310 Farm Poultry 



which would be reared within three months, 

 more than 100,000 individuals. As the weaker 

 fowls of the flock are most likely to be infested, 

 lice are often detected by the unthrifty condition 

 of such birds. Upon examination, large numbers 

 of these lice may be seen crawling over the skin 

 underneath the feathers. They will likely be 

 most prevalent on those parts which the fowl 

 cannot reach with the bill. 



Remedies. Fowls may be effectually treated 

 in several ways. Substances may be put upon 

 the bird which will poison the lice, or the pests 

 may be driven off by making the fowl an uncon- 

 genial home for them, or they may be killed by 

 the application of substances, like oil, which 

 stop the breathing pores and thus cause them 

 to die of suffocation. The last plan is prefer- 

 able in the case of young chickens and weak 

 fowls. Little chickens when but a few days 

 old are frequently infested with lice from the 

 mother or from the surroundings. As these little 

 chickens are delicate, a few lice will cause 

 serious trouble. In this case, it is usually advis- 

 able to place a few drops of oil on the head 

 and perhaps on the wings and throat of each 

 chicken. Sweet oil or lard oil may be used. 

 Other oils of about the same consistency may 

 answer the purpose quite as well. Older fowls 

 should be given an opportunity to take dust 



