PNSECTS AND: OTHER TROUBLES 139 
which causes great mortality among young chicks, 
although it is also found and is propagated on mature 
birds. Finally, there is the red mite, which preys 
on the poultry at night and seeks shelter during the 
day in crevices and corners and under the roosting 
perch. Turn over these perches in many hen houses, 
and the under side will be found fairly red with 
tiny mites. Like the head louse, they suck the blood 
of the hens and sap their vitality as well as causing 
extreme discomfort. 
The fecundity of hen lice is amazing. Start with 
one female under favorable conditions and in two 
months her progeny will number 125,000. Is it any 
wonder that constant activity on the part of the at- 
tendant is necessary? 
And yet the amateur need not be discouraged. 
It is not impossible to keep the pests in subjection. 
Filth is most favorable to the increase of vermin, 
and so the house must be kept reasonably clean. 
Plenty of opportunity to dust themselves will be 
all the hens ask, as a rule, in order to keep them- 
selves fairly free of lice on their bodies in the day 
time. The fowls are completely at the mercy of 
the red mites, however, and the poultry keeper must 
take a hand in their extermination by making fre- 
