=^^ 



29 



powders contain carbolic acid in sufficient quantities to injure surface 

 veins and arteries. 



HOW TO DUST. — Dusting is best done by two people, one holding 

 the fowl and one applying the powder. Place the hen on her side on the 

 bottom of a cracker box. Lift the wing on the upper side of the body and 

 rub the dust well into her skin and on her breast. Repeat the action when 

 she is turned on her other side and also rub the powder well into the feath- 

 ers about her rump and the top and back of the head. The use of the box 

 saves a great deal of powder from being wasted. Cloth drums especially 

 designed for dusting are sold by poultry dealers but are not necessary. 

 The best time for applying the powder is when the hens are taken off for 

 feeding. If possible, it is a good idea to provide a bath of road dust or 

 fine ashes in each run, but where many hens are being handled this is out 

 of the question. 



MITES. — These tiny red insects will frequently annoy a setting hen 

 so that she will be broken up. They work at night and, if a hen is sus- 

 pected of being the victim of their attack, it is well to make an examina- 

 tion of the bird and nest after dark, a pocket searchlight being well adapted 

 to this purpose. They leave specks on the eggs and frequently cause the 

 hen to assume a half-standing posture, and it is by these two signs that 

 their presence is most frequently detected. Once the breeder is assured 

 that they exist, the entire nest should be burned, the coop well sprayed 

 with zenoleum, and moved to a new location. The hen and eggs may be 

 lightly sprayed also. 



BROKEN EGGS. — When an egg is broken, it is, of course, removed. 

 The nest should be remade and such of the remaining eggs as have come in 

 contact with the contents of the broken egg should be wiped with a clean 

 cloth moistened with tepid water and dried with an unmoistened cloth. 



It is well to have a few extra hens on domestic eggs so that they may 

 be used if any of the regular setters are broken up. Either this precaution 

 or the employment of a small incubator is almost a necessity. 



It may be that our beginner at pheasant breeding has been compelled 

 to start with purchased eggs instead of breeding stock and, if so, there is 

 nothing to be added to what has been said above further than to advise the 

 purchase of eggs as early in the season as possible. Place your order in 

 February or March if you can, and preferably pay the higher price asked 

 by reliable dealers. Names of dealers will be sent if inquiry is made of 

 the American Game Protective Association, 2273 Woolworth Building, 

 New York City. Most breeders keep shipped eggs twenty-four hours 

 after receipt, turning them once in that time. Some hold that they may 

 with safety be placed under the hen immediately. 



