The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-10-22
Rid Houses and
Hens Of Vernin
Big Drawback to Success
With Poultry Is Presence
of Parasites.
(Preparedg by the United States Department

ffl OK ABrlcultur0.l
One Of the most. important hin
ORANGES to successful poultry keeping
Is the external parasites infesting
poultry and poultry houses. Where
present In any considerable numbers
these parasites reduce egg produc-
ton, lower the quality Of the flesh,
and retard the growth Of all classes
Of poultry.
The presence Of mites In the chick
en- house in indicated by small areas
on the boards specked with black and
white as though busted with salt
and pepper. This is the excrement
of the mites, which. during the day,
are hidden in cracks or crevices Of
the roosts and walls Of the house,
but which come out at night and get
upon the fowls. Except in the case Of
sitting hens, the common chicken mite
does not ordinarily attack poultry
during the day.
Means Of Eradication.
The mites may be eradicated by a
few thorough applications of kerosene
or some of the coal-tar products sold
for this purpose, or crude petroleum,
to the interior Of the poultry house,
including the floor. The commercial
coal-tar products are more expensive,
but retain their killing power longer
than the crude petroleum or kerosene.
OF these, commercial carbolineum In
particular has proved very effective.
The cost Of treatment with the coal
tar products may be lessened by add
ing thereto an equal quantity OF kero-
sene. Both crude petroleum and
carbolineum will spray better If
thinned with one part kerosene to
three parts Of the other materials. 1t
is well to strain both the crude pc
troleum and coal-tar products to re-
move foreign particles. Care must be
taken to see that the spray reaches
all the cracks and crevices. giving spe-
cial attention to the roosts, dropping
boards, and nests. Repeat the treat
ment two or three times at intervals
Of a week or ten days.
The feather mite is similar in ap-
nearance IN the common red or gray
chicken mite but unlike that parasite
remains on the fowls continuously. the
eggs being deposited and Matching
among the feathers, where the young
mites may complete their growth
Their entire DEVELOPMENT Is accom-
plished without leaving the bird. They
ere most numerous below the vent.
about the tail and sometimes on the
neck An effective remedy for this
mite consists in dinninp Attracted birds
A. = solution composed az follows !:
T,awers ~ aurnhur. ounces.
Soap. ounce.
The feathers should be thoroughly
wet to the skin. and the heat sub
merged for onlv an. instant During
cold weather IT is advisable TO dust
tbe fowls With flowers of sulnhur in
stead Of dipping. the feathers being
raised so as to insure getting the
sulphur to the skin.
Another Harmful Parasite.
Another very harmful parasite Is
the scaly-leg mite that usually remains
on the feet. which, in the absence
of treatment often become badly dis
torted. making It difficult for the
fowl to walk or get ND to the perch.
Anplication Of crude petroleum to the
ieg. either BY dipping or with 6 brush.
ia a very effectiye remedy.
Cbigrers harvest mitesl sometimes
attack poultry. especially young chick
ems. In some cases causing serious