216 Diseases of Poultry 



nesting material. Clean and when possible scrub or wash 

 with a stream from the hose all the perches, nests, floors and 

 walls. Spray or paint the perches, nests, walls and floors with 

 a 5 per cent solution of cresol (see Chapter II for directions 

 for making this). Professor H. C. Pierce has tested various 

 remedies for mites and finds none so efl'ective as this. Use 

 plenty of solution and make the spraying thorough. Every 

 crack and crevice should be flooded. 



Another spray successfully used is : 3 parts kerosene 

 and 1 part crude carbolic acid. Still a third, kerosene emul- 

 sion is recommended by the United States Department of 

 Agriculture. Their method of making this spray as given 

 in Circular No. 92 is as follows : " To make this, shave ^ 

 pound of hard soap into 1 gallon of soft water and boil the 

 mixture until the soap is dissolved. Then remove it to a 

 safe distance from the fire and stir into it at once, while still 

 hot, 2 gallons of kerosene or coal oil. The result is a thick, 

 creamy emulsion. Dilute this stock mixture with 10 parts 

 of soft water, and apply as a spray or with a brush, being 

 careful to work it into all cracks, crevices, and joints of the 

 building." 



With any of these sprays it is necessary to make two or 

 more applications at intervals of a few days to destroy the 

 mites which hatch after the first application. The liquid 

 may be put on with a hand spray pump or with a brush. 

 Cleanliness, fresh air and sunlight are cheap and effective 

 preventives. 



Scaly Leg 



A minute mite, Knemidocoptes (Dermatoryctes) (Sarcopfes) 

 mutans, is the cause of a contagious disease affecting the 

 legs of fowls, turkeys, pheasants, partridges and cage birds. 

 According to some authorities it sometimes affects the comb 

 and beak also. The mites excavate places under the skin 



