The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-12-20
ERADICATE LICE
FROM HEN FLOCK
Tons of Valuable Feed in Form
Of Energy and Body Food
Consumed by Pests.
SODIUM FlUORlDE IN FAVOR
following Melting Insects Are Usually
Reduced In Number but II Not
All Destroyed They Multiply
Fast In Winter.

Tons Of valuable chicken feed which
poultrymen give to their fowls is
wasted. Although 1t Is eaten by the
birds, 1t does not go to produce eggs
or meat. 1t Is consumed, In the form
of energy or body food. by millions of
lice which work unseen, In many
cases, to the poultrymen. Feed Is too
high and meat too scarce to permit
this waste to go on. To keep birds
healthy, to utilize to the fullest extent
ell of the available feed, and to pro-
duce winter eggs, it Is necessary to
get rid of lice.
Investigations Of the bureau Of en-
tomOlogy of the United States depart
ment of agriculture show that over
try are lousy. Many of these are so
lousy that they are maintained at a
loss. Others have some lice-even a
few are too many and should not be
tOlerated--and the owners do not
know 1t or are Indifferent to their
presence.
Late fall is the best time to eradl-
cate lice from the flock. At this sea-
son chickens are largely matured and
the flock Is reduced In size for winter
through culling out undesirable birds.
AT this season, too, poultry are con-
fined in the poultry house more than
they have been during the spring and
summer seasons, aud the lice have a
greater opportunity to carry on their
work of destruction. Following mott
ing the lice are usually reduced In
numbers, but II they are not all de-
stroyed they multiply greatly during
the winter. This causes reduced egg
production, loss in flesh and lowered
vitality. Lice also have been found to
gnaw the feathers to such an extent
that protection from the cold Of win
ter Is greatly reduced. The plumage
of show birds Is also damaged by
them.
Complete Destruction Possible.
The complete eradication Of all lice
from a flock is easy and inexpensive.
Dust or dip every fowl once with
sodium fiuoride and the lice are ban
ished IL lousy chickens are not intro
duced. About twelve small pinches of
sodium fluoride are sufficient for each
fowl II placed In the feathers next to
the skin. Each different part of the
bird should be treated, that Is, the
head, neck, back, breast, below vent,
wings and tail. This so-called "pinch"
method of application Is advised for
small flocks. For focks of 20 or more
the dipping method is the best.
Choose a warm. sunny day for dipping.
Place from seven to ten gallons of
lukewarm water In a tub and add
three level tablespoonfuls of sodium
fiuoride for each gallon. The fowls
are held by the wings with one hand
and lowered beneath the water except
the head. With the other hand the
feathers should be rufiled to. permit
the dip to enter them. Duck the head
completely under once or twice. fol-
lowed by raising the head apd neck
feathers with the fingers.
No Injury to Fowls.
There Is absolutely no injury to
fowls by treatment with sodium
Huoride, and by dipping, as outlined
above. the feathers are not wet very
much and the birds dry quickly. his
Is very different from the. case In dip
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