The weekly clarion., 1880-06-30
Yermin on Fowls.

A correspondent of the Country Gentleman
writes There is nothing more detrImemental
to the comfort and health OF fowls than the
presence of body parasites. They not only
trouble the hours of natural rest, but keep up
a continued aggravation (after arriving to q
certain extent in numbers) that render the
lives OF the birds thus afflicted not only mis-
erable but painful to endure am not say
ing too much in repeating that they are the
root of all diseases in the fowl kingdom, and
vet a careless observer would not notice this.
If fowl be aihng, the trouble Is pronounced
nj once TO be some notable disease. Strong,
healthy birds viii in a measure, where not
confined, keep the ascendeucy over this enemy
which slumbers not, nor sleeps. As the warm
weather approaches the increase (and the
number grows rapidly leave the bodies and
seek some covert about the rOOstlng places.
where they hide during the day, and come
forth at night to render the fowls restless with
torment. Now, this must affect the whole ner-
yous system when confined for any length of
time and more or less affect the condition of
the coming generations 1t is these weakly
constitutions that invite disease. A mixture
Of breeds, an interchange Of blood OF the
same breed benefits the health of brOods, and
gives more stamina 10 withstand the approach
of these foes.
Sheep, cattle and swine are subject to like
pests, and | doubt If the day ever arrives
when they go out of existence entirely. Still
they can and must be subdued for the benefit
and profit of the iocks and fowls. To cleanse
the fowls we must begin with the sitting hen.
After once thoroughly settled down IS bust
give her an entirely new nest, and If in
a situation known to be infested with lice, re-
move it to a clean place, and give il 10
barrel or bex, or whatever contains the nest.
After being given good eggs to sit on, the fowl
should he examined two or three times a week,
and il lice found she should be thoroughly
busted with Persian insect powder, and a
mixture of wood ashes and road dust be placed
where she may wallow in itif manitesting any
disposition to do so. Sitting hens, if lousy.
will generally seek some place to dust them
selves. BY wallowing or rolling in the dirt the
fowls keep the enemy down. Some years ago
l had occasion TO borrow some light Brahma
hens for sitters. Among them one hen
that would leave her nest two three times
each day, eat little drink, and return TO the
nest again. Perhaps this might not have been
observed, but the fowls being in strange place
and away from their chosen nests, it was deem
ed expedient TO keep an eye on their move
ments. The hen pronounced not to be
lousy, as she did not act like one thus afflicted
did not wallow or pick herself. Finally
i. was decided to give her an examinat tion.
Above the vent IN the hollow just be-
low the tail bone, were found myriads of large
body lice-fully two thlmblefuls, heaped aud
piled one upon another The search car
ried no farther, the signt was disgusting, The
hen was discarded from the nest and from the
roosting-places In the course of day or
two the fowl commenced TO wallow in the heap
of dry sand and earth kept for that purpose,
and in a weeks time had comparatively rid
herself of many of her tormentors. l might
add that the nelghbOr from whom borrowed
the hen never cleaned his hen house ,Ror rather
roosting-place. TWAS deemed superfuous la
bor- His hens were always wanting to sit,
even in the dead of winter, and furnished few
eggs. They appeared heavy, sluggish, and
dormant.
Since then, when hear of fowls manifesting
an unusual desire to sit, l recommend a treat
ment for body lice, and a cure is generally
effected. These pests force the fowls out of
natural habits. They destroy rest, quiet and
sleep, and not only breed diseases, but degen-
crate and weaken the species. Exterminate
Hxrrr hat L.
be effectual, so that the fowls may have repose
Cleanse the buildings and roosting- places
thoroughly, and give them coat Of fresh lime
Remove all the filth and droppings therefrom,
and sprinkle their habitations with air
Stacked lime.