DISEASES AND PREDATORY ANIMALS 



however, the body lice are not present in sufficient num- 

 bers to cause any particularly injurious effect to the ma- 

 ture fowls but they do cause considerable irritation and 

 are injurious to the young turkeys. The shaft louse of 

 chickens has also been found on turkeys but does not 

 seem to be very prevalent. 



Where the young poults become badly infested with 

 lice of any kind they usually grow weaker and weaker 

 until they finally die. Due to lack of attention to keeping 

 down lice this is one of the most important causes of 

 high mortality in young turkeys. Head lice are the most 

 serious and cause most of the trouble. If the young tur- 

 keys are examined, head lice if present will be found on 

 the top of the head above and in front of the eyes and 

 under the throat where they Surrow into the skin. In 

 addition to the head lice small white lice are frequently 

 found in large numbers along the wing bar in the hollows 

 or creases between the quills of the flight feathers. Some- 

 times these places will be found to be literally alive with 

 these lice. They are also found occasionally below the 

 vent. 



The first principle to be observed in combating lice is 

 to prevent their occurrence insofar as possible. When 

 hen turkeys are set they should be dusted -with some good 

 insect powder before being put on the nest and several 

 times during the period of incubation. If this is thor- 

 oughly done they will be freed of lice and no difficulty will 

 be encountered with the poults on this account. If one 

 neglects to dust the hens during the time they are sitting 



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