EXHIBITING POULTRY.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 48, 9 May 1934, Page 5

EXHIBITING POULTRY.

(By "Poultry yhow." THE FEET and LEU*, Leg is a unit tor which at limes causes t rouble to the exhibition poultry breeder. This disease is caused by a mite, which bores under the scales ot! the leg and burrows into the tissues, and by it, the scales on legs and -feet are raised by a crusty substance. Jvjui quarters, dry and barren runs or ashfilled yards contribute to its spread. A #i>od cure for this disease is Oil iu Carraway, and an ointment should I"- , made of one part of the oil to live parts of white vaselin. Pub well into the affected parts and bind with narrow strips of muslin. This should be continued until the disease disappears. Moisture is essential to a good colour in feet and legs and if good gars range is not used wiping daily with a wet cloth is useful. Green feed is similarly necessary to secure good colouring. In order to be able to work comfortably on the birds a band should be made from a strip of muslin, having two holes for legs to pass through and with strings to fasten together over the fowl's back thus keeping the wings close to the body. A hammock ni.iy then be used so arranged as to allow the legs to be free and provided with ii means of slinging from the ceiling. With the bird slung in this manner, it is an easy matter to work on the legs and feet and if the old scales 1 on a cock or hen have not been shed and appear to be loose, they may be removed by stressing the thumb nail lirmly against the side of the scale. TAMING OF BIUDS. It, is very necessary that birds should be properly tamed in readiness foi the judge's inspection and it is never too early to .start. Kindness and patience are two virtues which oft.'n lind their reward at the show. Tali- I ence iu training is a crucial factor and ■ if one Jinils oneself losing patience, ii is wise to leave the birds or good work may be undone. If your birds are friendly to you you will have a much I better chance -of teaching Iliein to pose ' later on. Feeding a choice morsel whe i I you go into the pen is a good plan and ' by talking to the birds and by taking them up and handling them, much c:in be done towards the desired end. Be smooth and unhurried in yuur m 0 , . , . ,- nients- and you will give your birds confidence. A good time to fondle a bird is after dark when it is on the perch." Get it used to a stick as well as the hand. Gradually accustom the birds to the approach of strangers and they will not seek the back corners of the cai;e at the show.