COCKERS MANUAL. 5 J 



TRIMMING FOWLS FOR THE PIT. 



Known among cockers as "cutting out," is done by the handler 

 itfflmediately after weighing and tends to give the cock greater force 

 and activity in the pit. This practice has been in vogue for years 

 among handlers, and consists in cutting or trimming the neck and 

 hackle feathers close from his head to his shoulders and clipping off 

 all the feathers from his tail close to his rump. The more scarlet ap- 

 pears the better state of health he is in. Then take his wings and 

 extend them ; from the first feather clip the rest sloping, leaving sharp^ 

 points, that in rising he may endanger the eyes of his adversary. This 

 practice, we are glad to say, is not followed as much at present as ii» 

 former years, as most fowls are required to be shown in full feather. 



RULES FOR HEELING. 



Holding the fowl on either side fit the heel tightly to the stub, hav- 

 ing the point just pass the outside or back of the leg and fasten it 

 while in that position. Holding onto the leg just heeled, turn the 

 fowl and proceed to heal the other in the same manner, with the point 

 occupying a similar position. Fowls heeled in this manner will be 

 found to do good cutting in the body and neck and frequently will 

 bring down their opponents with either a broken wing or leg. A fowl 

 fighting for the head and neck exclusively require a much closer heel- 

 ing, to accomplish which, if the heel is to be placed on the right leg^ 

 set it so that the point will be on a line with the center of the slight 

 hollow perceptible in the upper joint of the right leg. The point of 

 the heel on the left leg should be placed on a line with the outside of 

 the upper joint of the left leg. 



On this subject Dr. Cooper advises as follows: "Let your fowl be 

 held so that the inside of the leg will be perfectly level, then take 

 your thumb and fore finger and work the back toe of the fowl. While 

 doing this you will see the leader of the leg rise and fall at the upper 

 joint. You will set the right gaft on a line with the outside of the 

 leader at the upper joint of the leg, and the left gaft you will set on a 

 line with the inside of the leader at the upper joint. Be careful not 



