28 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Jan., 1910. 



Fowl Tick. 



Although dusting the birds at times with insectibaiie will rid them of 

 the hen flea, yet it is almost useless when fowl tick {Argas americanus) 

 makes its appearance. Fortunateh- Victoria is almost rid of this deadly 

 pest, but in parts of the Ri\erina in New South Wales and along the 

 Murray frontages in South Australia, the tick thrives and destroys thousands 

 of chickens annually. It is much to be regretted that the neighbouring 

 States do not assist more to eradicate the worst enemv the laving hen 

 has to contend with. It is not advisable to purchase poultrv from tick in- 

 fested arens. 



The tick belongs to the spider familv, having eight legs, and should 

 not be confounded with the wood bug. It is' of a slate colour and is oval- 

 shaped, the female being twice as large as the male. The young ticks are 

 about one-fourth the size of the male, and are of a reddish brown colour. 

 The female lays as man} as one hundred and three eggs at one period. 

 These are generally laid in cracks and crevices in old perches and in the 

 houses and fences, so that the pest is not one to be trifled with. Kerosene 

 is by far the most effecti\-e remedv, both for the tick and for her eggs, but 

 when an outbreak occurs, the quickest and safest plan is to burn down the 

 old buildings. 



Lice and Mites. 



The two most difficult and common parasites which trouble ^xjultry are 

 the hen louse and the red mite. These pests are universal and cause 

 immense damage everv year to the poultry industry. Lice feed on the 

 feathers and on the dead cuticle of the birds, while the mites gnaw the 

 flesh and suck the blood. 



'If lice are present in large numl^ers, thev mav be easily detected under 

 the wings, or close to the vent. As a rule, mites do not remain on the fowls 

 during the day, but secrete themselves urider the perches, in crevices and 

 cracks. At night they are very active and attack the fowls on the roost. 

 When satisfied, they \vill have a very red appearance, due to the quantity 

 of blood they have drawn from the birds' bodies. Their whereabouts 

 may be detected by making an examination of the perches, especiallv where 

 cracks exist, for signs of their excrement, which is of a greyish white 

 colour, and very minute, similar to fly specks, but lighter in colour. 



Lice more usually attack birds that are confined, or Birds lacking in 

 health and vigour. The debilitated bird is a sure \ictim and it is 

 astonishing with what rapidity the lice multiply. Sick fowls of any kind 

 should be kept at a distance frcm others- 

 It is just as important to isolate a debilitated bird, as it is in a case of 

 roup, as the lice are very rapid in their movements and may find a 

 resting place on hens or chickens near by. Usually a hen that is active 

 and has access to a dust bath will not be troubled much. Care should 

 be taken when purchasing new stud birds to thoroughly dust them with 

 insectibane l:)efore placing in the breeding pens. It will be more effective 

 if sprayed under the wings and tail, and around the fluffy portion. 



Mites are not easily got rid of when once they get a hold. Careless- 

 ness is responsible in most cases ; for instance, in permitting the droppings 

 to remain on the floor too long, not gathering up the old feathers, or 

 neglecting to give the building a good wash of crude carbolic acid. 



The whole of the fixtures should be taken down — perches, nests, and 

 any old bagging that has been used to .stop up cracks. In many cases, 

 the wisest course would be to burn the lot. Thoroughly spray with a 



