344 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



clover as a noon meal in summer or winter. As in all cases, clean water and 

 houses go with good care. Rub the legs with arnica and add half a teaspoon- 

 ful of tincture of nux vomica to each quart of drinking water. Do not confuse 

 leg weakness with rheumatism. In the latter disease, there is always swollen 

 joints. A good bran or meat meal containing at least one-fifth bone should 

 be made part of the morning mash, proportion : One part meal to six of grain 

 and clover. 



A good food is to give bran, wheat and oatmeal; skirn milk instead 

 of water. Cook oatmeal and when cool add 30 drops of diluted phosphoric 

 acid for each bird affected and give twice daily. Give from 3 to 6 grains citrate 

 of iron each day as a tonic. 



One teaspoonful of air-slaked lime daily to each five chickens has proven 

 good. 



Lice. 



Lice are almost always present in small numbers and may become a 

 serious pest if neglected. 



Symptoms. The fowl shows signs of irritation, cannot rest and looks 

 unthrifty. Sometimes setting hens leave their nests before hatching time, and 

 upon examination it will be found that the presence of lice is the cause of it. 

 They will be found largely under the wings, about the vent and on the head 

 and neck. It is with young chicks that lice work the worst havoc. They are 

 usually found under the throat and on the top of the head. 



Treatment. Lice are found deep among the feathers and any treatment 

 to be, successful must reach them. Dust the fowls with some good lice killer. 

 Persian insect powder, or powdered sulphur are very successful. Use a box 

 with a perforated cover and dust the fowls after they have gone to roost. 

 Hold the hen firmly by the legs, head downward, and sift the powder through 

 the loosened feathers. Dust at least three times about a week apart. Begin 

 the fight early. There is no harm in giving the fowls an application even in 

 midwinter. As they are seldom entirely free from lice this will keep them 

 from getting a start. Dust setting hens with the powder before putting them 

 on the nest. 



For young chicks make an ointment of sulphur and lard, rub under the 

 throat and on top and back of the head. 



Rub a little sweet oil, vaseline or lard where they are. 



Road dust 2 quarts, and tobacco dust 1 pint, or well sifted hard coal 

 ashes may be substituted for the road dust and Persian insect powder or 

 flowers of sulphur may be used in place of tobacco dust. The principal thing 

 is to have the ingredients mixed to a very fine dust. 



One teaspoonful of sulphur in the feed for 20 chicks or a tablespoonful for 

 20 adult fowls is good. A large quantity will not hurt them. Repeat every 

 day until the lice are, gone. Some say not to feed sulphur in wet weather but 

 it will not hurt the chickens. 



Put a few drops of kerosene (coal oil) on hens' wings and in hovering 

 the chicks they will get sufficient on them to destroy the lice. 



