CHAPTER VII 

 Parasites and Diseases 



Parasites both external and internal, are detrimental 

 to poultry and poultry profits in two ways. They are 

 the direct cause of annoyance, suffering and loss, and by 

 their silent, secret work they prepare the way for debility 

 and disease, which too often results in the death of the 

 fowls and the destruction of the poultryman's hones. 



EXTERNAL PARASITES. 



Few poultry keepers realize the extent to which 

 external parasites prevail upon fowls and in their shel- 

 ters. 



There are many kinds of these minute pests of poul- 

 try. Some of these insects cause itching of the skin, the 

 irritation tending to uneasiness and discomfort of the 

 fowls. Others injure the feathers, either in the quill or 

 the web and some of these may cause the plumage to 

 fall off. Others burrow under the scales of the shanks 

 and toes, others gnaw the skin and tissues and yet 

 others suck the blood of the birds through the skin. 



All of these are enemies to successful poultry-keep- 

 ing. 



Whenever fowls appear to be out of condition or sick 

 in any way the first thing to ascertain is whether their 

 bodies are afflicted with parasites of any kind or not. 



Precautions should be taken to prevent the presence, 

 in the poultry quarters, of any and all of these pestifer- 

 ous creatures. 



Cleanliness of the fowls and of their surroundings is 

 a wonderful hindrance to their presence. The poultry 

 house should be thoroughly cleaned out at least once, or 

 better, two or more times annually. 



Spraying the interior and furnishings of the hen 

 house with a two per cent, solution of carboMc acid 



