The Republican journal., 1912-09-05
Lice and Mites on Fowl.
Timely Helps on Important Subject for
Poultrymen from u. Of NJ. Expert. ,,


.@-ea-f.-4l' sa.ils97'ei- s-sgs4s5 ss8
Timely Helps on Important Subject for
Poultrymen from u. Of M. Expert. \
In recent edition of Timely Helps
for Farmers which is now being sent out,
w. F. Schoppe, assistant professor of
animal industry, treats of lice and mites
on fowls, advocating the utmost cleanli-
ness as preventive and several specific
treatments when plant has become
infested.
The two varieties of lice that are most
common pass their entire life on the
fowl, the eggs being laid in clusters
upon the down of the feathers about the
vent. A second generation from
single louise may number $500 individ-
ua's, a third five times as many and may
be produced in the course of two months.
They do not spring spontaneo usly from
dirt and filth but such conditions favor
their growth. Unhealthy or unthrifty
birds are most subject to attacks by
parasites and for similar reasons some
varieties are more liable to be infested
than others. Contagion may come at
any time through purchased birds or
those that have become infested at
shows or other places.
with ordinary cleanliness and suit
able provision for the fowls busting
themselves" says Prof. Schoppe, "there
should be little difficulty for healthy
birds to kee p themselves free from lice. :"
Sunlight, ventilation and freedom from
droppings and litter, together with a
large box of sandy loan so arranged
that it is not in draft, are among the
recommendations of the gentleman.
The routine method as practced at
the Station is outlined, by which chicks
are Matched in incubators and reared in
brooders, the growing chicks never being
allowed to come in contact with old hens,
and the method Of giving the annual
thorough cleaning of the houses is
described. This is done late in August
or early in September; they are first
scraped, secured and washed out with
the hose, then sprayed twice with a
cresol solution and later, roosting boards,
nests, floors and walls are thoroughly
sprayed with a lice paint containing
three parts kerosene and one part crude
carbollc acid. Yearling birds kept over
are busted several times successfully at
intervals of several days with lice pow
der made of three parts gasoline, one
part cresol, with plaster of paris enough
10 take up the moisture.
| busting is also recommended if the
hen is to hatch chicks, once when put on
the nest, again the 18th day and just
before the eggs pip. Treating of hen
and chicks when taken from the nest
and once week for three weeks is also
advocated. In the chicks the lice will
be found on the head and under the
wings, the usual method of treatment
being the application of grease, the fol-
lowing ointment being preferred. One
teacup of soft lard or vaseline and
teaspoonful of kerosene, keeping the
chicks from the strong sun until dried.
Cresol soap is used for disinfecting
purposes at the Station and the follow
ing directions for making it are given in
the following bulletin: Measure out
three and one-ffth quarts of raw lin
seed oil in four or five gallon stone
crock; then weigh out in a dish one
pound, SIX ounces Of commercial lye or
Rabbits potash. Dissolve this I've in
as little water as will completely dis
solve it. Start with one-half pint of
water, and If this will not dissolve all
the I've add more water slowly. Let this
stand for at least three hours until the
I've is completely dissolved and the solu-
ton very slowly to the linseed oil, STIR
minutes should be taken for the adding
of this solution of I've to the oil. After
/ the lye is added continue the stirring
until the mixture is in the condition and
has the texture of smooth homogene-
GUS liquid soap. This ought not to take
more than half hour. Then while the
soap is in this liquid state, and before it
has chance to harden, add with con-
slant stirring, eight ard one-half quarts
OF commercial cresol. The cresol will
blend perfectly with the soap solution
and make a clear, dark brown fluid. The
resulting solution will mix in any proper
ton with water and yield clear solu-
ton. 1t is powerful disinfectant,
two or thee tablespoonful to gallon
OF water making q satisfactory solution
which can be applied with spray pump
or brush.
The same methods of handling lice ap-
ply to mites, but the latter do not breed
on the fowl; they breed in litter and filth
infesting the birds al night to feed; if
thick they may be found on brooding or
laying hens during the day $50 raven
GUS is this pest in its attack says
Prof. Schoppe, that the birds soon be-
come emaciated and detected in their ap-
pearance, stop laying and lose weight
rapidly. Setting hens are sometimes
driven from their nests by mites, persist
ent sitters may be killed; mites will at
tack the chicks and may even kill them
before they can get out OF the Shell. -
To get rid of the pest thorough clean
ing is advocated, and the use OF hot
water or cold water under heavy pres
sure. The sprays advocated are the
cresol first mentioned; a second is four
gallons of whitewash, quart OF creso
and a quart of kerosene mixed, strained
and sprayed over the places where mites
collect. A third spray is made of three
parts kerosene to one part crude car
bolic acid, put on with pump or brush.
Use plenty of solution" says the writ
err, land flood every crack or crevice,
giving a second application in few
days. After this thorough cleaning the
mites can be held in check by two or
three sprayings year.
Scaly leg is shown to be caused by
minute insect excavating under the skin
of the leg and living and breeding there.
Carbolated, vaseline is recommended
here, or dipping the legs in mixture of
kerosene and linseed oil, half and half,
or one part kerosene to two of raw lin
seed oil. 1t can be done easily at night;
hold the affected parts in the mixture
fo, n v,oo,,oopf Of fbopo drin then ra.