The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-24
PouItryman Must Fight Against
Them nc All Times or They
Will Cause Damage.
MANY VARIETIES OF THEM
Must BE Eradicated by Means
of Powder, Liquid and
Ointments.
NJ Prof. y. u. sTONEBURN.

NfOnlOUtN ulSSlnllllH DfrfndnNSSns kdlll-
sc. Knemldocoptes mutans! These aro
surely awe Inspiring names for the tiny
creatures which poultrymen commonly
call THE pesky lice and mites" but these
pests do enough damage to Justify giving
them the most impressive titles.
Fortunately u Is not necessary FOR tho
working poultryinan to memorizo me sell
cntlfc names of or learn to identify the
various species. But he should have a
keen realization OF the fact that these
tiny parasites may have n decidedly in
furious effect upon his fowls, and he
should learn just how To keep them In
check Further. he should make persist
ent. practical use OF this knowledge 9th
erwise he VIII surely fan TO secure the
satisfactory returns from his flock that
might otherwise be calred.
Lice AM mites viii be found In VARYING
numbers In most poultry plants. Where
few are present they probably do little
harm but It II always we'll to fight them
regularly IN order 10 prevent them from
multiplying TO such an extent a. to be-
come dangerous The best plan IS to acl
as thougf they We're actually do!ng dam
age and make the work Of determination
A regular part OF the schedule OF required
duties.
Sometimes one hears the remark that
no lice are to be found on certain plant,
since the chicks were all Matched In In
cubators. reared In breeders and placed
In new, clean bindings Unfortunately,
they may be carried by that common WIS.,
hor to chicken yards. the English spar.
row. And when A few individuals get
settled In new quarters they promptly
rear large families, and the plague spreads
rapidly.
When examining hens for the presence
n body lice special attention should bs
given the tluny feathers. particularly
near the vent The adult Ice will be
readtly observed II present. Also the clus-
ters OF eggs upon the feathers. These lat
ter hatch within a few days after being
deposited, the young lice being small In
size, pale In color, active and troublesome
The common body lice OF poultry do not
have piercing mouths. but are able to
bite They seem TO subsist upon certain
portions Of the feathers and the skin of
their host. Although they are not blood
suckers they cause much annoyance and
discomfort. biting the skin and inducing
violent itching. Healthy. active birds arc
able 10 stand their presence. hut there is
no doubt that In many cases they actually
hasten the death OF individuals which be-
come diseased
They are particularly troublesome to
little chicks. preventing them from rest
ing quietly and in many cases torturlng
them until death must DC a relief.
These lice are frequently observed on
nesting material and thoy probably PASS
from bird to bird by this route. They
seem to thrive in damp. dark. filthy.
porly ventilated places. and poultry
buildings In which these conditions exist
are almost certain TO be infested.
Treatment to be effective should in
ciude both the birds and their living
quarters. The houses should be thor
oughly cleaned, dislnfected and kept In
sanitary condition. Remove all nesting
material and litter. Scrapc the roosts
and dropping boards Then spray or
paint all woodwork with which the birds
come in contact
There are several liquid lice killers or
lice paints which may be purchased for
this purpose. or satisfactory mixtures
may be compounded at home. Three
parts OF kerosene oil and one part crude
carbolic acid Ia staple combinatio
Some poultrymen report excellent success
from the use OF kerosene oil IN which
naphthalene flakes or moth balls have
been dissolved Kerosene emulsion Is
somewhat harder 10 prepare than either
~ the above, but II II pleasant to use and
Ia most effective This Is made by dis
solving n half pound OF hard soap shaved
f1ne. In "A gallon Of soft water. This is
best accomplished by boiling. Remove
from the fire and vigorously stir In two
gallons OF kerosene oil. A thick creamy
emulsion will result and this is the stock
mixture. Dilute with soft water. ter
parts to one part OF the stock mixture
and the material Is ready for use.
The spraying or painting should be done
at intervals OF a few days until the pests
are well suhjugatcd. After that an ap.
plication every few weeks will do nicely
Provide dust baths for the birds. II
carth floors are used In the houses, the
fowls Will make wallowing places for
themselves. During the dry months they
win do the same IN the yards provided
the soil Is light and dry. Otherwise lin.
sral sized boxes OF finely sifted soil should
Ne supplied Through wallowlng in this
ane material they will brush of o,
smother many or their unwelcome Wis
itors.
In addition the attendant should dust
his stock. treating each bird Individually
and thoroughly with some good powdered
Ice killer. There are many reliabl,
preparations OF this kind on the market
dependable lice powder may be mad,
vt small cost by following these direo
lions:
Mix three parts OF gasolene and on,
part crude carbolic acid OF 1896 per cent
strength. Or three parts OF gasolene ant
one part cresol.
Add to this mixture. stirring visorousl,
meanwhile, plaster OF parts 10 absorb al
the moisture. This usually requires abou
four quarts of the plaster OF paris to on,
quart OF the liquid. The two should b,
thoroughly Incorporated, thus making
dry powder pinkish brown In color
should be kept In tightly closed boxes o.
cans.
Common Persian insect powder IL ais,
very effective. II may be purchased a
most drug stores, but In many localities
- rather expensive.
When going over a nock OF hens Gtvini
Individual treatment, II IL best to worl
At night by lantern light. The birds ma,
then be lifted from the roost. busted an,
returned to their places without the .x
element which accompanies catching then
iu,..Ig the hours OF daylight
A large tray or shallow box should b
crowded TO catch any powder which slft
III the birds during the busting process
Hold the patient by the legs head down
ward, above the tray. Sprinkle a liberia
amount OF the powder into the fun, alon
the back and beneath the wings. The
with the fingers work this into the bas
OF the feathers.
As an additional precaut,on rub a SINAI
amount OF blue ointment on the fun
feathers about the vent.
erai times at short intervals In order I
destroy the young lice which hatch fror
the eggs already deposited. After tn
birds are freed from the lice an occasions
treatment will keep the latter In check
Young chicks may he busted an
creased with lard, Rub the latter into IN
down on head. neck. under wings and III
"a a