, 1918-12-12
ERADICATE lice
FROM HEN FLOCK
Tons of Valuable Feed in Form
of Energy and Body Food
Consumed by Pests.
SODIUM FLUORIDE IN FAVOR
Following Noting Insects Arc Usually
Reduced In Number but II MOI
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
all 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
90 per cent Of the focks Of this coun-
try are lousy. Many Of these are SO
lousy that they are maintained at a
loss. Others nave some lice-even a
few are too many and should not be
to~lerated-and he owners do not
know it or are Indifferent to their
presence.
Late fall is the best time to eradi-
cate lice from the flock. At this sea-
sui ShiShCh5 dhC iof6CAy ~
the flock is reduced In size for winter
through culling out undesirable birds.
At this season, too, poultry r con-
fined In the poultry house more than
they have been during the spring and
summer seasons, n the lice have a
greater opportunity to carry On their
work of destruction. Following molt-
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 g
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 II lousy chickens are not intro
duced. About twelve small plnches Of
sodium fuoride are sufficient for each
fowl IL 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 fiocks. For fiocks of % 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 t~ablespoonfuls 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 ruffied to permit
the dip to enter them. Duck the head
completely under once or twice, fol-
lowed by raising the head and neck
feathers with the fingers.
No Injury to Fowls.
There is absolutely no injury to
fowls by treatment with sodium
fiuoride, and by dipping. as outlined
above, the feathers are not wet very
much and the birds dry quickly. Ihis
is very different from the case in dip
ping fowls In ~creosote compounds and