Selection and Preparation of Fowls for Exhibition. 7 
Before washing the birds place the exhibition coops a short dis- 
tance from a stove or other source of heat so that the birds will dry 
off readily after being washed. Place clean shavings in the coop, 
and cover the top, back, and sides of the coop with cloth or paper to 
prevent a draft. The front of the coop should be left open. Get 
three or, better, four tubs and arrange them on a bench or platform 
of convenient height. The water in the first tub is to be used for 
the actual washing and cleaning; the second, third, and fourth tubs 
are used for rinsing or removing all the soap. Each tub should 
contain water enough to cover the body of the bird when immersed, 
or in other words, it should be about two-thirds full. If possible to 
obtain it, clean rain water should be used. Hard water will not pro- 
duce so satisfactory results as soft water. 
Fic. 4.—The feet and shanks should be examined for stubs or small feathers, which 
are disqualifications when found on breeds that should have clean, unfeathered 
shanks. 
Any pure white toilet soap may be used for washing. 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 and fourth tubs 
may be slightly cooler. Before beginning to wash the fowl, soap the 
water in the first tub well, so that there will be plenty of suds floating 
on the surface; next, wash the face, comb, wattles, shanks, and feet 
of the fowl by scrubbing these parts with a small nailbrush and 
plenty of soap and water. Before actually rubbing the feathers of 
the fowl be sure that the water has thoroughly penetrated all sec- 
