Treatment, Preparation, and Exhibition of Show Specimens. 
97 
wing to the shoulder joint, bringing it around on the under side of the wing fastening to the bandage. This 
will keep it in the proper position, and if not an aggravated case of the feathers being turned inside out, will 
frequently effect a permanent cure. Many old cocks when moulting acquire the same fault, but in their case 
carefully tucking the feathers in proper position while roosting will prevent the mischief becoming permanent, 
and it is advisable when a bird is of special value to examine occasionally during moulting time at night 
while on the roost. The roosts for stock birds should always be placed at a sufficient distance from the back 
of the house to prevent the birds breaking or damaging their tails by rubbing up against it. All these 
trifling details will materially assist in keeping the birds in good plumage, and tend to make them look as 
attractive as possible, while if neglected will cause them to present a dilapidated appearance. Fowls that are 
intended for exhibition require a little handling so as to keep them tame, a wild bird in the Show pen often 
losing whatever chance it may have possessed, besides being a source of annoyance when required for any 
purpose. This applies equally to the breeding stock as to the young birds intended for exhibition. 
When the birds are selected for the Show pen they require a little training to accustom them to the 
confinement of the Show coop, and no matter how wild and ungovernable a bird is when first placed in a 
training pen, a few moments given to stroking them down and gently handling will quiet their fears, and if 
a few tit-bits are given after each performance, no difficulty will occur, they quickly understanding that no 
harm is intended, for the Show pen birds should be shown in a top condition — ^/^a^ t's, a little fatter and 
better conditioned than if for the breeding pen. A bird shown too fat will not have the same action as if it 
was in nice condition. Many birds as they run about in the yard are in too fat a condition for showing, 
though fed on the same food as others which are comparatively thin. All this has to be considered, one 
bird often requiring to be reduced in weight, while another to stand an equal chance must be fed up. 
Experience will guide the observer as to the correct '■'■form " the individual bird will require to be brought to. 
Again, it is not wise to rush off to Shows with a lot of medium birds, considering that at the large Annual 
Shows of the Royal Societies and the different Poultry Societies one has to meet the pick of the twelve 
months' breeding throughout the colonies. It is far better to pick out a few birds which stand out from 
their fellows in some degree, and give them undivided attention previous to exhibiting, which in most cases 
would not be possible where a large number were selected, thus frequently sacrificing possible chances of 
securing a prize through the bird or birds wanting Show condition. We have repeatedly noticed birds beaten 
on condition alone, excelling in every respect save this one quality, which, in the hands of a careful or 
experienced Fancier, would have no difficulty in securing first honours. Many young Fanciers overlook this, 
and think themselves harshly treated ; but we venture to state that, as Poultry Shows are formulated to foster 
and encourage the exhibition of high-class Fowls, condition is, and should be, one of the very most important 
qualifications a Show winner should possess. What does a dirty, bedraggled plumaged bird look like in a 
Show pen ? A disgrace to the man or woman who exhibited it, and on this ground alone we would like to 
see even more stress placed upon this shortcoming than is done by the majority of our judges. 
As before remarked, when preparing the birds for the show pen, confinement in a trainmg-coop for an 
hour or so daily is the best method, and a little extra food outside of the ordinary food should be given. 
Meat minced fine, and given daily in small quantities (about half an ounce), linseed meal boiled to a jelly 
and mixed with the soft food two or three times per week, a little hemp seed or canary seed mixed with the 
night feed, and a half-teaspoonful of sulphur mixed with the soft food on alternate days, will wonderfully 
assist in making the plumage appear bright and lustrous, and to the drinking water should be added a small 
quantity of the Douglas mixture before mentioned in this chapter, the latter to assist in giving the birds that 
coral-like appearance about the comb, face, and wattles so desirable in a Show bird. We have also found 
that a little powdered charcoal mixed in the soft food assists in keeping the bird's crop from becoming sour. 
This treatment should get a bird up into top condition in a fortnight. The day before the Show the bird's 
head and legs require a little attention, the former being well washed with soap and water, and well dried 
after the operation, the nostrils being cleaned if any dirt is present. For the legs a toothbrush used with 
soap and water will do all required if a dark-legged breed, but for white or yellow-legged fowls gften dirt wiU 
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