330 EXPERIMENTAL EAR MS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 

 RED MITES. AN INQUIRY AND REPLY. 



The following note and answer will convey information that will doubtless be use- 

 ful to many poultry keepers : — 



' Elgix, Ont., December 23, 1901. 

 ' Manager Poultry Dept., 



' Experimental Earm, Ottawa. 



' Sm, — Will you be kind enough to tell me what will get rid of lice on hens and in 

 their house? In the summer the house and roosts swarmed with little insects that 

 could scarcely be seen. And they are still in the house. If I go in I am covered with 

 them. I have used a good deal of stuff, but cannot get rid of them. Hoping to get a 

 remedy for them. 



' J. J. KV 



A reply was sent that the fowls should be carefully dusted with carbolic powder. 

 If the fowls were in large numbers one of the liquid preparations was advised as the 

 most speedy way in which to meet the difficulty. These liquid lice-destroying prepara- 

 tions have, in recent years, been put upon the market and are said to be efficient. Eor 

 red mites the following remedy was advised : — A solution of 



Corrosive sublimate 4 ounces. 



Common salt 1 " 



Dissolve in two to four quarts of water. When completely dissolved dilute to 25 

 gallons. 



With this carefully spray every crevice, nook and corner of the house. 



As the solution is highly poisonous, care should be observed in handling it. 



Eollow by whitewashing the premises. Before returning the fowls to the poultry- 

 house see that they are entirely free from vermin. This treatment has been found 

 efficacious in many cases, and is the quickest and surest method of getting rid of the 

 troublesome pests. A good plan to prevent the lodgment of lice on the roosting places 

 and platforms is to dampen both roosts and platforms once every ten or fourteen days 

 with coal oil. Scaly leg will also be prevented. 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



Symptoms of many diseases of poultry were described and remedies asked for 

 during the year. Many of the ailments were forms of liver affection due to overfeed- 

 ing and lack of exercise, particularly in the case of two and three-year old hens of the 

 heavier breeds. A liver pill and a change in the manner of feeding the rations and 

 quantity fed were advised. Many cases of cold and slight catarrh were also reported. 

 In such cases the removal of the cause, if apparent, was advised with the use of a good 

 condition powder and roup pills, when easily procured. Coal oil in the incipient stages 

 is recommended. 



