POULTRY NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8115, 21 May 1906, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES.

[Bv Fancihr.]

Having received a sckeiluto for the coming local show reminds us that it is time to be thinking about getting the birds ready, as it requires about a month to get thorn in goed order. The most important thing just now is the feed, as we doi't want birds shown all bono and feathers, or on the other hand, too fat. Having made up your mind what you intend to show, they should bo pennod up in small coops to get tliem tame, as it is no use having birds that are not well trained. Judges have no time to stop and quieten fowls down; that is _ the exhibitor's work. All tho light breeds must therefore be tamed at once. A good plan is to have them in a small ooop near the back door, so that they get used to you going m and out of tho house. At night time they should be quietly taken off the perch, and stroked down tho back. Then put them to the ground, keeping your hand under and over them so that if they attempt to bolt you ean lift them off their legs. When they have got to stand, stroke them under the throat keeping your hand on the back. Afterwards stroke the throat, then use a short stick to stroke with, and get them used to the stick, so that when the judge puts in his judging stick they will not fly all over the pen.

Abont a fortnight before the show bits of meat, chopped up fine should be. given the fowls, and a little Douglas mixture added to their water. Fowls with white ears should have them washed with warm wator. After drying put on a little line powder, and keep them in a shaded plaoe. Those with red ears should have them rubbed with a little raw beef every day about a week before the show. White fowls should be well washed. I find a little hemp seed is very good for colored fowls, as it gives the feathers a bit of a gloss, and tends to give the bird a healthy appearance. This is very important as the points allowed for condition in most breeds' is very considerable. If a bird is out of cobdition it might as well be out of the show pen. Next week instructions on how to wash a show specimen will be givon, and as they must be tame, it would be advisable to start to train them at onoe.