]Many people ayIio keep a few hens consider the infestation by lice 

 a natural state of affairs, and so long as the lice are not so excessively 

 numerous as to interfere seriously in egg production no attempts are 

 made to exterminate them. Lice, however, are readily killed by a 

 number of substances, although there is more or less difficulty in 

 getting at them. Hidden among the feathers or close against the 

 body the parasites are secure against am^ remedy unless it be applied 

 very thoroughly. Moreover, one application is not enough. ^Vliat 

 will kill the lice may not affect the eggs or " nits," so it is necessary 

 to repeat within a few days any method of treatment that may be 

 used. 



Carbolic acid, tobacco, sulphur, naphthaline, or any oily substance 

 will kill the lice if it touches them. 



Carbolic acid must be handled with great care, for it is a burning 

 poison. It is used mixed Avith lime or kerosene. To make the lime 

 mixture, stir 2 ounces of 00 per cent carbolic acid in 1 pint of cold 

 water, sprinkle it in a half bushel of lime, and leave the lime to air 

 slake. This can be sprinkled anywhere about the henhouse, but is 

 most effective if put in the nests and mixed with the dust in the 

 "wallow." If kerosene is used, take 2 ounces of carbolic acid to 1 

 gallon of kerosene, stir it thoroughly, and paint the mixture upon the 

 roosts and nests, keeping the poultry out of the house until the mix- 

 ture is dry. 



Tobacco is used as an infusion, made by pouring hot water on 

 tobacco stems. The hens are dipped into the liquid thus made. This 

 is not a pleasant method to practice, and care should be taken to pre- 

 vent the foAvls from taking cold. Tobacco dust is the basis of various 

 powders which are advertised to be used against lice. Their value 

 depends largely upon the strength and freshness of the components. 

 They are often used successfully, although frequentl}^ they are ex- 

 pensive. 



Sulphur mixed wnth air-slaked lime, 10 pounds of sulphur to a half 

 bushel of lime, is also often used against lice. This may be scattered 

 everywhere in the house, or mixed in the dust wallow. Sulphur can 

 also be used in fumigation. To avoid danger from fire, the sulphur 

 or sulphur candle should be put on an old tin can or something simi- 

 lar, and this placed in the middle of a pan of wet ashes or earth. 

 Light the candle and shut the house tightly for several hours; then 

 air it well before allowing the hens to enter. 



Kerosene may be used in conjunction with naphthaline. Dissolve 

 in kerosene all the flake naphthaline it will take, and paint the 

 roosts and nests with this saturated solution every week or so for a 

 few months. Sawdust wet with this liquid may be placed in the 



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