M. CONCLUSION

Judges are instructed to work continuously for stock improvement in making their awards. They should keep in mind, therefore, the suitability of exhibits for the breeding pen, penalizing those defects and disqualifications that affect reproductive values or detract from what may be regarded as the highest merits of such birds.

Some contend that judging is an art rather than a science. Many scoring systems, the majority very elaborate, have been devised to standardize judges’ responses but, in the end, their evaluation on these individual points is still subjective. Their views are coloured by their own interpretation of the Breed Standard and their experience. Experience together with a good eye for stock and integrity are the requirements of a judge. Experience can be gained over the years by breeding and by discussing the Breed Standard with other fanciers, for example.

The importance of uniformity in judging is leading to a more careful study of standard requirements, a more frequent interchange of views and a better understanding of how the Breed Standard shall be applied in the actual work of making awards. While it is too much to expect that judging fowls will ever become perfectly uniform, it is apparent that tendencies towards greater uniformity are at work and will continue to work towards the desired end.

The breeder in exhibition poultry who wishes to attain recognition as such must, perforce, become a successful exhibitor. But before he can become a successful exhibitor he must be kept conspicuously before his mind- the necessary shape, the desired colour, the exact markings. To know the meaning of these elements it will be necessary to study carefully the standard requirements, to learn how they are interpreted by artists in their ideal illustrations, and to frequent the poultry exhibitions to ascertain the interpretation of the judges. In this way the first step to success, a correct knowledge of what is required, may be taken.

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