Very few of the leading and popular judges at our exhibitions are
Hamburg _breeders_, and realizing this, it should not be difficult to
imagine the chagrin and disappointment of an _experienced_ breeder of
these varieties when he stands by at a show and sees the judge award the
premiums to birds with many and glaring faults, to his eyes, but which
are never noticed by this oracle of the show room, who makes his figures
with a business-like alacrity, strongly savoring of ignorance to the
close observer, and appears thoroughly satisfied that he is “up to
snuff,” when in reality he has been absurdly unjust in his awards.
There is no breed which needs so careful examination from the judge as
the Hamburg, in each variety, not only on account of the many points to
be considered, but because there is _no_ breed so subject to the
manipulations of unprincipled exhibitors, or where there is more
lynx-eyed vigilance required from the judge to guard him against the
impositions of those pests of the show room—_trimmers_.
The points to which a judge should devote his attention in judging
Hamburgs may be divided into four divisions, namely: 1, head; 2,
plumage; 3, symmetry; 4, condition. Beginning with the first of these,
we find included under this topic—comb, wattles, ear-lobes and face.
There is no point in which Hamburgs are subject to such extensive
manipulation as in the comb, and some of the practices which have been
detected are of the most cruel nature. Cases where needles and pins have
been inserted lengthwise of the comb to keep it from lapping while the
judge is making his rounds, have been of common occurrence, although we
are pleased to note that as more good and small-sized combs are being
bred yearly, this practice seems to be falling into disuse. These
instruments of torture are usually inserted just before the judges
examine the birds, and withdrawn by means of pinchers immediately after
the awards have been made, so that they are really difficult to
discover. Where these needles are left in the comb, the most intense
suffering ensues, and Mr. Hewitt has drawn a most harrowing picture of
the tortures the poor bird is obliged to undergo. He says: “On the
second day, the comb becomes most intolerably inflamed, and I have seen
a fowl in its agony bend the head down, raise its foot, as with the
intention of relieving the comb by scratching it, stop the movement
midway without touching the comb at all, and then tremble like an
aspen-leaf.” When cases of such barbarity are detected, the exhibitor
should be remorselessly drummed out of the exhibition and the
fraternity. A very common fault in combs is a hollow or depression in
the center; and this is usually treated by cutting a wedge-shaped piece
out of the middle, and stitching the outside portions tightly till
joined and healed. Stitches put in for one purpose or other are often
found, and, we regret to add, are employed far oftener than found. Small
irregularities in shape and points are simply shaved off. Such
mutilations are quickly discerned by a practiced eye in the smooth
appearance of the comb when it has been cut, but as frequently this
appearance is due to a past accident, judges should not act hastily upon
suspicion.
Particular attention should be paid to the “work” or fine points of the
comb; the more numerous they are, the better. Hollows in the front of
the comb, above the beak, are common and objectionable, and should be
severely cut. Pullets should have _small_ and well-shaped combs. We
recommend cutting large combs in pullets, as they are almost certain to
fall over with age.
The face is also subject to painting red when it has a tendency to
white, and this is often discovered by the difference in the shade of
the comb and face, although sometimes the similarity of color is so
perfect as to defy detection. When we suspect painting, a gentle rubbing
usually suffices to prove if our suspicions are correct. This white in
the face is a direct disqualification in Black Hamburgs according to the
American _Standard_, but as we seldom find a two or three year old cock
without it, we think the _Standard_ should not thus _disqualify_ old
birds, but “cut severely as a defect.” Cockerels with this white face
should be thrown out without remorse.
Ear-lobes are often painted white, and sometimes quite cleverly, but
this is usually so bungling an operation as to be readily detected, if
you examine it carefully. Ear-lobes should be round and small. Cut
large, irregularly-shaped, and above all, _pendent_ ear-lobes. The
bluish tinge often seen on Hamburg ear-lobes should not be cut except in
cases of comparison. We do not like it, but it is often occasioned by
confinement, and is not a direct blemish. Wattles should be small and
well rounded. We recommend cutting a pendent wattle, such as is proper
to the Leghorn varieties.
Our second division treats of plumage, and here again the trimmer finds
a broad field of labor. White feathers in Blacks are pulled out, but as
these usually appear in the wings, if at all, the absence of flight
feathers should be accepted as proof of the previous existence of white
feathers. If there is any tendency at all to white in this variety, it
will usually be found by holding the bird by the legs head downward,
when the fluff feathers under the tail and between the legs will be
found to possess small white tips. We found the first prize birds at a
recent show distinctly tipped with white here, but the judge had never
noticed it. In the case of the spangled varieties, large quantities of
feathers are often extracted from the breast and back, when they are so
numerous that the black spangles run together.
This trimming out process, which is, of course, done to show the color
between the spangles, is very difficult of detection, and almost
impossible to positively prove. In the penciled varieties the attention
of the trimmer is turned to the tail of the cocks. A finely-penciled
tail is a rarity, and when a fine set of well-marked sickles are
obtained they are sometimes preserved “for future reference” (as it
were), and often figure in several different birds before they are worn
out. As these well-marked sickles often grow on a bird with a poor comb,
the owner usually selects his best marked bird otherwise, extracts the
poor sickles, and inserts the good ones in their place. The fastening
may get loose during the show, and then drop out, exposing the fraud at
once. These false sickles, however, are usually dull in color, lacking
the gloss of healthy feathers, and can be usually detected by a judge
who has his wits about him and is on the alert. Still, they are
sometimes so cleverly doctored as to defy discovery, unless subjected to
such harsh treatment as few judges feel justified in using upon mere
suspicion. A dark, glossy, sharply-edged tail on a cock with very slight
wing-bars should always excite suspicion.
Another frequent practice is dyeing feathers. This is often detected by
the absence of the glossy appearance seen on the remainder of the
plumage. Frequently, however, off-colored feathers will be plucked out,
skillfully colored and glossed, and successfully reinstated in their
places, with little chance of their being discovered. In spangled and
penciled birds, imperfect markings or blotches are often bleached out
with acids, and proper markings given the feathers with grease-paints,
which assimilate with the oily substance in the feather, and render
detection almost impossible. These various frauds make the task of a
conscientious Hamburg judge one of unusual anxiety and responsibility.
We may be blamed for mentioning these vile practices, but we believe
that any evil that may arise from our furnishing hints to the
unscrupulous will be more than counterbalanced by putting judges on
their guard who are much too apt to pass over these points rapidly and
carelessly.
The third division treats of symmetry, and right here let us say that
there is no point in judging Hamburgs so much neglected as this most
important one. We were dismayed to hear a judge, who was examining birds
recently, say: “You are pretty safe to cut a Hamburg one point for
symmetry.” What did he mean? Simply, we suppose, that he knew so little
about this quality that he resolved to cover his ignorance by refusing
to admit any bird to be perfect in this respect. There are too many
judges, alas, who agree with him, because they know not what symmetry
means. We have described the symmetry of Hamburgs under the heading of
the Black variety, and so need not repeat it. Only let us again warn
judges to discriminate between the undesirable _Game_ shape, and the
equally improper _Dorking_ mould in judging these birds. The Hamburg
symmetry is peculiar to the breed, and cannot be mistaken, and as fully
one-half the birds exhibited incline either to the Game or Dorking
symmetry, the distinct difference in shape should be understood by every
judge, and severely cut if not correct.
Our last division refers to condition, and this, also, is of much
importance in judging Hamburgs. It counts from five to ten points in
making up a perfect bird, and we believe there is not one case out of
ten where dark or dusty plumage, discolored comb or soiled legs are cut
by the judge. Unless the bird has decided symptoms of roup, or other
disease, it is simply passed over. A good judge invariably makes the
point of condition a primary one. It means a fresh, well-kept condition
of the comb and head, a fine, glossy plumage, upright and active
appearance, and clean, shining legs.
There is an indescribable difference between a healthy, active,
well-bred bird and one that, although it may be descended from pure
stock, having correct markings and the like, yet lacks vivacity, spirit
and a general air of _aristocracy_. If there be one breed of fowls above
others more worthy of being called the “upper-crust of poultry-dom,” we
are inclined to the opinion the breed under our consideration is that
one.
Now, every man is not fitted to become a good judge of poultry, even if
he go through the regular process, any more than every one can become an
exact musician by undergoing the necessary course of training. There is
an inborn something that distinguishes one person from another and
certain it is that ideas of form, grace and coloring, above the
ordinary, are to be found in the composition of our best judges.
The question is often asked by officers of agricultural and
horticultural fairs, as well as by those of poultry exhibitions, if it
is not possible to have awards made without producing the hard feelings
and unsatisfactory results generally following. And we answer, “No!”—as
long as no more pains are taken in the selection of judges on the score
of their particular fitness for the position they are called upon to
fill. On their efficiency turn the questions of success, harmony, and
the keeping and securing of the public confidence and patronage.
We hope we have not been too severe upon judges in this chapter. A
really good judge will see the force of our arguments, and in the case
of the indifferent ones, we trust _verbum sapientibus omnes est_.