140 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



quently with two per cent, carbolic acid solution tends to 

 keep away all injurious insects. 



Ticks and jigger fleas that attach themselves to the 

 comb and wattles or skin of fowl may be smeared with 

 carbolated vaseline to loosen their grip and close their 

 careers. The kerosene or carbolic emulsion already de- 

 scribed will answer the same purpose. 



DEPLUMING MITES. 



A minute insect sometimes lives on the fowl at the 

 bases of the quills of the feathers and by its operations 

 weakens the plumage. If these mites are numerous their 

 attacks may eventually cause the feathers to break off 

 oy fall away. 



The neck and head of the fowl may thus become 

 bare. The exposed skin is soft and smooth and may have 

 a pinkish tint. Feathers bordering on the bare spots 

 come out easily and at the bases of their quills the de- 

 pluming mites may be detected by the aid of a magnify- 

 ing lense of low power. 



Treatment consists in simply rubbing carbolated 

 vaseline into the skin, daily, where the insects are work- 

 ing. 



SCABBY LEGS. 



The form of scabies which affects the legs and toes 

 of fowls is due to the burrowing of a kind of mite under 

 the scales. The shanks assume an uneven appearance 

 and become crusted with a mealy substance. The mites 

 which cause this disorder may pass from one fowl to 

 another and thus carry the trouble through a flock. 



To destroy the insects stand the fowl in a pail of 

 warm, soapy water long enough to soften the scales. 

 Remove any scates that become loosened and burn the 

 same with any adhering crusts or dust. Clean the legs 

 and toes, then rub gently but thoroughly with carbolated 

 vaseline. Treat daily with the ointment until cured. 



