The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1919-12-31
CHICKEN PARASITES DEMAND
ATTENTION IN WINTER
Keeping the Flock Free of Vcrmin In
duces Greater Egg Production and
Cheaper Meat-Forty Kinds of
Lice Annoy Hens--How to Drive
Them from Flock.

Insects are enemies of flock profits.
Heavy infestations of hers by para
sites interfere with egg yield and ex-
ert an Objectionable OBJECT on the gen
eral condition Of the flock, inasmuch
as they are a source of annoyance and
discomfort. During the winter season
maintained indoors much of the time,
it is particularly essential that the
fowls be protected against losses from
mites, lice, ard other obnoxious YER
min which multiply in the poultry
dwelling.
Knowing that poultry mites hide
away in cracks and crevices during the
daytime, the vital control which
should be Immediately enforced is
thorough cleaning of the interior of
the houses, roosts, and nests, and
thereafter a spray thoroughly with
kerosene, crude oil, or some heavy
coal-tar preparation. 1t is highly im-
perative that the spray should penc-
trate to all the cracks, crcvices, cram |
nies, and corners where the mites |
may be hiding. The heavy coal-tar !
preparations are most effective and .
most enduring in control work of this :
sort. They can be purchased at most !
drug stores with full directions. for
mixing and use.
Forty Thieves of Flo:k Profits
There are more than 40 distinct
species of lice which are a source of
annoyance to adult poul-
try, as we'll as to the young chickens,
according to poultry specialists of the
United States Department of Agri-
culture. The fact that the army of
invaders is SO numerous and varie-
gated is of special moment and neccs-
states persistent and continuous con-
troll practices. At present, when the
prices Of all feeds are abnormaly high
it is particularly essential that the
realize the maximum re-
turn from his expenditures for feed
stutfs. To such an end it is ncedful
hat all such unwelcome guests as
ice, mites, and other ravaging marau-
lers be barred from the flock.
Dust Bath for Biddy
There should be place in the yard
,r house where the hens can dust them
selves in the dry dirt. If it is neces-
iar yto provide an artificial medium
FOR this work, a box about two feet
square, filled with ordinary road dust
or fine dirt, should be made constant
y accessible to the matrons and mis-
'es Of the flock. The hens must be
Kept as free as possible from infection
BY insect enemies, and if the birds
can not gain this end by
Individual busting the owner should
institute artificial control measures.
To rid the hens of lice each one
should be treated by placing small
pinches of sodium fluorid, material
which can be obtained at most large
drug stores, among the features next
one on the neck, two on the back, one
On the breast, one below the vent, one
1T the base of the TAIL one on either
side, and one scattered on the un-
lerside of each wing when spread. An
'thcr method is to use a small guam
,lty of blue ointment, piece about as
arge as q pea, on the skin | inch be-
ow the vent. If mercurial ointment
8 used instead Of blue ointment it
should be diluted with an equal guam
,ity Of vaseline. Any of these me-
hods will be found very effective in
'idding the hens Of lice, and should
'e employed whenever the lice become
Two or three applica-
ions year usually prove sufficient
Mics are more troublesome and
more harmful than lice. They do not
i've upon the birds like the lice, but
Turing the day hide in the cracks and
,reViccs Of the roosts and walls Of the
house, and at night they emerge and
wander around upon the fowls. They
suck the hens blood, and if allowed
% become plcntiful-as they certainly
will if not destroyed seriously
affect her health and consequently
ncr ability to lay eggs. They may be
,radicated by a few thorough appli-
cations Of Kerosene, or some Of the
n,1 70,