I o J AX. , 1 9 1 • ] Poultry Farming on Small Holdings. 



Hen Flea. 



This pest is dull yellow in colour, with darkish sides; is angular in. 

 front, and has four bristles and a few hairs on lower parts, oval-shaped. 

 It is the most active of any of the insects which attack poultry, and is 

 smooth to the touch ; it cannot live upon the human subject, and soon 

 dies. Male birds should always be sprinkled with insectibane prior to- 

 their being placed in the breeding pen, as the flea is transmitted from bird 

 to bird, its favourite spot being close to the vent. Insectibane should always 

 be used ; on no account should fowls be dipped in any solution, such as- 

 kerosene or phenyle, as the quill feather is verv sensitive to anv dip. 



HEALTHY SHANK AND FOOT. 

 (The result of proper attention and treatment.) 



SCALY LEG. 

 CBroujrlit on by dirty fowl houses and runs.) 



Fowls will never fatten when the hen flea is present on the body ; it 

 also predisposes birds to disease. More than half the poultry breeders'' 

 troubles are brought about by this worst of all pests (save the fowl tick). 

 It attacks young chicks under the wings and on the head. A good plan 

 is to put a little carbolic paste at the back of the head. The greatest 

 care is necessary in cleaning up the droppings every day as thepest thrives, 

 best in filth. Spraying once each week the chicken brooders with kerosene 

 and carbolic acid diluted will be the &ure.st plan to adopt, as it will 

 ans-vver a double purpose — disinfect the brooders and destroy the parasites. 



