected to no restraint on a wild country walk. 

 If spoken soothingly to before taking them in hand, this mishap is altogether obviated. 



" Among full-crested cocks annoyances frequently arise from the hens eating away the centre- 

 feathers of the crest while yet immature. This evil practice once acquired is difficult to repress, 

 the fact being, the cocks stand perfectly still and allow the young feathers to be eaten away piece- 

 meal, as though not susceptible of pain even when the blood is flowing freely. The only course 

 appears to be rather by prevention than remedy — viz., to fasten the cocks up separately for a few 

 days during the time the crest-feathers are being reproduced, for when matured even the same 

 hens rarely continue this vexatious habit. Sometimes when cocks have been thus repeatedly 

 plucked by their companions, I have known the crest-feathers reproduced beneath the scalp (being 

 unable to force a passage) ; this unnatural growth is frequently attended by severe local 

 inflammation, and even death. I had, some years back, two or three cocks thus suffering 

 experimented upon by a medical acquaintance, the result being that though he ' saved their lives,' 

 they were in every case totally ruined as show-birds. 



" I will very briefly narrate a circumstance connected with the best hen I ever had (or ever 

 saw) of this variety, and which is no less singular than instructive. She came into my possession 

 most unexpectedly, being sent among a large quantity of other poultry from Shropshire to a 

 Birmingham poultry-dealer. I obtained her for little more than ' killing-price.' One of the toes 

 of this hen was deficient of about half its length, on the left foot. Every appearance betokened 



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