Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-07-10
HOW TO KEEP FOWLS
FREE FROM VERMlN
Hookom Tells of Best Methods oil
Eradicating of Lice and Mites
from Poultry.

space to the following:
Lice and mites hinder the growth
of fowls, reduce the quantity and
quality of flesh, and lower the egg
production by making the fowls un-
thrifty and uncomfortable
There are several species Of chicken
lice, commonly spoken of as head lice,
body lice and feather lice according
to the place where found on the bird.
The body lice are the most irritat-
ing to the fowl because they stay
on the bare skin. The various kinds of
lice deposit their eggs at the bases of
the feathers. The eggs hatch in from
four to six days, and in seventeen to
twenty days the lice are full grown.
AS each female deposits many eggs
it is readily seen that fowls infested
will soon swarm with lice. The lice
have biting mouth-parts and feed on
scales from the skin and feathers.
They do not eat the living tissue of
the fowl.
The control measures are the same
for the different species of lice. The
lice live on the fowls all the time.
Those which fall off with the
feathers soon die; hence the
fowls must be treated. There are
three methods: the dust bath, busting
with specially prepared powder and
dipping in liquid solution. Shallow
boxes filled with fine road dust CT
ashes are used in giving the dust bath.
When the hen dusts herself the lice
will choke to death because their
breathing pores will become filed
Pyrethrum or other powders on the
market may be added to the dust,
making it more effective.
busting the fowl by applying pow
der directly to the hen gives better
immediate results. The hen is grasped
by the feet and held over large shall
low pan with one hand while with
the ether pinches of powder are plac-
ed among the feathers next to the
skin on the head, neck, breast, tail,
under the vent, under each wing and
on the back in two or three places.
This process with the common pow
ders must be repeated at least three
times to catch the lice which hatch
after the first busting as the powder
does not kill the eggs, but by using
the latest and highly recommended
"pCwdered sodium f1uOride" one appli-
cation will completely destroy all the
the lice.
The dipping method cannot be used
in cold weather unless heated room
is available. It. is however a very
satisfactory and economical method.
Tepid water is placed in a tub and
three-fOurths to one ounce CT CONNER
cially fluoride or two-thirds of an
ounce of chemically pure sodium f1uo-
ride is added to each gallon of water.
This is Dissolved by stirring. The fowl
held by the wings is dipped into the
the solution, and the feathers are
ruffled to allow the solution to pene-
trate. Then the head is ducked into
the solution and the fowl is held up to
drain for few seconds.
Mites require different treatment,
because mites do not make fowls their
home but their feeding ground. They
hide in cracks and crevices during
the day time and come out and feed
on the blood of the hens at night.
The mites deposit their eggs in the
crevices where they live, the eggs
hatch in two or three days and in
seven days the mites are full grown.
Mites because of their peculiarities
are often not detected until their
effects on the fowls are noticed. In
badly infected houses the chickens
became droopy and weak, with pale
combs and wattles. Sitting hens are
often attacked and sometimes killed
out right by the mites. The adult
mites are four-hundreds of an inch
long, gray when hungry and decidedly
red when filled with blood. In the
control of mites cleanliness is of prime
importance, as any rubbish in the
poultry house provides hiding and
breeding places. Nests and roosts
should be easily removed and cleaned.
The walls should be free from cracks.
The interior of the house should be
cleaned in the spring and the fall
KEROSENE should be used freely on the
rOOsts and In the nests. The whole
interior of the house should be treat
ed with four parts crude oil and one
part KEROSENE This should be repeat
ed every three days for two weeks to
catch later matches. Pure kerOsine,
kerosine emulsion double the strength
used on plants, and arsenical dips
used as sprays give satisfactory re-
suits. II weather permits fowls to be
outside then fumigatiOn may be used.
This method will kill all the mites,
also any lice present. All the fowls
must be removed and the windows
and doors closed. Then in an iron
vessel on some sand in the middle of
floor are placed shavings soaked with
kercsine. On top of the shavings is
sprinkled one pound of sulphur per
100 square feet floor space. The shaw:
ings are lighted and the house left
closed After four hours the hOuse
should be thoroly aired. AS this will
not kill the eggs of the mites the
operation must be repeated once or
twice every three days.
Any of the above methods will ex-
terminate the lice or mites if proper
ly followed.