U2 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



being added to the cold water. A warm room is 

 needed, for poultry shows come in cold weather; in 

 practice, the kitchen is commonly made use of. The 

 bird is first scrubbed with warm water, using a brush 

 and always rubbing downward. Soap should be 

 used freely, but thoroughly rinsed off in the second 

 tub, the victim being soused in the cooler water. 

 Then a dipping or two in the bluing water will give 

 the finishing touch to the bath. Next in order is a 

 thorough drying with sponge and towel, after which 

 the bird is placed in a coop, the bottom of which is 

 covered thickly with sawdust, and the coop given a 

 location near the fire, but not close enough to cause 

 the feathers to crinkle from the heat. 



While fowls with dark plumage are not often 

 washed, all need a certain amount of attention and 

 the man who sends his birds to the show in the best 

 of condition has an advantage over his more slovenly 

 competitor. Whatever the breed, the legs, comb, 

 wattles and lobes should be carefully cleansed with 

 warm water, using soap and a soft sponge. 



It will be realized from what has been written, 

 that the breeding of fancy poultry is not an under- 

 taking to be entered upon lightly if one is really 

 ambitious for success in the show room. And yet 



