The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-05-18
KEEP CHICKENS
FREE OF MITES
BY Prof. Byron Alder
Poultry Husbandman, Utah Agricul-
tural College.


fowls usually at night only long en-
ough TO suck its body full OF blood.
then craving of to some secluded
| place. The accumulation OF dropping
and filth in a poorly ventilated, damp
house affords very favorable condi-
tons for this very numerous enemy.
Keep the building well ventilated and
clean. Spray the entire inside twice
year with whitewash made in the
ordinary way with one pint of crude
carbOlic acid to each gallon of white
wash, then paint the perches once
week with kerosene after adding
about 6 ounces of carbolic acid TO d
gallon. Keep this mixture in ma
chine oil can and soak thoroughly ali
cracks or corners that show any in
dication of mites as often as they are
seen, and the building and fowls will
soon be free from one of the smallest
but without doubt one Of the worst
Of poultry pests.
Lice live and breed on the bodies Of
the fowls and feed on the surface
scales around the base of the feathers.
If the fowls have dust bath or dust
wallOw there will be but a few lice
on their bodies. An occasional dust
ing with some good lice powder, dur
ing which the fowl is held by the
legs, and the powder sifted from a
perforated cen and rubbed we'll into
the feathers with the hand, will aid
liz. In, ha Of a
chickens from this pest A good pow
der may be made by taking one part
cresol to three gasoline. Mix this
thoroughly then add enough unfib-
cred plaster. little at a time, stirring
continually, until all the liquid has
ish powder. Blue ointment is also an
excellent remedy for lice. This is
poison and should be handled care
fully. Take a small piece about the
size of a pea and rub 1t well into
the base of the feathers ON the abdo-
men in the fun just below the vent.
Scaly leg. which is caused by very
tiny insect getting under the scales
Of the legs forcing them out and
causing the legs to appear rough and
knOtty, is very common among the
general purpose fowls. This disease
is not noticed by many until the legs
are swollen so much that the fowls
can hardly walk. 1t is easily con-
trolled by rubbing the legs in the
early stages of the disease with lard
and kerosene equal parts, or by the
application of vaseline or other oily
mixtures.
These pests do not often kill n
fowl. but they sap the vitality and
weaken a hen so that she lays few
or no eggs, and is readily overcome
by some minor ailments that would
have little or no effect on a strong
vigorous animal.
All diseased birds should be isolat-
ed as soon as any ailmcnt is noticed,
so as not to endanger the rest of the
flock, in case they should have
contagious disease.
For colds or Group disinfect the
drinking water by adding or 8 drops
Of carbollc acid to each gallon Of wa.
ter or the amount of permanganate OF
potash that will stay on a dime. Stir
thoroughly.
Keep the fowls in clean. sanitary
quarters and thus have strong and
vigorous birds.
DO not overfeed or make the hens
lazy. Avoid feeding rood with strong
Favored or partially spoiled food of
any kind.
The following references are given
for further study and more detailed
Information Farmers bulletins may be
obtained free as long as the supply
lasts by applying to the L. S. De
partment OF Agriculture. or 70 one of
the Utah Congressman in Washington,
ID. G.
Farmers Bulletin No. PA. Method
Of Feeding Poultry.
Farmers Bulletin No. PSI, Poultry
Management
Farmers Bulletin No. 52s. Hints to
Poultry Raisers.
Farmers Bulletin No. ga. Poultry
House Construction.
Farmers Bulletin No 90, shipping
Eggs by Parcel lost
Utah Experiment station Circular
No. Il. Housing Farm Poultry.
Growing weeds love a lazy farmer.
A flower In the front yard is worth
a dozen in the forest
Farmers who plant their potatoes in
the moon are likely 70 reap their
harvest il the stars.
In dry countries water is worth
more than gold But who would allow
a stream Of gold to 20 70 waste as We
On allow water 70 dof
Every day that alfalfa Is allowed TO
stand after Il Is ready to cut takes
money from the hank account
Proper nourishmen for the family
means fewer doctor bills as well as
greater efficiency.