POULTRY VERMIN. 303 



precautions are therefore advisable, as special measures may 

 be necessary. 



Fleas or Lice are most common in the nests and in the 

 sitting hen, from which they may infest a brood of chickens. 

 When either abound, nest material should be frequently 

 changed, and wild fern or bracken, if it can be obtained, 

 will be found much less infested by them than straw. The 

 birds themselves should be treated individually, a mixture of 

 two parts Dalmatian (or that bearing any other name, all are 

 the same) insect powder and one part powdered sulphur, 

 being well rubbed into the plumage. The heads should be 

 touched with carbolised oil, or oil with a little kerosene in 

 it, which can also be slightly applied under the wings. A 

 French paper states that these pests may be kept away from 

 nests by blowing out an egg through holes in the two ends, 

 and placing therein some eucalyptus oil. This is done by 

 cutting a few long narrow strips of sponge, moistening them 

 with water, and then rolling them tightly and closely round 

 with twine from end to end. When dry, the twine is un- 

 wound, the sponge retains its shape, and can be passed end- 

 ways through the hole into the shell. Eucalyptus oil is 

 then dropped in to saturate the sponge, the holes are 

 sealed up with wax, and the oil exhales through the shell. 

 Perforated eggs of enamelled metal can now be obtained, 

 in which disinfectants or insecticide can be introduced. One 

 of these will permeate a nest and do much to keep away 

 insect vermin. 



Mites are the worst of insect vermin, and are often un- 

 suspected because nocturnal. When they have got a footing, 

 they come out in myria is and attack the fowls or chickens 

 all night, the blood giving them the red colour so familiar. 

 Their haunts are cracks, and intervals between two pieces 

 of wood. Perches must be made movable where they are 

 found, and taken out weekly in summer for the ends in 



