FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI. 447 



PACKING. 



For shipping pack as closely as possible into close boxes or barrels, 

 nicely lined with white or manila paper; do not use brown, soiled or printed 

 paper. Have the package completely filled so as to prevent the poultry from 

 shifting about in transit; do not use hay or straw for packing, as it marks 

 Or stains the fowls and detracts from their value. The above method can 

 only be used when the poultry is sent to market without being packed in 

 ice, and when this can be done with safety, either in refrigerator cars or for 

 a short distance in cold weather, it is by far the best. The greater part, 

 however, must be packed in ice. When necessary to do this, use nice, clean 

 barrels. Cover the bottom with broken ice; then put in a layer of poultry, 

 then a layer of ice; continue thus until the barrel is packed solid and full. 

 Always use perfectly clean ice for packing. Head the barrel tightly and 

 mark its contents plainly on the head, and never ship mixed lots of poultry 

 in the same package if it can be avoided. 



PARASITES AND DISEASES. 



No kind of young poultry is so susceptible to the effects of unfavorable 

 conditions as young turkeys. They must be carefully protected from attacks 

 of parasites and from excessive heat and dampness until they have gained 

 sufficient strength and size to wander away with the parent turkeys and care 

 for themselves upon the range. 



INSECT PARASITES. 



The chief danger from lice and mite attacks to the poults is directly after 

 the poults are hatched; but the best remedy is to deal with the hen before 

 the young are hatched. The plumage of the hen should be dusted with 

 insect powder close down to the skin from head to hock joint, being careful 

 not to get it into the eyes. This should be done at least twice a week until 

 within two or three days before hatching. The most careful attention should 

 be given to this. Never use lime or sulphur for this purpose. Nothing is 

 better than Persian insect powder, but any good insect powder will answer 

 the purpose if it does not contain ingredients that are injurious to the eyes. 



It may often occur, however, that the hen will not have been properly 

 treated, and so lice and mites will be found on the young; and in order that 

 the poults may live and thrive, they must be freed of these enemies. As 

 soon as the young are ready to leave the nest they must be examined 

 carefully for lice, which may be on top of the head, under the throat, or 

 about the wings or vent. Some of them are gray in color and difficult to 

 see. They may be destroyed by the use of sweet oil, rubbing a very small 

 amount upon the head and throat; insect powder is sufficient for the other 

 parts of the body. It is very important that only a small amount of the 

 sweet oil be used, as too much is injurious. Kerosene should never be used 

 to destroy parasites. 



GAPES. 



After external parasites, the most destructive ailment of young turkeys 

 is gapes. 



