EXHIBITION POULTRY.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 49, 16 May 1934, Page 4

EXHIBITION POULTRY.

(By "Poultry Show.") . .Carriage is an important factor with an exhibition bird and if the bird usually stands in an unbalanced position its body will appear slightly tilted. A method of correcting this and of ensuring that" the bird will habitually stand upright, is to keep the bird in a coop with the opening arranged in a certain manner. If the bird leans forward the bottom three fourths of the coop front should be darkened and all feed and water placed at the bottom edge of the opening. This trains the bird to stand in a more crcct position. On the other hand if the birds stand in too crcct a position, the upper three fourths of the front should be darkened and feed and water placcd low down While to maintain a bird's correct position, the top and bottom quarters should be •darkened. • Taking a bird cut of a Cage. There is just one way to take a bird out of its to avoid damage to its plumage and it is this: Reach your right hand into the cage and quietly catch the bird across the back holding t e

wings lirmly to the sides of the body. Then reach the left hand in, palm up, taking the bird's legs into the hand with forefinger between them. (Held with one hand with forefinger between the legs, the bird cannot struggle or pull the legs free). Now with wings and legs firmly held, draw the bird out of the cage. In returning the bird to the cago, pass head under left arm while still maintaining grasp of legs with left hand and allow bird to walk in by itself, You may lnive a male bird which is inclined to show light when you go near him, in. that case start by scratching with your finger in the litter and then gradually work you'r hand toward the bird. Talk to it as you- do when feeding and quietly raise your hand to his neck and head. Tickle him between the wattles and under the beak and try and rub him gently under the eye. Do not try to go too fast but gradually get him used to being touched and handled. It is essential to do this if he is ever to be trained for the show.