268 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



the coop open. Provide three, or better still, four tubs 

 arranged on a bench or platform of convenient height. 



The water in the first tub is used for the actual washing. 

 The second and third tubs of water are used to remove all 

 the soap, while the water in the fourth tub may have added 

 a slight amount of blueing, such as is used in washing clothes. 

 The practice of adding blueing is not as widespread as it 

 used to be on account of the danger of coloring the plumage. 

 Each tub should contain sufficient water to cover the body- 



Figure 265. — Washing the fowl. 



and neck feathers of the bird when immersed. Clean rain 

 water should be used, if it is possible to obtain it, as hard 

 water or water that contains mineral deposits such as iron 

 will not produce satisfactory results. Pure white soap, 

 such as Ivory or Castile soap, should be used. The water 

 in the first two tubs should be heated to a temperature 

 that will be comfortable to the hand, while the water in 

 the third tub should be slightly cooler and in the fourth 

 tub cooler still. Prior to washing the birds, soap the 

 water well in the first tub, so as to have plenty of suds. 



