Treatment, Preparation, and Exhibition of Show Specimens. 
99 
not least, secures a big saving in freight if sent any distance, each coop being charged for scparatclv on our 
railways, so that a number of wicker coops to accommodate the same number of birds which one of this 
pattern will take would cost far more proportionately. Another advantage in this class of coop is that each 
bird may have a separate compartment, thus precluding the risk of quarrelling on the journey. We have sent 
birds to Shows i,ooo miles distant in this description of coop, and have found them excellent in every 
respect. 
Many breeds of Poultry can stand any amount of showing, but there are others which go off considerably 
if confined for three or four days. When this is noticed a stimulant should be given, such as Jenkinson's 
Revivers, or tonic pills, or a little whisky and water, which will, in the majority of cases, remove any seeming 
ill effects, providing that they are fed on soft food the first day after returning, no grain being allowed them 
until the following day. Cockerels may be put into their accustomed house, but not with others, as fighting 
will generally take place. Pullets maybe turned down in their run without much fear, though old hens often 
cause a lot of trouble if not carefully managed for a day or two. Exhibiting birds successfully requires much 
tact and knowledge, but to any Fancier who will give the time and attention it deserves the results will be 
fully warranted, in addition to the possible chance of securing the first prize or cup — the amateur's highest 
ambition. 
Fig. 53- — Travelling Coop, complete. 
Colour Feeding. 
A few words on the colour feeding of Poultry, in order to improve the appearance of the plumage for 
exhibition, will doubtless be of interest to those who are " not in the know," as the man who is an expert 
Poultry-breeder, and possessed of the knowledge how to "get his birds up," holds a decided advantage with 
his specimens in the show pen. To do this, however, and to colour-feed Poultry to perfection, one must 
have at least an elementary knowledge of chemistry so far as it relates to the " transformation of food into 
feathers." The majority of the varieties and sub- varieties of Poultry have been perfected by artificial selection 
and preference, but there is still great scope to improve on the results, as far as colour and markings are 
concerned, by feeding specially for colour points, and to do this thoroughly is the primary secret of success. 
The most potent factor in connection with colour-feeding lies in the blood. The blood receives the products 
of digestion, and carries them to the tissues ; and, as iron exists naturally in the blood of Fowls, by increasing 
the quantity of iron we will considerably improve the colour of the plumage, in addition to increasing the 
energy and vitality of the circulation of the blood, which shows itself in the comb, face, and wattles. To 
impregnate the body of a fowl with colouring matter must necessarily take some time, so that it is almost an 
impossibility to begin too soon. As the smallest chickens evince a liking to colour-feed such as given to 
canaries, there is no difficulty whatever in feeding them to this end. When it is desired to colour-feed, those 
birds only should be selected which give promise of turning out high-class, as it is not worth while taking the 
trouble with inferior specimens. To colour-feed properly, the following treatment will be found absolutely 
th^ best : To the drinking water add one teaspoonful of the " Douglas " Tonic Mixture to each quart of pure 
water for a fortnight, pure water only for the next fortnight, and so on, giving for the first fortnight one 
