New State Poultryman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 1, 1908 Page: 2 of 12
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6
NEW STATE POULTRYMAN.
August 1, 1908.
AN EXPERT OPINION.
T. M. Campbell Tells How to Prepare
Fancy Poultry for Exhibition.
(By T. M. Campbell, Expert Judge.)
We are oftimes asked how to pre-
pare poultry for exhlbs and when
is the best time to begin. Our answer
is invariably, right now.
When a really excellent bird has
reached maturity and shows points
in all sections sufficiently meritorious
to entitle it to a place among exhibi-
tion speciments the further prepar-
ation consits maintly of preventative
measures. Therefore, in connection
the casualties which are likely to un-
fit our birds for showing at their very
best are the subjects' which interest
us most.
To prevent birds from becoming un-
prepared for exhibition is in my opin-
ion the very best way to prepare them
to show well. Lice are among the
worst enemies of fowls and they
should not be tolerated at any time.
During the moulting season great
care should be taken to let the pro-
cess go on without interruption from
the beginning till the birds are fully
fledged.. The more steadily the new
feathers grow from the time they first
start till they are fully grown the
more beautifully the new plumage
will be and the moulting fowl can no
more produce fine feathers fro ma de-
pleted system than can the growing
chick.
Any neglect or accident at this crit-
ical stage maye cause injury which
cannot be repaired before show time.
I am convinced that much of the
barring or smutty edging that so of-
ten annoys fanciers of solid colored
birds is caused by sudden changes in
surrounding conditions or care, which
alternately check and start the
growth of the feathers. Some writers
claim that sudden changes of feed
have a tendency to produce the same
effect and it has been conceded that
exposure to sudden changes in the
weather is likely to produce the same
effect at the moulting period. I re-
member one breeder of wide experi-
ence who claimed that sulphur in the
food helps to brighten the plumage,
but I have always had some doubt as
to its use. Therefore I would not
recommend it, because unless very
cautiously given it impairs the appe-
tite and causes emaciation and sus-
ceptibility to cold and may thus re
suit In much harm. Sunflower seed,
flaxseed and oil meal fed in small
quantities help to give gloss to the
plumage and are harmless.
Anything which injures a pinfeath-
er is likely to make that feather white
or partly white when grown. There-
fore every precaution should be taken
to avoid fighting or any other disturb-
ance among the moulting flocks dur-
ing th emoulting period. I have read
of cases .though very rare, of black
feathers becoming white after they
are fully grown. But as yet no writer
has ever claimed to know the exact
cause. It is a general belief that it
is caused from an internal injury of
some kind.
Too much exposure to the hot sun
or wind and rain after being housed
through the winter sometimes ruins
the earlobes by causing them to blis-
ter or chap and finally peel,, which
changes the color more or less from
what it should be This makes the
chance of winning much less and may
ruin the bird for show purposes, al-
though it does not injure it at all for
breeding.
Plenty of exercise is very essential
for birds at all times; if possible
short straw or chaff about a foot deep
should be kept in your feed room so
that your birds will have to scratch
and take some needed exercise. This
should not be neglected, especially for
two week® prior to showing them.
Another very essential thing is the
legs and feet of your birds, which
require months to fit for showing. In
order to get the legs and feet 'in nice
condition in the shortest possible
length of time you should first take a
vessel of water just about as hot as
you can bear to hold your hands in.
Place the bird in the water up to its
knees. Uuse some soap and a small
brush (a tooth brush is very good)
and brush the legs crossways until
thoroughly cleansed. But do not try
to pick off any of the scales as this
will make the legs sore. Just be
patient, as nature will do the rest
with the proper remedies. Carbolated
vaseline, or three parts lard and one
part sulphur, should be applied thor-
oughly every other day for two weeks,
at the end of which they will be get-
ting in pretty good condition. Besides
they should be separated from the
other birds and be given special care
and feeding, and a tonic added to
their drinking water, for which the
following formula is among the best
I ever used. One gallon of water,
one-half gill sulphuric acid, one-fourth
ounce quinine, two ounces cayenne
pepper, one-half pound sulphate of
iron. This must be kept in a jug
tightl ycorked. One tablespoonful of
this mixture to two quarts of water
is about the right proportion. Give
also a daily allowance of raw, lean
beef, ground if possible, into what is
called Hamburg steak; some green
vegetables such as apples, cabbage or
onions. Plenty of clean straw should
be kept in their apartments to keep
them clean. If white birds they should
be kept as clean as though they were
washed and with much less danger
from taking cold or roup.
Do not feed much at a time, so as
to keep them busy scratching. If
stock has been properly kept till
show time their plumage cannot be
improved by washing. A wet cloth or
sponge to remove the dust will be suf-
ficient. Too much meat or over feed-
ing often causes their combs to twist
or lop. Lopped combs may be greatly
Improved by bathing in alum water
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Griffin, C. W. New State Poultryman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 1, 1908, newspaper, August 1, 1908; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc936247/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.