Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-01
IMPORTANCE OF SANITATION.
Free Use of Insecticides, Etc, Neces-
sary in Summer.

A correspondent, writing to the editor
Of the poultry column of The Sunday
Star from nearby Maryland town. asks
the reason for the frequent repetition of
advice as to the free use of insecticides.
disinfectants, etc. in the poultry houses.
"One would think. from the frequency
with which poultrymen are urged to be
liberal in their use Of such things, the
correspondent writes, that feeding was
a secondary consideration, and that the
welfare Of the flock depended altogether
on the free and liberal use OF insect ex-
terminators and the like"
While the correspondent evidently did
not think SO, from the general tone OF the
letter, nevertheless he was not Tar from
the truth During the summer months
sprays, powders, etc, in fighting insect
posts and insantary conditions in and
about the poultry houses is scarcely less
important than proper and regular reed
ing of the fowls. If the flock has ample l.
range, as on the farm, the fowls will OBJ
tain enough insects, worms and the like
to give them about all the animal food
they require while the clover, grass. weed
seeds, etc, they find in the course of the
day will keep them in fair condition. This
IA by no means to be taken as advice
against proper and regular feeding. even
in the summer; it is simply an Illustration.
But no flock. no matter how care
fully fed. can be healthy, vigorous and
profitable il the individuals of that
flock are infested with host of insect
pests that sap them of blood, rob them
of rest at night and keep them busy
day and night scratching and fighting
to rid themselves of their unwelcome
parasites.
The common poultry louise is not the
most serious pest that lowers the gen
eral health and efficiency Of the flock.
While the insect remains on the fowls
all the time, sucking at the blood of
the fowls day and night. its ravages
really are not as serious as those Of
the red mite, which attacks the fowls
only at night and which harbors in
crevices OF the roosts. crannies in the
house, etc. during the day. At night,
however. the red mite energies from
it's hiding place and annoys the fowls
all night, biting and sucking blood un-
til the approach of dawn, when it
excited and generally miserab le.
Fowls that are the victims of the red
mites and the common poultry louise
lose their appetite, become thin and
gaunt. with reduced vitality and speed
lily show general loss of condition by
refusing to lay, losing weight, etc.
This occurs, no matter how literally
the hens may be fed.
For this reason too much emphasis
cannot be laid on the Importance, the
sectfcides: and for this reason the ad-
vice has been reiterated-perhaps to
the point of tiresomeness-in this COL
umn to use insecticide sprays and
powders freely and often in the hem
houses. Many thoroughly reliable and
dependable insecticides are on the
market. which may be bought with the
full assurance that they will do the
work for which they are intended. If,
however. the poultryman does not care
to buy his insecticides. bear in mind
that the base of most Of them is creo-
sote or carbolic acid-both coal tar
products-which may be bought at
most drug stores are compounded to
meet the individual requirements of
the poultryman or in accordance with
one or another of the various formu-
las published in poultry and farm jour
nails.
Next to insect pests. the poultry dis
tons In and around the houses are the
cause of the heaviest losses in the
poultry business. Given a flock of
hens infested with insects and housed
In insanitary quarters. and conditions
are ideal for an epidemic that will re-
move those fowls quickly from this
vale of tears. Therefore the Free lib
eral and frequent use of disinfectants
course. to frequent and thorough
cleaning of the houses.
To sum up. therefore, flock of
hens may be fed exactly in accordance
with the best usage, but if the hens of
that flock are constantly fighting in
sect pests and are further Handicapped
by being compelled to live and breathe
in an insanitary atmosphere, those
hens not only will not lay, but they
will not even make good table poultry
Whereas. flock of hens kept free from
insect pests and housed in quarters
that are kept in a perfectly clean and
sanitary condition. even if they are
not fed exactly in accordance with
prescribed rules, will remain vigorous
and healthy. and such hens cannot
help laying at least during a great part
of the year when they are able to
hustle for good part of their living