68 Hubbard's poultry secrets. 



on, and before putting them back in their coops rub the plum- 

 age well with a piece of silk. Study the position your birds 

 look best in, and when replacing them in their coops teach them 

 to pose in this position each time. No two birds should be 

 taught to pose in the same position, as each should be taught 

 to pose in the position that covers the faults best. For instance : 

 if a bird is weak in breast, teach it to pose tipped a little for- 

 ward ; if you have one that holds his neck and head too far 

 back, so the hackle covers the back too much, and shortens the 

 appearance of the back, it should be taught to hold his head 

 and neck a little forward. Whatever the fault is teach him to 

 pose to cover it as much as possible. I have now given you 

 my method of feeding, handling and conditioning for the show 

 room, which has never stood defeat. 



CONDITIONING BIRDS FOR BREEDING AFTER 

 THEIR RETURN FROM THE SHOW ROOM. 



I consider it just as much a trick to fit a bird for the breed- 

 ing pen as I do to fit it for the Show Room. In the Show 

 Room, a bird usually gets over-fed, and takes on too much 

 weight. Birds that are over-fat are not fit to breed from, as 

 they will not breed strong chick-ens. The best way to tell 

 when birds are in the best possible condition to breed from is 

 to lift them. If the comb is a good red and the bird feels light 

 and corkey, and still seems to have plenty of flesh, it is in the 

 best possible condition for breeding, and will breed strong 

 chickens that will not give you much trouble to raise, and will 

 grow like weeds. 



If, when you pick them up they feel leady or a dead weight, 

 and they have too much fat below the vent, even if their comb 

 and face are red, they are not in breeding condition, and the 



